Lesson Structure: Ecotour Management BTR101

There are 9 lessons:

1  Nature & Scope of Ecotourism

• Introduction
• Elements of Ecotourism: 1 Nature 2 Education/Interpretation 3 Cultural Impacts 4. Sustainability 5. Financial Aspects
• Case Study: Bhutan – A different approach
• Principles of Ecotourism
• Comparison of two different sets of Ecotourism principles: 1 National Ecotourism Accreditation Program 2 The International Ecotourism Society
• Nature Based Tourism is not necessarily Ecotourism
• Who Are The Ecotourists?
• Ecotour Reviews

2 Management Issues

• Recreation and the Environment
• What is Recreation?
• The Environment
• Environmentally-based Recreation Aactivities
• Recreational Impact on the Environment
• Ethical Concerns
• How are these principles incorporated into ecotourism experiences and activities?
• Wildland Adventures Ecotravel Principles and Practices
• Community Based Tourism & Culturally Sensitive Operations
• Legal Concerns
• Interpretation
• Five Principles of Interpretation
• Some active interpretation ideas
• Visitor Guidelines
• Quality Control in Ecotourism
• Planning for minimal impact
• Management Research
• Consultation
• Obtain relevant permits
• Monitoring
• Developing a minimal impact operations manual

3 Industry Destinations

• Classifying Ecotourists
• Understanding the Ecotourist Market
• Trends in International Tourism Markets
• Understanding the needs of the Consumer
• Cultural differences
• Expectations
• What do ecotourist want?
• A Destination Profile: Tourism possibilities in Mexico
• New Aspects in Ecotourism: 1 Conservation Volunteerism 2 Carbon Credits/Offsets  3 Green Architecture 4 Agro-ecotourism
• What Makes a Good Ecotourism Destination? Location, Location, Location
• Access & Infrastructure
• Public Policy
• Hazards
• The Paradoxes of Ecotourism

4 The Tour Desk/Office

• The Ecotourism Business Operation
• Business Planning
• Mission Statement
• Objectives
• SWOT: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
• Marketing
• Finance
• Sales/Bookings
• Staff
• Sample Job Description
• Accreditation
• Tour Desks
• Green actions in Office Management
• Attraction Sustainable Development & Management
• Business Professionalism
• Business Letters
• Using the Telephone
• Emails

5 Accommodation Facilities

• Introduction
• Accommodation facilities
• Eco-Accomodation as the Attraction
• Accomodationas Incidental to the Ecotourism
• Accommodation on Tour
• Minimising Impacts from Camping on Tour
• Other facilities
• Decisions for Ecotour Operations and Guides

6 Catering Facilities

• Accepted Practise for Service Facilities In Relation To Local Communities
• Equipment
• Foods
• Making Your Owm – Foods for on Tour
• Meats
• Specialised Diets
• Food wastes
• Water
• Water in Developing Countries
• Drinking Water
• Water Containers

7  Legal Considerations

• Environmental Regulations
• Protected Areas
• National Parks (e.g. Australia)
• Land Use/Planning Restrictions
• What is Risk in Ecotourism?
• Risk Reduction
• Legal Liability
• Insurance
• Copyright
• Waivers
• Client Information
• Extractive Ecotourism
• Consumer Rights

8  Safety

• Potential Hazards: Boating and rivers, Wild animals, Exposure to weather and natural forces, Other Accidents, Training, Equipment, Personal safety gear, Hygiene, Guest Participation
• First Aid
• Safety: Controlling Participants in Ecotourism Activities, When To Cancel
• Guidelines for Wilderness Safety: Dos and Don’ts
• Search and Rescue Services
• Example of the Operation of a Wilderness Rescue

9  Planning an Ecotourism Activity

PBL (Problem Based Learning) Project

PROJECT TITLE: PLANNING AN ECOTOUR

1. Project aim

Plan a one day ecotour for a specified group of people (e.g. a group of elderly women; a mixed group of overseas tourists; a class of primary school children; a group interested in environmental issues).

2. Learning Outcomes

Identify main needs and concerns of key stakeholders (such as activities and resources for handicapped visitors; concerns for child safety; need to avoid damage to the site);
Identify a tour destination suitable for the specified group of people, according to stated criteria.
Establish realistic parameters for a 1 day tour (such as limits to budget, time and resources etc.)
Design an activity program appropriate to the site and available resources;
Outline the accommodation, transport, meals and activities for the planned ecotour.
List the licenses and fees that must be paid for the planned ecotour.
Plan a budget for the cost/charges for the planned ecotour.
Establish a procedure for reviewing and evaluating the tour.

3. Problem Definition

You are required to plan a 1 day ecotour for the identified group. These clients are not familiar with the destination or the local area. Your plan must consider budget, time and other limitations, and the general cost to the participants.Your task: Design a 1 day ecotour that is suitable and affordable for the identified group. Present your design in a report that addresses each of the learning outcomes listed above.

Learning Goals:  Ecotour Management BTR101

• Describe the scope of ecotourism experiences available
• Determine management issues related to ecotourism activities/enterprises, giving due
• consideration to environmental and ethical concerns
• Develop in the learner an awareness of ecotourism destinations in existence and new possibilities
• Explain the management and operation of an ecotourism office
• Explain the management of ecotourism accommodation facilities including: camp sites, cabins,
• caravans, and resorts
• Identify catering options for different ecotourism activities
• Identify legal and statutory requirements for the establishment and operation of an ecotourism
• enterprise
• Identify/establish safety precautions/requirements/procedures for an ecotourism enterprise
• Plan an eco-tour activity

Practicals: Ecotour Management BTR101

• Prepare reviews of six different ecotourism destinations
• Contact travel agencies and information centres to research the scope of ecotourism activities available in your area
• Contact a range of ecotourism operators to research their concerns for the environment
• Determine three examples of ecotourism activities that have had undesirable social or environmental impacts
• Report on the relevance of indigenous culture to ecotourism in your locality
• Carry out research into desirable ecotourism destinations
• Identify potential ecotourism activities in your locality
• Observe the administrative operations of an existing ecotourism venture
• Establish administrative procedures for your own hypothetical ecotourism enterprise
• Inspect an ecotourism accommodation facility
• Research the statutory/legislative requirements for setting up ecotourism accommodation in your locality
• Determine suitable layout for an ecotourism accommodation facility
• Visit at least two suppliers of outdoor/recreation camping and cooking equipment
• Contact your local health department or similar to find out causes of food poisoning and how it can be prevented
• Make contact with several local ecotourism associations to research membership requirements
• Research law and regulations in your state that may affect the operation of an ecotourism enterprise
• Contact at least two insurance brokers for their recommendations on the type of insurance needed for a proposed ecotourism activity
• Research safety notification requirements in a natural area
• Interview someone who has been involved in the planning and/or delivery of an ecotourism activity.

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General

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