An eco-tourism course will prepare you to lead with your environmental conscience in tact. It’s an excellent time to invest in the travel industry! Why? Because it’s bound to boom after COVID-19 restrictions lift, and people begin to explore again!

If you have a passion for the environment and love travel, our Ecoourism Tour Guide Program is ideal for you. This eco-tourism course is perfect for those who want to conduct tours, overnight walks or treks with a tour guide service, or entrepreneurs inspired to start their own tour guide business!

The Ecotourism Guide Program is an online program that will give you insights into the ecotourism industry, including guiding environmental awareness via tour planning, displays and interpretive aids.

You’ll learn about ecology and conservation, plant and animal identification, geology and geomorphology, and discover how to interpret land and aquatic environments.

You will also learn about the ecotourist profile, how to plan an eco-tour, set up eco-tour displays, and advertise and lead eco-tour services.

On completion of this eco-tourism course, you will be able to successfully organise and lead eco-tours so that your clients, including overseas visitors, gain insights and inspiration about the natural world around them.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking an eco-tourism course include:

• An ability to analyse the structure of interpretive ecotourism in your country.
• To recognise the factors of the environment and their significance to ecotourism.
• To plan an eco-tour.
• Create/develop interpretation aids for a selected ecotourism
• Develop a display with an ecotourism
• Determine the specific name of a range of natural features in a selected wilderness area including birds, fish, shells, other animals and plants
• Lead an interpretive tourwith an ecotourism
• Develop innovative concepts in interpretation for a selected aquatic ecotourism
• Identify geological and geomorphological factors of interest to eco
• Prepare identification sheets, containing a preserved specimen, a photograph or a drawing; together with a description of the species/type of organism.
• Design and conduct interpretive activities.
• Research the legal and administrative background required to set up an ecotourism venture
• Marketing and advertising possibilities for ecotourism
• Identify and locate ecotourism facilities
• Prepare interpretive activity sheets for an ecotourism group
• Classify organisms sighted in a set time
• Identify points of interest in a natural area for an ecotourism group
• Research the lifecycles of several plants and animals
• Design a range of eco-tours for ecotourists
• Make observations of aquatic organisms and identify pollutants
• Identify potential ecotourism activities for a marine area
• Develop interpretive techniques for minimal environmental impact
• Plan an eco-tour including the destination, accommodation, transport, catering
• Construct an eco-tour display
• Plan and lead an eco-tour

And more!

Why Become an Eco-tour Guide?

Ecotourism involves low-impact travel to fragile, pristine or relatively undisturbed natural areas. But it also reflects the concepts of conservation and the management of resources to ensure environments remain protected and sustainable.

Ecotourism is important because it preserves the integrity of the destination. Its focus is to allow tourists to enjoy an experience while considering the environment, historical heritage, culture, communities and natural resources of a tourist attraction

Eco-tour guides are part of this balance between tourism and conservation – so you’ll enjoy the natural wonders while helping protect and share it with tourists. An eco-tourism course will help you to navigate this important and exciting career path.

What are the Features of a Professional Eco Tour?

A professional eco-tour guide will be calm, confident, and in control. An eco-tour guide needs to be well prepared to maintain this level of professionalism. So, what are the features of a professional eco-tour?

• Punctuality – a tour should start and finish on time
• Safety – eco tours must adhere to safety standards
• Organised – tour guide must be prepared
• Delivers a clear message and purpose
• Provides interesting facts and stories
• Interactive – must be interesting
• Audible, visible, understandable tour guide – use clear language
• Confident and friendly tour guide
• Provides for any special needs of the tour group

Where Can Eco-Tour Guides Work?

• Zoos
• Wildlife parks
• National parks
• Holiday resorts
• Museums
• Theme parks

 

What do Eco-Tour Guides Do?

Eco-tour guides educate tourists on travelling green to reduce their carbon footprint and give back to communities that they visit.

• Take scenic and sight-seeing tours
• Taking bookings
• Organise tour groups
• Ensure groups stay together
• Answer queries and provides information on points of interest – focus on the environment
• Chaperone the group
• Plan ecotourism itineraries
• Apply knowledge of travel routes, destinations and environmental and sustainability matters
• Resolve problems with itineraries, services or accommodation

5 Fun Eco-Tour Facts!

1. Ecotourism isn’t always expensive – it can cost as little as $5 a day!
2. Eco-tours can be luxurious – it’s not all about living out of backpacks and sleeping on the floor.
3. You can take an eco-tour in the city!
4. An eco-tour can help you to indulge a passion. Try an organic cooking class or learn how to dive and explore coral reefs on Australia’s Heron Island!
5. Volunteering is often part of the eco-tour experience. The International Ecotourism Society is a great place to find opportunities!

 

6 of the Best Eco Tour Resorts in Australia!                

Imagine working at one of these world-class Australian eco-resorts! You’ll be surrounded by the magnificent natural beauty that is Australia – while sharing and protecting it with others.

1. Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, QLD

Ecotourism certified, Gwinganna’s ocean views and green valleys coupled with relaxation facilities, provide everything you need for the ultimate wellness experience.

2. One&Only Wolgan Valley, NSW

Set on a 7,000-acre conservancy within the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains region, One&Only Wolgan Valley offers 40 ultra-luxe accommodations plus a swimming pool with a striking mountain range backdrop.

3. Bay of Fires Lodge, TAS

The Bay of Fires Lodge Walk features superb exclusive accommodation located within footsteps of the pristine Bay of Fires beaches.

4. Daintree Wilderness Lodge, QLD

This eco-lodge is surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park in the heart of the world’s oldest rainforest!

5. Karinji Eco Retreat, WA

Enjoy unique outback glamping in the heart of the spectacular Karijini National Park, Western Australia.

6. Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, TAS

Located in the World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park this eco-resort provides secluded luxury and relaxation in Tasmania’s wilderness.

 

Obtain the knowledge and skills to become a professional eco-tour guide and discover the magic of working in untouched beauty with an eco tourism course, like our Ecotourism Tour Guide Program.