NGOs have become involved in ecotourism because of its potential to balance economic development, environmental conservation, and socio-cultural revitalization. However, some critics have associated ecotourism with neo-colonialism and with the perpetuation of economic and political hegemonies because the concept has been advanced from the West . The present study adopts a qualitative research approach to explore the merits of two opposing viewsthat NGOs facilitate and advance sustainable development or are agents of neo-colonialism. The researchers focus on a nation which was spared the experience of colonization -Ethiopiato explore whether ecotourism practice can be accurately characterized as "neo-colonial". Through a close examination of NGO involvement in ecotourism, the authors challenge the widely held view that NGOs use sustainable development as a pretext to promote neo-colonial ideas. The paper contributes to theory and practice by explaining the relationship between neo-colonialism and ecotourism. Implications and opportunities for future research are also discussed.