October 1997 Newsletter

ECOTOURISM TRAINING VIDEO LAUNCHED

A new instructional video to help Australian ecotourism interest groups develop environmental tourism in their region has been launched by Queensland TAFE and the CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd.

The video documents how to get started in the Heritage and Interpretive Tourism Course (HIT) which has been operating successfully in several Queensland regional centres since 1994.

Produced for tourism associations, educational institutions and ecotourism operators, the video describes the modular certificate-level course from management, student and industry perspectives.

Chairman of the Cairns HIT Advisory Committee, Mr David Butler, says the video will help prospective new TAFE colleges and tour industry groups collaborate to provide practical training for people wanting to enter the ecotourism industry.

"The Heritage and Interpretive Tourism course is expanding into new areas around Australia and we are being called on to provide advice on how to successfully set up new programs. Educational institutions can register to deliver the course, but they must have support from local operators and natural resource management agencies. All new regional groups should adapt the course to meet their own needs," Mr Butler said.

The video, sponsored by the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism, is available from the CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd in Townsville, phone (077) 81 4976.

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