Ecotourism E-Learning Course
The self-paced e-learning course supports the implementation of the MEET Model for developing ecotourism in Protected Areas, with the co-creation of multi-day experiences that adhere to sustainability and quality standards as defined by the MEET Network. The courses are designed to respond to the needs of tourism staff in protected areas and destination managers, via different modules with engaging content (videos, quizzes, examples, exercises, etc.). Upon completion, trainees will be able to establish a local ecotourism cluster, create appealing ecotourism experiences and manage the environmental, social and cultural impacts to ensure benefits to conservation and local communities.
click to view full size Implementation
The training has been developed and implemented based on the needs assessed in MEET, DestiMED and DESTIMED PLUS projects, among protected area stakeholders implementing the MEET Model. IUCN Academy hosts the training, made up of 4 modules, which will be expanded with additional courses in the future. Two shorter courses on product development and measuring the ecological footprint are also available, hosted at Conservation Training. The available and future courses on the online training platform are:
• Local Ecotourism Cluster Establishment and Management
• Developing a MEET Ecotourism Itinerary
• Interpretation, Guiding and Tour Leading in Ecotourism
• Marketing and Communicating Ecotourism
• Marine & Coastal Planning and Sustainable Tourism
• Measuring and Monitoring Sustainability of Products and Destinations
• Developing immersive and circular tourism experiences in protected areas
Replicability conditions
The training courses target Protected Area managers, tour operators, destination managers, development organizations, as well as regional authorities in charge of tourism and/or conservation, interested in implementing a participatory ecotourism itinerary design in their protected area destinations. Before getting started with the training, it is recommended to watch this video, and to read the MEET Manual during the training, to learn more about the MEET Network and how the approach to ecotourism development works in practice. All courses are free and only require registration to the platforms and courses, both at Conservation Training and at IUCN Academy. The courses, along with other MEET resources, potentially allow any protected area to develop a sustainable ecotourism itinerary in a collaborative way.