Qualification - Proficiency Award In Ecotourism

Study Ecotourism for Professional Development

This specialist ecotourism course enables you to gain a specific qualification in ecotourism.

Study three Ecotourism Modules (Ecotour Management, Bushcraft and Wilderness Skills, Ecotour Tour Guide).

Outlines of these three can be seen below.

Then complete a workplace project.

Modules

Note that each module in the Qualification - Proficiency Award In Ecotourism is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

What is Ecotourism?

The definition of ecotourism provides a framework from which to explore the criteria of what makes ecotourism;

1.      Nature

Nearly all definitions of ecotourism include the focus on the natural environment.  This focus is flexible and allows the focus to range from say a biome such as a rain forest and all that it includes to a narrow product focus on a single species.  Thus the focus may be holistic or elemental, although it is best to consider a single species in the context of its broader environment to provide a better educational outcome.

Many ecotourism ventures focus on certain elements in nature; these elements are commonly referred to as ‘charismatic megafauna/megaflora/megaliths’.  Megafauna include any animal species that provide a target such as whales, lions, birds and even insects.  Megaflora includes plant species such as rafflesia in Indonesia, while Megaliths are natural formations such Mt Everest and other geographic features of interest. 

Additionally it is also unwise to separate one element from any cultural background or context due to the paucity of environments that are untouched by humans.  Thus an element is not only placed in the broader environmental context but also in the human/cultural context providing the visitor with the most realistic and in-depth experience.

2.      Education/Interpretation

Later definitions include an emphasis on education as an essential part of ecotourism. This aspect is broad enough to encompass a spectrum of learning ranging from highly organised formal education to self guided tours or even entertainment. 

There is argument that ecotourism should be teaching ‘preferred behaviour’ as a way of instigating preferred outcomes for the target product, however this is not considered necessary for the product to be considered educational.  Effective interpretation is essential educational means for not just providing facts and figures, but to reveal the complex relationships found in nature as well as encouraging appropriate behaviour to minimise impacts and to improve outcomes for the element in focus.

Interpretations can be either off-site or on-site.  Off site interpretation includes guidebooks, information and images on website, brochures or even word of mouth.  This is important as it influences the visitor’s decision to visit the attraction but also establishes future behaviours, expectations and images in the visitor which can have a dramatic effect upon their actual experience.   On site interpretation includes visitor facilities, self guided and guided tours.

3. Cultural Impacts

The inclusion of the cultural welfare of the local/indigenous populations as a key component in ecotourism was introduced to reduce exploitive practices by foreign owned companies that essentially were not investing back into the local economy or environment and used locals in the lowest entry level employment. 

It makes sense to involve the local community, garner their support and interest by making it benefit them as this is most likely to lead to the protection of the natural attractions.   In some cases lack of consideration of the cultural impacts has lead to mass displacement of indigenous populations and destruction of natural resources.  The most famous example of this is the displacement of approximately 70% of the Masai people for the creation of game parks in a pattern that was repeated across eastern Africa.