Career Description
Ecotourism is a wide-open profession that offers the opportunity to travel the
globe and explore, while serving to preserve both the natural and cultural
integrity of the planet. The International Ecotourism Society defines
ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the
environment and improves the well-being of local people.” As an ecotourism
guide, one could be expected to interpret the natural and cultural history of
the area for travelers. Beyond that, working in ecotourism is likely to involve
minimizing environmental impact, building environmental and cultural awareness
and respect, providing positive experiences for both visitors and hosts,
fostering direct financial benefits for conservation, advocating financial
benefits and empowerment for local people, raising sensitivity to host
countries’ political, environmental, and social climate, and supporting
international human rights and labor agreements.
Program Information
The Ecotourism Program is designed to enable the graduate to use sustainable
tourism to expand economic development and to improve the quality of life for your
destination. As one of the few colleges in the nation to offer an ecotourism
degree, our program meshes a range of disciplines for a well-balanced start in
nature travel. The Ecotourism Program can be tailored to the particular
requirements of the industry and provided in a culturally appropriate manner.
Fourteen program areas blend the required 48 credits, and a host of electives
allow the student to emphasize special interest areas such as nature viewing,
culture or business. At the core of this program is respect for the
environment.
Employment Opportunities
Costa Rica, Kenya and Australia depend heavily on ecotourism. North America is
a major ecotourism destination and region for employment. Some of the jobs available
are those that lead others in activities such as walking, wildlife viewing, and
hiking/trekking.
Career Titles
This program will help students prepare for a wide range of careers in the
ecotourism field, including ecotour guide, travel guide, tour coordinator,
wilderness guide, licensed escort, sight-seeing guide, ecotourism specialist,
and a host of associated positions dedicated to preserving natural destinations
of growing popularity.
Ecotourism, AAS - Program Planning Form (pdf)
Ecotourism, Certificate - Program Planning Form (pdf)
