CERTIFICATE IN ECOTOURISM BUSINESS VTR011

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who are the course writers and tutors for this course?

Written and taught by international ecotourism professionals, including –

• Melissa Leistra – Hospitality teacher with 2 decades experience teaching commercial cookery and food and beverage, health and nutrition.  Experienced in the hospitality industry.
• Alison Pearce -  Masters degree in ecotourism. Substantial experience.

Why study ecotourism business?

Ecotourism is a growth industry and this certificate enables you to learn more about establishing, managing or operating an ecotourism business

What is Ecotourism?

The term ecotourism first popularised in the early 1980’s by Hector Cebellos Lascurain, a Mexican conservationist, since then it has been commonly used to describe many tourism ventures. However, many do not really understand the definition and what nature of activities it actually defines. The very definition of ecotourism has evolved from what is essentially nature-based tourism with a responsible attitude, to a definition that includes as one of its main aims the education of the participant that encourages understanding and appreciation of the natural environment and its cultural context.

The first World Ecotourism Summit defined the principles of Ecotourism -

"... that ecotourism embraces the principles of sustainable tourism, concerning the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism. It also embraces the following specific principles which distinguish it from the wider concept of sustainable tourism:

• Contributes actively to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.
• Includes local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation, and contributing to their well-being,
• Interprets the natural and cultural heritage of the destination to visitors,
• Lends itself better to independent travellers, as well as to organized tours for small size groups."

Is Nature Based Tourism Ecotourism?

Essentially any tourism that has as its basis natural attractions can be considered nature based tourism. This category is fairly wide and covers many areas, many of which overlap, however ecotourism is really the only area that requires the educational emphasis as well sustainable practice. Areas that can be included under nature based tourism can be generally divided up as:

• Captive – viewing aquariums, zoos, wildlife parks, botanical gardens.
• Extractive – hunting, fishing, fossicking, picking. 
• Adventure – climbing, mountaineering, rafting, caving.
• Health – nature retreats/spas.
• Ecotourism – birdwatching, outdoor education, outdoor research, whale watching, riding, nature observation.
• 3S (Sun, Sea, Surf) – surfing, swimming, boating, sailing.

As an example, adventure tourism usually involves an element of risk, physical exertion and knowledge and use of special skills in order to safely participate. Of course what constitutes risk and physical exertion will be a matter of an individual's experience and physical ability.  Ecotourism and adventure tourism can overlap, however not all adventure tourism can be strictly considered ecotourism.

Examples of poor nature based tourism abound. Unfortunately the very practice of bringing tourists however well intentioned to any natural environment will have a negative impact without proper management. For example, anyone who has been high altitude trekking in Nepal where there are few resources for the multitude of trekkers will remember seeing ubiquitous pink toilet paper strewn around the countryside. Additional rubbish includes water bottles, food wrappers and in mountaineering areas gas cylinders, rubbish and oxygen containers are. While many of these tourists are actually seeking an authentic ecotourism experience, the reality is somewhat short of expectations. Not only are there environmental consequences but the unfavourable experience is also going to negatively affect of their own perception of the place and thus diminish word-of-mouth and return visitors.