This is the second article in a series of three that aim to address the issue of ecotourism destinations in Romania. The first article addressed the history of the development of the concept, and the third will address the current situation of the network of ecotourism destinations.

The contemporary lifestyle, with a fast pace, with stressful and often sedentary activities, as well as the awareness of the level of pollution and its negative effects determine us, for a large part of us, to want to escape in nature, to look for places where we can eat healthier, from local products, to hang out with the locals or to do activities as diverse as possible in nature. Therefore, those destinations that manage to have such an offer and, in addition, show care for the natural environment and for the locals are much appreciated by a large part of tourists. We call these types of destinations ecotourism destinations, and they are becoming more and more appreciated and sought after both internationally and in Romania. In this context, two questions arise:

• how can tourists identify ecotourism destinations? and
• how can local partners in a destination, such as town halls, accommodation units and guides, coordinate on the direction of ecotourism development?