COURSE CONTENT
Ecotour Management (BTR101)
Bushcraft & Wilderness Skills (BTR201)
Ecotourism Tour Guide Course (BTR301)
b) A workplace project or work experience (approved by a tutor and equal to 200 hours)
First ModuleECOTOUR MANAGEMENT
COURSE STRUCTURE
Nature and Scope of Ecotourism -
Definition of ecotourism
Negative ecotourism
Principles of ecotourism
Management Issues -
Recreation and the environment
recreational impacts on the environment
ethical and legal concerns
code of practice for ecotourism operators
incorporating ecotourism principles into activities
interpretation
visitor guidelines
planning for minimal impact
quality control
Industry Destinations -
The ecotourism market
what do ecotourists want?
trends in international tourism
understanding the needs of the consumer
consumer expectations
The Tour Desk/Office -
Office procedures
providing information
employment prospects in ecotourism
bookings
business letters
telephone manner
Accommodation Facilities -
Types of accommodation facilities
layout of facilities
Catering Facilities -
Introduction to catering
accepted practice for service facilities
storing and preserving food
Legal Considerations -
National Parks
land use/planning restrictions
code of practice
Safety-
The safety strategy
hazards
first aid
Planning an Ecotourism Activity -
budget
accommodation
licenses
meals
destination
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
AIMS
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 possibilities (in the learner's country).
Explain the management and operation of an ecotourism office.
Explain the management of ecotourist accommodation facilities including:
camp sites
cabins
caravans
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 for an ecotourism activity.
"I am learning so much" J. Alderton
Second Module BUSHCRAFT & WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES
COURSE STRUCTURE There are 10 lessons as follows:
Understanding Wilderness Areas
Equipment
Protection from the Elements
Natural Resources
Navigation
Dealing with Emergencies
Camping
Passive Land Based Activities
Water Based Adventure Activities
Active Land Based Adventure Activites
AIMS
To appreciate the scope and implications of ecotourism opportunities in wilderness areas.
To be able to prepare for an excursion into a wilderness area
To determine appropriate methods of protecting against the elements.
To determine different uses for natural resources in the wilderness.
To be able to navigate in a wilderness area using a variety of different techniques.
To deal with a range of emergencies in a wilderness situation, including developing contingency plans and determining appropriate first aid.
Explain campsite establishment and management.
Determine appropriate procedures for managing different passive wilderness activities.
Determine appropriate procedures for managing different water based wilderness activities.
Determine appropriate procedures for managing different active wilderness activities.
Third Module
ECOTOURISM TOUR GUIDE
COURSE STRUCTURE
Ecotourism Basics –
Definition of ecotourism
Negative ecotourism
Ecotourist profile
Administrative concerns
Safety
Interpretive Services in Ecotourism –
Interpretation as a key element of ecotourism
Interpretation techniques
Sign design
Ecology and Conservation –
Definition of ecology
Ecosystem function
The web of life
Habitat and niche
Humans in the environment
Plant and Animal Classification and Identification –
Classification of organisms
Basic taxonomy
Using keys for identification
Other methods of identification
Geology/Geomorphology –
Types of rocks
Types of minerals
Soils
Soil formation
Soil classification
Interpreting Aquatic Environments –
Marine environments
Freshwater environments
Fish
Shells
Crustaceans
Interpreting Land Environments –
Introduction to interpreting land environments
Relevance of interpreting land environments
Planning an Ecotour –
Destination
Transportation
Accommodation
Ecotour Displays –
Design concepts
Zoo design techniques
Leading an Ecotour –
Advertising
Group preparation
Planning the tour
Group surveys for feedback
AIMS
An ability to analyse the structure of interpretive ecotourism in your country.
To recognise factors of the environment and their significance to ecotourism.
To plan an ecotour.
Create/develop interpretation aids for a selected ecotourism activity.
Develop a display with an ecotourism theme.
Determine the specific name of a range of natural features in a selected wilderness area including:
Birds
Fish
Shells
Other animals
Plants
Lead an interpretive tour with an ecotourism theme.
Develop innovative concepts in interpretation for a selected aquatic ecotourism activity.
Develop innovative concepts in interpretation for a selected ecotourism activity in a land environment.
Determine the specific name of a range of natural features in a selected wilderness area including, where appropriate:
Fossils
Rocks
Land formations
Soil types
Geothermal features
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
Develop your ability to establish, operate and manage an ecotourism enterprise and increase your knowledge in all aspects of running such a venture; through studies covering management of issues such as safety, legal consideratons, destinations, accommodation, and management issues, planning, organising and conducting ecotourism services (such as guiding and tours).This is awarded upon completion of: a) Three Ecotourism courses and b) A workplace project or work experience (approved by a tutor and equal to 200 hours)
