The fact is that numerous environmental groups had been formed in the 1980s (including birdwatching groups, wilderness protection associations and trail societies), and for years they had been promoting activities that resembled ecotourism. Rather than seeking tourist hot spots, they emphasized environmental concern and education, promoting mountain or shoreline tours that stressed observing nature.
事實上，在此之前，台灣在一九八○年代陸續成立不少民間環保社團，如各地鳥會、荒野保護協會、步道協會等，多年來一直在推動與生態旅遊精神相近的深度旅遊，他們不以熱門觀光點為訴求，而以關懷和學習的態度，在山巔海濱進行自然觀察體驗。