Ecotourism Guide

• Certificate IV in Tourism (Guiding)
• Certificate III in Tourism (Guiding)

Ecotourism guides educate tour groups without making the group feel as if they're being lectured. That's why it's important that this education takes place out in the natural environment. Guides can choose their own interpretive medium, such as signs, brochures or photos to help transmit knowledge about ecological sustainability.

Not quite the career you are looking for? Please try the related course profiles below:

Influencing and Personal Contact

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There are currently no specific educational requirements to become an ecotourism guide. However, it's becoming increasingly desirable among employers that guides have some formal training.

Flinders University offer a Bachelor of Eco Tourism degree while TAFE SA offers these courses:
Certificate III in Tourism (Guiding)
Certificate IV in Tourism (Guiding).

There is a growing awareness and appreciation about ecotourism among the general public. Despite this, positions are limited for ecotourism guides. Most of the State's ecotour operators are small business operators and often the tour operator also acts as the tour guide. In addition, this is often a seasonal occupation.

Cultural and Recreational Services

Ecotourism also focuses on increasing people's understanding of a destination's cultural heritage and the importance of its protection.

During tours, ecotourism guides raise visitors' awareness about the hidden wonders of an area. They also offer interpretations of the negative effects of people's actions on the environment, explaining how to avoid these outcomes in the future. Guides might for example, interpret what it means to marine life when plastic bags are thrown into the sea. Fairly difficult to be subtle when the outcome is so destructive!

Ecotourism guides need great communication skills because they often guide for a range of nationalities. As tourists tend to stand back, you have to be very approachable. It's also useful to be able to demonstrate tasks, such as boomerang and spear throwing. Ecotourism guides also do tours at schools, where you need to be able to show how cultural activities are undertaken.

Ecotours are growing in popularity in because people are starting to appreciate the uniqueness of Australia's natural environment.

A world-first ecotourism and nature tourism accreditation program has been developed by the industry, to address the need to identify genuine ecotourism and nature tourism products and activities in Australia. Accreditation provides industry, protected area managers and consumers with an assurance of commitment to best practice environmental management and the provision of quality experiences.

Salaries vary according to the sector and region in which you work. Bonus incentives exist among some employers. Salaries may also vary with age and experience. Commencement salary would be approximately $45,000 dependent on where you enter the industry.

Ecotourism guides receive around $25 per hour for guiding.

For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au