UCFC Preparing Future Industry Professionals through NGO and University Partnerships

UCFC Preparing Future Industry Professionals through NGO and University PartnershipsDr. Kelly BrickerDr. Kelly BrickerThe International Ecotourism SocietyThe International Ecotourism SocietyThe University of UtahThe University of Utah

The T&E MissionInternational training programsAdvocacy Campaigns UCFC program Distance Learning CoursesConferences Public ForumsPublications Outreach

The T&E MissionInternational training programsAdvocacy Campaigns UCFC program Distance Learning CoursesConferences Public ForumsPublications Outreach

What is TIES?

Careers within the Field of Ecotourism

A Resource for Students and Industry Professionals

What is TIES?

Careers within the Field of Ecotourism

A Resource for Students and Industry Professionals

Presentation OverviewPresentation OverviewTIES and EcotourismTIES and Ecotourism T & ET & E

TIES MissionTIES Mission

• Creating an international network of individuals, institutions and the tourism industry;

• Educating tourists and tourism professionals;• Influencing the tourism industry, public

institutions and donors to integrate the principles of ecotourism into their operations and policies.

• Creating an international network of individuals, institutions and the tourism industry;

• Educating tourists and tourism professionals;• Influencing the tourism industry, public

institutions and donors to integrate the principles of ecotourism into their operations and policies.

TIES Main ProjectsTIES Main ProjectsTIES Main Projects• Training & Education

– Conferences Workshops & Forums– International on-site training programs– Classroom and distance learning courses – Publishing research, books and outreach materials– UCFC program – Outreach

• Research – Technical Projects – Carbon offsets and sustainable transportation– Environmental and social footprints of tourism enterprises– Indigenous and community-based ecotourism

• Membership– Network of professionals, institutions and businesses– Newsletters– Experts Bureau (speakers, consultants, lecturers)– Worldwide Events

• Training & Education– Conferences Workshops & Forums– International on-site training programs– Classroom and distance learning courses – Publishing research, books and outreach materials– UCFC program – Outreach

• Research – Technical Projects – Carbon offsets and sustainable transportation– Environmental and social footprints of tourism enterprises– Indigenous and community-based ecotourism

• Membership– Network of professionals, institutions and businesses– Newsletters– Experts Bureau (speakers, consultants, lecturers)– Worldwide Events

Your Travel Choice Makes a Difference! Your Travel Choice Makes a Difference!

What is Responsible Travel?

– Five Easy Steps – Helpful Internet Resources – What You Can Do While

Traveling – "Green-Washing" – Flying Responsibly – Responsible Travel Myths – What is Certification? – Travelers' Phlanthropy

What is Responsible Travel?

– Five Easy Steps – Helpful Internet Resources – What You Can Do While

Traveling – "Green-Washing" – Flying Responsibly – Responsible Travel Myths – What is Certification? – Travelers' Phlanthropy

Travel with a purpose:

• Choose destinations, accommodations, and tour operators, that work to protect the environment and benefit local cultures and communities

• Anyone can be a responsible traveler anywhere they travel!

Travel with a purpose:

• Choose destinations, accommodations, and tour operators, that work to protect the environment and benefit local cultures and communities

• Anyone can be a responsible traveler anywhere they travel!

A RESOURCE FORSTUDENTS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALSA RESOURCE FORSTUDENTS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

TIES Membership• More than 800 members

in nearly 100 countriesExperts Bureau:– academics, consultants,

conservation professionals and organizations, governments, architects, tour operators, lodge owners and managers, general development experts and travelers

TIES Membership• More than 800 members

in nearly 100 countriesExperts Bureau:– academics, consultants,

conservation professionals and organizations, governments, architects, tour operators, lodge owners and managers, general development experts and travelers

Benefits include:– Newsletters (Digital Traveler,

Eco Currents)– Access to current trends– Free subscription: Outside

Magazine– Online Membership Directory– “Your Travel Choice”– Discounts with other TIES

members– Internship and Jobs

announcements for members

Benefits include:– Newsletters (Digital Traveler,

Eco Currents)– Access to current trends– Free subscription: Outside

Magazine– Online Membership Directory– “Your Travel Choice”– Discounts with other TIES

members– Internship and Jobs

announcements for members

Global List of University ProgramsGlobal List of University Programs

TIES has spent significant time and energy both researching and recording the many university degree programs and courses dedicated to ecotourism and sustainable tourism. This comprehensive list is a valuable tool to our members.

TIES has spent significant time and energy both researching and recording the many university degree programs and courses dedicated to ecotourism and sustainable tourism. This comprehensive list is a valuable tool to our members.

•Latin America and the Caribbean•North Africa and the Middle East•North America•Africa

•Latin America and the Caribbean•North Africa and the Middle East•North America•Africa

•Asia and the Pacific•Australia and New Zealand•Europe and Central Asia

•Asia and the Pacific•Australia and New Zealand•Europe and Central Asia

CAREERS WITHIN THE FIELD OF ECOTOURISMCAREERS WITHIN THE FIELD OF ECOTOURISM

• Non-profit organizations/non-governmental organizations (i.e. environmental, conversation)

• International and domestic tourism administrations • Tour operators/sustainable hospitality management• Academic research and teaching• Planners and architects (i.e. transportation, tourism development

strategies/infrastructure)• Consultants• Sustainable development professionals (green building,

renewable energies)• Protected area managers and planners

• Non-profit organizations/non-governmental organizations (i.e. environmental, conversation)

• International and domestic tourism administrations • Tour operators/sustainable hospitality management• Academic research and teaching• Planners and architects (i.e. transportation, tourism development

strategies/infrastructure)• Consultants• Sustainable development professionals (green building,

renewable energies)• Protected area managers and planners

TIES Website

www.ecotourism.org

• Online Library• Current Projects• Jobs and Internships• Comprehensive Calendar

of Events• Training and Education• Bulletin Board• Discussion Forum

• Online Library• Current Projects• Jobs and Internships• Comprehensive Calendar

of Events• Training and Education• Bulletin Board• Discussion Forum

• Press Room• TIES Store• Membership Directory• Experts Bureau• Business to Business (B2B)• “Your Travel Choice”

• Press Room• TIES Store• Membership Directory• Experts Bureau• Business to Business (B2B)• “Your Travel Choice”

TIES’ Department of Training & Education (T&E) Mission: TIESTIES’’ Department of Training & Education (T&E) Mission: Department of Training & Education (T&E) Mission:

• Build awareness of ecotourism and sustainable tourism among the traveling public

• Expand learning opportunities in ecotourism and sustainable tourism subjects

• Promote the concept of ecotourism and sustainable tourism among a variety of audiences

• Create an opportunity for professional recognition in ecotourism and sustainable tourism

• Assist in the creation of a global network of travel industry professionals

• Advance sustainability in development projects and tourism policy

• To provide the public with up-to-date information ecotourism and sustainable tourism

•• Build awareness of ecotourism and sustainable tourism among the Build awareness of ecotourism and sustainable tourism among the traveling publictraveling public

•• Expand learning opportunities in ecotourism and sustainable tourExpand learning opportunities in ecotourism and sustainable tourism ism subjectssubjects

•• Promote the concept of ecotourism and sustainable tourism among Promote the concept of ecotourism and sustainable tourism among a a variety of audiencesvariety of audiences

•• Create an opportunity for professional recognition in ecotourismCreate an opportunity for professional recognition in ecotourism and and sustainable tourismsustainable tourism

•• Assist in the creation of a global network of travel industry Assist in the creation of a global network of travel industry professionalsprofessionals

•• Advance sustainability in development projects and tourism policAdvance sustainability in development projects and tourism policyy

•• To provide the public with upTo provide the public with up--toto--date information ecotourism and date information ecotourism and sustainable tourismsustainable tourism

University Consortium Field Certificate (UCFC)University Consortium Field Certificate (UCFC)

TIES-UCFC incorporates:

a) at least one international course provided through a university consortium member;

b) on-campus course work;c) engagement in at least one

internationally focused seminar through TIES, and

d) an internship focused on some aspect of ecotourism/sustainable tourism development.

TIES-UCFC incorporates:

a) at least one international course provided through a university consortium member;

b) on-campus course work;c) engagement in at least one

internationally focused seminar through TIES, and

d) an internship focused on some aspect of ecotourism/sustainable tourism development.

What is the TIES-UC Vision?• All travel professionals will demonstrate

an inherent, reality-based understanding of the principles of ecotourism within the context of sustainable development.

What is the TIES-UC Mission?• Our mission is to foster a holistic

understanding of ecotourism and sustainable development through the education of multi-disciplinary students and professionals.

What is the TIES-UC Vision?• All travel professionals will demonstrate

an inherent, reality-based understanding of the principles of ecotourism within the context of sustainable development.

What is the TIES-UC Mission?• Our mission is to foster a holistic

understanding of ecotourism and sustainable development through the education of multi-disciplinary students and professionals.

To foster a holistic understanding of ecotourism and sustainable development through the education of multi-disciplinary students and professionals

To foster a holistic understanding of ecotourism and sustainable development through the education of multi-disciplinary students and professionals

UCFC Partners!UCFC Partners!

California Polytechnic University

North Carolina State University

University of Utah

West Virginia University

University of Minnesota

California Polytechnic University

North Carolina State University

University of Utah

West Virginia University

University of Minnesota

Why Join UCFC?!Why Join UCFC?!

Program Benefits to students: • Industry-wide and academically recognized

endorsement;• Practical hands-on field experiences and research

projects (resume builders, “toolkits”);• Enhanced awareness of natural resource

management; • Study abroad programs and coursework that

expand perspectives on sustainable tourism; • Internship and professional employment

opportunities.

Program Benefits to students: • Industry-wide and academically recognized

endorsement;• Practical hands-on field experiences and research

projects (resume builders, “toolkits”);• Enhanced awareness of natural resource

management; • Study abroad programs and coursework that

expand perspectives on sustainable tourism; • Internship and professional employment

opportunities.

Benefits to UniversitiesBenefits to Universities……• Set the program apart and offer unique experiential

learning options, domestically and internationally; • Meets partial degree requirements of recreation, parks

and tourism programs;• Excellent recruitment opportunities for the University and

department via press releases and student visits to agencies across the county and internationally;

• Develops University and department contacts with wide range of professionals;

• Increased program offerings without increasing faculty teaching loads;

• Opportunities for creative faculty involvement, without the planning burden;

• Expanded multi-disciplinary opportunities university and industry wide; networking in non-profit organizations, and the private sector.

• Set the program apart and offer unique experiential learning options, domestically and internationally;

• Meets partial degree requirements of recreation, parks and tourism programs;

• Excellent recruitment opportunities for the University and department via press releases and student visits to agencies across the county and internationally;

• Develops University and department contacts with wide range of professionals;

• Increased program offerings without increasing faculty teaching loads;

• Opportunities for creative faculty involvement, without the planning burden;

• Expanded multi-disciplinary opportunities university and industry wide; networking in non-profit organizations, and the private sector.

Benefits to the Professional CommunityBenefits to the Professional Community

• Training and familiarization for future employment;• Guide/leader Training for entry level positions;• Access/understanding of internship needs;• Domestic and international development

assistance via an approved internship program;• Trained interns with up to date knowledge on

Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism;• Provides an opportunity to market their program;

and,• International and domestic collaboration with

ecotourism professionals

• Training and familiarization for future employment;• Guide/leader Training for entry level positions;• Access/understanding of internship needs;• Domestic and international development

assistance via an approved internship program;• Trained interns with up to date knowledge on

Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism;• Provides an opportunity to market their program;

and,• International and domestic collaboration with

ecotourism professionals

Benefits to TIES…Benefits to TIES…• Supports our Mission!• Increases research capacity for the overall

industry • Provides an opportunity to expand academic

networks both domestically and internationally; • Allows the organization to participate in the

evolution of the academic development of sustainable tourism as a tertiary subject of focus

• Expands the communication among multidisciplinary academic professionals, industry leaders and community members

• Supports our Mission!• Increases research capacity for the overall

industry • Provides an opportunity to expand academic

networks both domestically and internationally; • Allows the organization to participate in the

evolution of the academic development of sustainable tourism as a tertiary subject of focus

• Expands the communication among multidisciplinary academic professionals, industry leaders and community members

Benefits to TIES…Benefits to TIES…

• Provides additional outlets for Information dissemination in various multidisciplinary arenas

• Increases the organization’s ability to link TIES members with responsible and industry aware student intern

• Allows TIES to participate directly with the development of highly competent new professionals for the sustainable tourism field

• Provides an additional method of collecting and disseminating current trends in the academic arena of sustainable tourism

• Provides additional outlets for Information dissemination in various multidisciplinary arenas

• Increases the organization’s ability to link TIES members with responsible and industry aware student intern

• Allows TIES to participate directly with the development of highly competent new professionals for the sustainable tourism field

• Provides an additional method of collecting and disseminating current trends in the academic arena of sustainable tourism

How to Join UCFC?!How to Join UCFC?!

UCFC is for students who have completed their UCFC is for students who have completed their Freshman and Sophomore yearFreshman and Sophomore year

Review the TIESReview the TIES--UCFC website; down load applicationUCFC website; down load applicationMeet with the University ACA Meet with the University ACA Complete application and submit to ACA (October 1 or Complete application and submit to ACA (October 1 or

February 1), with $50 application feeFebruary 1), with $50 application feeACA submits qualified student with recommendation ACA submits qualified student with recommendation

for acceptance to TIESfor acceptance to TIES--UCFCUCFCStudent is notified of acceptance by November 15 and Student is notified of acceptance by November 15 and

March 15March 15Student submits program fee of $250 Student submits program fee of $250 ($500 next year),($500 next year),

TIESTIES--UCFC Plan of Study, and begins course work.UCFC Plan of Study, and begins course work.

Program RequirementsProgram RequirementsStudent Application Fee: $50 Student Program Fee: $250Student Application Fee: $50 Student Program Fee: $250

9 Credits of Coursework9 Credits of Coursework

Tourism Development Class with Emphasis on Sustainable Tourism Development Class with Emphasis on Sustainable

Development and Ecotourism (GW/TIES Certificate)Development and Ecotourism (GW/TIES Certificate)

Two additional courses that address sustainability issuesTwo additional courses that address sustainability issuesInternational Study Abroad Course (3 Credits International Study Abroad Course (3 Credits -- Minimum)Minimum)

For undergraduates: For undergraduates: Internship approved by the including final applied project or Internship approved by the including final applied project or project evaluation.project evaluation.

For graduates: Project or ThesisFor graduates: Project or Thesis

TIES/GWUSustainable Tourism CertificateTIES/GWUTIES/GWUSustainable Tourism CertificateSustainable Tourism Certificate

• Distance Learning (DL) courses developed by international industry experts

• Offer an excellent opportunity to acquire up-to-date knowledge and skills to improve professional standing

• TIES members are entitled to a discount for each course

• Distance Learning (DL) courses developed by international industry experts

• Offer an excellent opportunity to acquire up-to-date knowledge and skills to improve professional standing

• TIES members are entitled to a discount for each course

Sustainable Tourism Assessment and DevelopmentSustainable Tourism Destination MarketingElectronic Marketing and Internet ApplicationsEcotourism ManagementEcolodge DevelopmentEnvironmental Management for Tour Operators/Destinations Tourist Guide TechniquesCoastal and Marine Ecotourism Cultural Heritage TourismCommunity-Based Ecotourism

Sustainable Tourism Assessment and DevelopmentSustainable Tourism Destination MarketingElectronic Marketing and Internet ApplicationsEcotourism ManagementEcolodge DevelopmentEnvironmental Management for Tour Operators/Destinations Tourist Guide TechniquesCoastal and Marine Ecotourism Cultural Heritage TourismCommunity-Based Ecotourism

TIES Ecotourism Speaker Series TIES Ecotourism Speaker Series The Ecotourism Series Topics Include:

• Current Trends in Ecotourism• Handicrafts, Fair Trade and Revitalizing Culture Impacts of

Cruise Tourism: Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras and Mahahual Mexico

• Traveling with Climate in Mind: Sustainable Transportation and Carbon Offseting

• Global Certification and Ecolabeling • Green Products for Sustainable Travel• Organics and the Slow Food Movement• Greenbuilding and Sustainable Architecture• Renewable Energies

The Ecotourism Series Topics Include:

• Current Trends in Ecotourism• Handicrafts, Fair Trade and Revitalizing Culture Impacts of

Cruise Tourism: Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras and Mahahual Mexico

• Traveling with Climate in Mind: Sustainable Transportation and Carbon Offseting

• Global Certification and Ecolabeling • Green Products for Sustainable Travel• Organics and the Slow Food Movement• Greenbuilding and Sustainable Architecture• Renewable Energies

TIES Publications & WebsiteTIES Publications & Website

www.ecotourism.orgwww.ecotourism.org

“If our planet is to be saved, this will be achieved not by ideologies or political programs, but by people, individuals, in business and elsewhere -- who make up their minds to love and work in greater harmony with the world in which we live.”--Sir Laurens Van der Post

Thank you!

““If our planet is to be saved, this will be If our planet is to be saved, this will be achieved not by ideologies or political achieved not by ideologies or political programs, but by people, individuals, in programs, but by people, individuals, in business and elsewhere business and elsewhere ---- who make up who make up their minds to love and work in greater their minds to love and work in greater harmony with the world in which we live.harmony with the world in which we live.””----Sir Laurens Van der PostSir Laurens Van der Post

Thank you!Thank you!