Supporting Sustainability Experiences
Council continues to explore and support local innovation in providing new ways that residents and visitors interact and experience our spectacular natural environment. There are emerging and best practice ways to interpret, appreciate and learn about our natural environment and sprawling biodiversity that we have to offer, without compromising the natural environment. Council encourages local businesses to explore these diverse opportunities that lean into tourism as a tool to provide educational, impactful experiences that benefit people, place and planet.
Different types of tourism experiences
Edutourism: Edutourism, or educational tourism, is where individuals engage in educational experiences while exploring new areas. It combines elements of tour guiding with learning opportunities, enriching locals and visitors understanding of culture, history, or environment.
Voluntourism: Voluntourism involves participating in volunteer work as part of a travel experience, contributing to local initiatives and conservation efforts. It combines the desire to explore with the desire to make a positive impact, allowing people to engage in meaningful activities while exploring new places.
Ecotourism: Ecotourism focuses on treading carefully and responsible in natural areas to conserve the environment, sustain the well-being of local people, and educate visitors about the importance of conservation. It aims to minimise negative impacts on ecosystems and promote sustainable practices, fostering a deeper connection between people and the natural world.
Sustainable tourism: Sustainable tourism seeks to minimise the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, society, and economy, while maximising the benefits for all stakeholders involved.
Regenerative tourism: Regenerative tourism goes beyond sustainability by aiming to actively restore and regenerate the ecosystems, cultures, and communities. It focuses on creating positive impacts, such as biodiversity conservation, cultural revitalisation, and social empowerment, to leave destinations in a better condition than before.
Exploring new eco experience offerings
If you would like to increase environmental stewardship and conservation in the local environment and community, there are a range of opportunities available to start on your journey. This may include:
- looking into the sustainability of your business with a range of programs
- learning how to provide quality sustainability experiences for customers through experiences and guiding
Provide best practice guiding and education on nature
Become a best practice tour guide
Tour guiding is a rewarding and fascinating way to tell stories and work. It’s also a great way to diversify your business or a flexible career option and may be a new product you offer as an individual or business.
There are many places to explore in Townsville. Having the right qualifications and training will build resilience and environmentally conscious processes in your tours and trails. Ecotourism is a business model that follows best practice global standards.
View the Australian Tourism Export Council’s guide on How To Become a Tour Guide: How to become a Tour Guide.
No tour guide experience?
The Tour Guides Australia Council offer the following:
There are a range of courses available to gain new skills and qualifications in guiding. See the Australian Tourism Export Council website.
Have some guiding experience? Become an EcoGuide!
Savannah Guides offer training to become a nationally recognised EcoGuide. This is for people with some prior guiding experience and will enhance your skills and experiences:
