An eco-hotel is designed to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. Its criteria typically include:
- Dependence on the natural environment is actually a characteristic of eco-hotels, as they rely on their natural surroundings for resources.
- Ecological sustainability is a core principle of eco-hotels, ensuring that their operations are sustainable and have minimal environmental impact.
- Proven contribution to conservation is another important characteristic, as eco-hotels actively participate in environmental conservation efforts.
However, Negligible economic return to the community is not a characteristic of eco-hotels. In fact, eco-hotels often aim to contribute positively to the local economy by supporting sustainable development and providing employment opportunities.
Thus, the correct answer is Negligible economic return to the community.