Proficiency Award In Ecotourism

This Proficiency Award was designed to develop your ability to establish, operate and manage an ecotourism enterprise and increase your knowledge on all aspects of running such a venture. The three courses within this award cover management of issues such as safety, legal consideratons, destinations, accommodation, and management issues, planning, organising and conducting ecotourism services (such as guiding and tours). You will also have the benefit of applying these learnt skills in a workplace or research projects and/or workexperience.

Comment from one of our Ecotourism students: "I am learning so much" J. Alderton

Modules

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

Scope of Nature Based Tourism

Ecotourists and tourists looking for a nature-based experience undertake a wide range of activities.

These activities are extremely varied and may include:

• Nature Photography Camping
• Bushwalking Observing animals
• Bird watching Whale watching
• Turtle watching Crocodile watching
• Dolphins, seals, reptiles etc Observing wildflowers and other plants
• Scientific study Backpacking
• Art tours Diving
• Heritage tours Rafting
• Cycling Rock climbing
• Abseiling Drawing of native plants and animals or landscapes.

Most ecotourists are looking for a combination of passive and active activities set in a natural environment. They also tend to see their holiday as an adventure experience and will participate in adventure type activities i.e. abseiling as well as perceiving the experience as educative and an enjoyment of the natural biodiversity of the environment.

The demand for outdoor pursuits and adventure experiences is most popular in the 20-40 year age bracket. Interpretative services relating to natural, cultural and historical experiences were sought mainly by well-educated professional people above 35 years of age. This client segment also had a preference for high level of comfort with access to natural areas. Backpackers are also a large component of the ecotour market. They tend to choose very low cost accomodation and tend to spend money on organised short ecotours.

Ecotourists will travel long distances to see endangered species, especially large, exotic mammals and birds. Ecotourists interested in wildlife may spend entire days looking for birds. They want to spend their time in nature. They will often be interested in minute nature, like insect species or mangrove soil types, and local culture. They are likely to come primarily for a big attraction (such as the Panda bear or the unique wildlife in Australia) but they will want to see other nature and local celebrations and rituals. They will want to experience these things in an environmentally friendly - they will prefer to walk, bike or boat to have a unique experience in nature.

Landscapes

Ecotourists from abroad usually come to experience a dramatically beautiful landscape. Ecotourists do not want their natural experience spoiled by development of any kind. They do not want urbanization, even tourist facilities, to blemish the natural landscape. Large natural areas need to be preserved for wildlife habitat and to provide the setting tourists demand. Some landscape examples that come to mind include the views of the Grand Canyon from above, Niagara Falls, Jokulsarlon (glacial lagoon in Iceland), The Himilayan foothills and Ayres Rock in Australia.

Distinctive Character

Visitors from abroad will come to experience history, culture and architecture. They want to see what is distinctive. They will not come to see suburban sprawl and buildings that look like everywhere else. The preservation of the unique character of architecture, villages and the landscape is required. Avoiding modernization, to a degree, by keeping roads narrow and preserving "old style" buildings for tourist accommodations will maintain the unique character of a place. The beautiful old villages of rural Japan still have old style buildings and traditional accommodation right alongside beautiful rivers and walking tracks. Even the emergency huts on some of the hiking trails have the unique Japanese style.

Experienced and Knowledgeable Hosts

International ecotourists expect knowledgeable local hosts in restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts, museums, and on tours. They expect professional, friendly service. Ecotourists really appreciate hosts and tour guides who can provide "inside" local information and details of the ecology, history and culture. They will also pay a premium for knowledgeable service.

Unique Events and Experiences

Sophisticated foreign travelers want to experience things other tourists don't get to see. They want to actually participate in local culture. They want to be part of religious festivals and learn first-hand what local people do. Foreign ecotourists and visitors will pay to help you do your work. For example, they will pay to help you harvest oysters, clams or fish. They generally prefer very small groups and hands-on learning. They definitely want to feel like they have gotten behind the scenes and experienced the true local culture that others might have missed. Ecotourists are likely to be willing to pay a local guide to take them fishing and help prepare the food. In many countries such as Thailand tourists pay local people to teach them how to prepare and cook traditional foods. Sophisticated tourists want to see local arts, crafts and work tools. They especially enjoy seeing them being made. It is not unusual for some of these visitors to spend a thousand dollars on a locally made art. This can be seen in many parts of Asia where tourists are taken to arts and craft markets or out of the way factories to see traditionally made arts and crafts.

A Practical Aspect to this Course -Workshop/Research or Work Experience

This is the final requirement that you must satisfy before receiving your award. There are two options available to you to satisfy this requirement:

Alternative 1.

If you work in the industry that you have been studying; you may submit a reference from your employer, in an effort to satisfy this industry (ie. workplace project) requirement; on the basis of RPL (ie. recognition for prior learning), achieved through your current and past work experience.The reference must indicate that you have skills and an awareness of your industry, which is sufficient for you to work in a position of responsibility.

Alternative 2.

If you do not work in the relevant industry, you need to undertake either :

• 2 Workshop Projects

OR

• 2 Research projects

OR

• 1 Workshop Project and 1 Research project

In some cases we will accept other learning that constitutes "Learning in a real world relevant situation". This means that we will accept (based upon documentary proof):

• Attending industry meetings (conferences, seminars, study tours, committee meetings, etc)

AND/OR

• Attending workshops run by another institution; or supervised by a professional person working the student through our "workshop curriculum documents"

Flexible Study

ACS Distance Education is unique. We allow you to choose how you study, where you study, what you study, how much you study, and when you study. 

• Work fast or slow –you choose the intensity of study
• Start, pause or restart according to changing demands of work, family or lifestyle.
• Mix and match modules so you only study what you want or need to learn -We allow you to construct your own “tailor made” certificates or diplomas
• Options in assignments allow you to focus on things with greater interest to you.
• Study electronically (online or using a CD); or using printed notes.
• Use (or don’t use) supplementary services for extra learning want –unlimited access to tutors,  an online student room, social media, bookstore, etc
• Orientation video and student Manual at the start of your course will provide a clear guide to how you can study and get all sorts of support no matter where you live

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