CANAECO bases its philosophy on the following definitions of ecotourism and sustainable tourism:
Sustainable Tourism
"Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities."
UNWTO
Ecotourism
“It is the specialized segment of responsible tourism, which promotes and supports the conservation of nature and the cultural values of the various locations, interpreting them for general public, and sponsoring the socio-economic improvement of local communities in an ethical fashion, aiming to increase awareness and satisfaction of external customers. Its activities are designed to be carried out in accordance with the environment, leading its customers to a direct and personal contact with nature and the local culture”.
International Forum of Ecotourism – Central America, CANAECO, 2004