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ECOTOUR MANAGEMENT BTR101

Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
Statement of Attainment

Ecotourism Management Course | Build a Career in Sustainable Tourism

  • Study ecotour management, legal considerations, tour desks, safety, accommodation, destinations, management, catering, destinations etc.
  • Study online, by e-learning or printed notes. Pay by instalments.
  • Work at your own pace. No course end date. Study as slowly or as quickly as you like.
  • 100 hours. 9 lessons. 9 assignments.  Special Project on running your own ecotour business. Theory + practical learning – assignments + exercises + projects. 
  • No deadlines.  Prompt marking from expert and experienced tutors. Support available from tutors via phone or online.
  • Run your own ecotour enterprise.

It's easy to enrol...

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COURSE STRUCTURE

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

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.
What will I do on the course?
Here are some examples of what you might do on the course.
  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is ecotourism?

The term ecotourism is the combination of two words: ‘eco’ from ecology and tourism.

  • Ecology is the study of the complex relationships between living organisms and their environments.
  • Tourism is the practice of travel for the purposes of leisure, holidays, business (without remuneration) and visiting family.

With the rise of alternative tourism and nature-based tourism crossing over to the mainstream of mass tourism, it became apparent that more was required to provide options that were culturally sensitive, and which provided a focus on the natural environment. 

Ecotourism provides a bridge that can function legitimately as either alternative or mass tourism.

Is ecotourism a growth industry?

Tourism is a booming industry and a major employer in the leisure sector. Ecotourism has emerged out of a growing interest in outdoor adventure activities - from mountaineering to low impact bush walking.  Take this course and learn how to establish an ecotourism business.  It is growing because - 

  • There are more tourists.
  • A growing population.
  • Some have more disposable income to spend on travelling.
Ecotourism offers opportunities for employment in virtually every corner of the world, from poor countries to rich and cold environments to hot.
This course is an excellent first step toward increasing your potential for success in ecotour management.

How do ethics relate to ecotour management?

Ethics are an important element of human society that are intrinsically related to our concepts of civilisation and social order, as opposed to disorder. Points to consider:

  • Your responsibility to future generations - to ensure that for them, and other organisms, the environment is at least maintained or, if possible, enhanced.
  • Should you tell people about great natural discoveries, thereby increasing usage, and possibly resulting in degradation?
  • The responsibility of people to respect the rights of all living organisms that inhabit this planet.

    To plan and implement tour operations with minimal impact on the environment, ensure that the operation:

  • Is ecologically sustainable.
  • Returns to the local community.
  • Returns to the environment: conservation of the resource.
  • Takes cultural sensitivity into consideration.
  • Uses responsible marketing and meets realistic client expectations.

How do I enrol?

Enrolling is easy - just go to the top of this page and select your study method and payment option.

If you have any questions about studying with ACS, or want to know more about any of our courses, get in touch with our specialist tutors today. They will be happy to answer your questions and look at different study options to fit in with your goals.

 
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

Alison Pearce (general)P.G.Cert. Ed., M.Ecotourism, S.Sc. (Hons). Alison has held many positions including: University Lecturer, Writer, Quality Assurance Manager, Research Technician, Vet Nurse and stockwoman. Over 30 years industry experience, mostly in Australia and the UK.. Alison originally graduated with an honors degree in science from university and beyond that has completed post graduate qualifications in education and eco-tourism. She has managed veterinary operating theatre, responsible for animal anaesthesia, instrument preparation, and assistance with surgical techniques and procedures.
Dr. Gareth PearceGraduated from the University of Nottingham in 1982 with a B.Sc.(Hons) in Animal Science. Between 82 and 85 worked as Research Assistant and Demonstator in Animal Science at the University of Leeds. Over more than 30 years he has furthered his studies, obtaining eight significant university qualifications including degrees in Veterinary Science, Wildlife Conservation and Animal Behaviour. Gareth has significant teaching experience around the world as a faculty member at eight different universities including Associate Professor at Murdoch University and Director of Studies in Veterinary Science at Cambridge University. He has over 100 prestigious research papers published, and enjoys an outstanding international reputation in the fields of animal and veterinary science.
Marius Erasmus Subsequent to completing a BSc (Agric) degree in animal science, Marius completed an honours degree in wildlife management, and a masters degree in production animal physiology. Following the Masters degree, he has worked for 9 years in the UK, and South Africa in wildlife management, dairy, beef and poultry farming.


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