• Most affluent people live in cities and suburbs. When they look for a holiday; for many, there is a big attraction to visit places that are away from these heavily developed environments!
• A holiday in the country, mountains, or by the sea is very attractive; and the prospect of getting close to nature is very attractive. Ecotourism is all about providing that type of experience.
• Business opportunities in ecotourism are as diverse as your imagination. You can start an ecotourism business on a small scale with very little capital investment; or if you have the resources, develop something much larger 

1. Introduction –
   • Business law
   • Types of businesses
   • Starting a business
2. Finance –
   • Liquidity
   • The money market
   • Terminology
   • Insurance
3. Financial Records –
   • Simple Bookkeeping procedures
   • cash flow
4. Financial Management –
   • Taxation
   • costing
   • budgeting
   • investing
5. Business Planning – Developing a 12 month business plant.
6. Mistakes to avoid –
   • Reasons for business failures
   • Profitability
   • Improving productivity

There are 9 lessons as follows:

1. Nature and Scope of Ecotourism -
   • Definition of ecotourism
   • Negative ecotourism
   • Principles of ecotourism
2. 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
3. Industry Destinations -
   • The ecotourism market
   • what do ecotourists want?
   • trends in international tourism
   • understanding the needs of the consumer
   • consumer expectations
4. The Tour Desk/Office -
   • Office procedures
   • providing information
   • employment prospects in ecotourism
   • bookings
   • business letters
   • telephone manner
5. Accommodation Facilities -
   • Types of accommodation facilities
   • layout of facilities
6. Catering Facilities -
   • Introduction to catering
   • accepted practice for service facilities
   • storing and preserving food
7. Legal Considerations -
   • National Parks
   • land use/planning restrictions
   • code of practice
8. Safety-
   • The safety strategy
   • hazards
   • first aid
9. Planning an Ecotourism Activity -
   A special project where the student plans out an ecotourism activity including:
   • budget
   • accommodation
   • licenses
   • meals
   • destination

There are 10 lessons as follows:

1. Ecotourism Basics –
   • Definition of ecotourism
   • Negative ecotourism
   • Ecotourist profile
   • Administrative concerns
   • Safety
2. Interpretive Services in Ecotourism –
   • Interpretation as a key element of ecotourism
   • Interpretation techniques
   • Sign design
3. Ecology and Conservation –
   • Definition of ecology
   • Ecosystem function
   • The web of life
   • Habitat and niche
   • Humans in the environment
4. Plant and Animal Classification and Identification –
   • Classification of organisms
   • Basic taxonomy
   • Using keys for identification
   • Other methods of identification
5. Geology/Geomorphology –
   • Types of rocks
   • Types of minerals
   • Soils
   • Soil formation
   • Soil classification
6. Interpreting Aquatic Environments –
   • Marine environments
   • Freshwater environments
   • Fish
   • Shells
   • Crustaceans
7. Interpreting Land Environments –
   • Introduction to interpreting land environments
   • Relevance of interpreting land environments
8. Planning an Ecotour –
   • Destination
   • Transportation
   • Accommodation
9. Ecotour Displays –
   • Design concepts
   • Zoo design techniques
10. Leading an Ecotour –
    • Advertising
    • Group preparation
    • Planning the tour
    • Group surveys for feedback