This is a management level qualification for any individual who is, or wishes to be, involved in meaningful contribution towards the development of responsible, human and environmentally friendly, naturally and commercially sustainable ecotourism. The individual will be able to develop, plan and operate and ecotourism enterprise incorporating the principles of sustainable use, traditionally knowledge and livelihoods whilst balancing these with sound environmental and business practices. It is a qualification in a career pathway towards an accomplished sustainable ecotourism management and administration specialist.

The learner who has achieved this qualification will be able to integrate ecotourism management and leadership knowledge with those of customer service and the operational specifics of a given ecotourism context.

With regard to the implementation of sustainable tourism reforms, the qualification serves, as a basis of an effective implementation process by defining and identifying those competencies required by technical tourism officials in the private and public sector. The possession of relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes by such officials is crucial to the implementation of sustainable ecotourism management reforms. Thus, the qualification advances South African priorities in respect of the environment, conservation and community upliftment priorities in line with the aims of existing national and international pronouncements. In this way, the qualification enhances transferability of skills within different spheres of natural area management for ecotourism.

Qualifying learners follow a career in eco-destinations as Planners and Implementers in ecotourism division/s of Local Government and Provincial and National Government, NGOs and CBOs; Information Officers; Ecotourism Operators; Ecotourism Consultants; Eco-Destination Curator; Eco-Destination Accommodation; Eco-Destination Reservations and Conservation Officers.

Ecotourism Learning Areas

Note: The following lists are for broad information only. consult the relevant study guide for SAQA formatted outcomes.

NATIONAL DIPLOMA: ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT
INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: COMPUTER USAGE
LEVEL: 1

1.Windows XP
2.Word
3.Excel
4.Internet

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM BIOLOGY
LEVEL: 1

1.Five Kingdom system of classification
2.Organography of plants
Roots
Stems
Leaves
Flowers
Fruit
3.Animals: Invertebrates:
Identification
Ecological Roles
Life Cycles
4.Ecology
Principles
Biotic and Abiotic environment

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM BIOLOGY
LEVEL: 2

1.Use of Botanical Keys
General Keys
Specialist Keys
Plant Identification
Biomes of SA
2.Animals: Vertebrates
Identification
•Ecological Role
Life Cycles
3.Ecology
•Trophic Levels
Food Chains
Energy Flow
•Biochemical Cycles

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM BIOLOGY
LEVEL: 3

1.Utilisation of Plants
•Medicinal
Cultural
•By animals
•Aesthetic purposes
2.Animals
Specific and Zoogeography
Genetics (basic)
Basic Ethnology (behaviour)
3.Ecology
Ecological Habitats
•Estuarine
•Marine
Terrestrial

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
LEVEL: 1

1.Animals
2.Numbers
Principles involved with censuses
Different Census methods
3.Condition Determination
General symptoms of weakening conditions
Conditions determination of living as well as dead animals
4.Age Structure
•Age determination of live as well as dead animals
5.Sex Ratios
Veldt observations of live game
Sex determination of dead animals
Sex distinction
6.Plants
Monitoring
Classification
Subjective
Indirect: Aerial photographs
Direct admittance
•Ordinance
7.Geology and Soils
Basic Geomorphology
Introduction to geomorphology
Earth forces which change the earth’s crust
Origin and nature of important rocks in Africa
•Soil Science
Soil forming factors
Soil characteristics and their meaning
Basic Pedology
Basic Climatology
•Main weather movements and factors in South Africa
Climate Regions
8.Basic Astronomy
9.Fresh Water Management
•Catchment areas
Wetlands
Rivers, dams and fish species
10.Game Farm Management
Game industry
•Game species and numbers
Management of predators

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
LEVEL: 2

1.Overview to Nature Management
2.Ecology and population dynamics of animals
3.Ecology and animal behaviour
4.Ecology of predation
5.Ecology of game diseases
6.Management plans as decision support systems for conservation areas
7.Wildlife Management (General)
•Management science
•Management principles

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM INTERPRETATION
LEVEL: 1

1.Communication process: models / listening skills, etc.,
2.Communication technology, i.e.: audio visual aids.
3.Presentation skills (oral / written) – verbal and non-verbal.
4.Perceptions and Attitudes.
5.Credibility.
6.Intercultural Communication.
7.Group Dynamics.
8.Evaluation techniques and checklists.

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM INTERPRETATION
LEVEL: 2

1.Interpretation (General).
2.Interpretive Planning.
3.Interpretation as Management Tool.
4.Interpretation Techniques.
5.Trial Development and Constructions.
6.Ecological and Psychological Aspects of Interpretation.
7.Obstacles of Interpretation.
8.Techniques of Interpretation (Brochures and Publications; Exhibitions; Specialised Activities.)

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING : ECOTOURISM INTERPRETATION
LEVEL: 3

1.Field Guiding (General)
2.Community Involvement and Development.
3.Attributes for a successful communications / guide / officer.
4.Basic Maintenance Skills.
5.Clientele Services.
6.Traditions and Cultures of Various Groups.
7.Tracking Skills.
8.Environmental Education: Sustainability/Environmental Literacy/Development of Resource Material/Programmes and Tools.

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM MARKETING
LEVEL: 1

1.Introduction to Ecotourism Marketing.
2.The Ecotourism Market.
3.Ecotourism Product.
4.Ecotourism Pricing.
5.Ecotourism Distribution.
6.Ecotourism Retailing.
7.Ecotourism Wholesaling.
8.Marketing Communications for Ecotourism.
9.Marketing Planning for Ecotourism.

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM MARKETING
LEVEL: 2

1.Nature of the Ecotourism Product.
2.Leisure Marketing.
3.Psychology and Motivation for Ecotourism.
4.The South African Ecotourism Market.
5.The Marketing Mix in Ecotourism Market.
6.Sales Techniques in the Tourism Industry.
7.The Ecotourism Brochure and Print Media.
8.Public Relations and its use in the Ecotourism Industry.
9.Building Brand and Franchising.
10.Researching the Ecotourism Market.
11.Trends in the Ecotourism Market.
12.Direct Marketing.
13.Relationship and Internal Marketing.
14.Service Quality Management.
15.Strategic Ecotourism Marketing Planning.
16.Implementing the Marketing Concept in the Ecotourism Market.
17.Case Studies.

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM PRACTICE
LEVEL: 1

1.Global Eco-destinations
South and Southern Africa
Africa
Europe
North, Central and South America
Asia and Asia Pacific
Australasia
2.Tourist Guiding
Techniques
Management
3.Conferences and Other Events
Players in the Industry
On-site Management
Check-in / Check-out
•Special Programmes and Special Events
Trade Shows
Legal Issues
Meeting Technology
Logistics in Planning and International Meeting

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM PRACTICE
LEVEL: 2

1.Tour Operations
Designing a Tour
Negotiating and Booking a Tour
Costing and Pricing a Tour
Client Handling
Preparation and Despatch
Post-Tour Wrap-up
2.Guest House Management and Front Office Operations
Front Office Department
•Basic Reservation Activities and Documents
Check-in of New Arrivals
Front Office Accounting
Check-out and Settlement of Accounts
Credit Control
Dealing with Guest Problems
3.Customer Care
The Service Product
•Service Delivery Systems
•Hotels
•Restaurants
•Transportation
4.Resort Management

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT
LEVEL: 1

1.Entrepreneurship and how to establish your own business.
2.Management of a small business.
3.Establish your own business.
4.Entrepreneurship and small business management in perspective and personal assessment.
5.Basic business concepts for the prospective entrepreneur.
6.The identification of feasible small business ideas.
7.The viability of a business idea.
8.The business plan
Setting up a business
•General management
Finance
•Marketing
•Operations
Purchasing
Personnel
Administration
Public Relations


INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT
LEVEL: 2

1.Basic Principles of Financial Management of a Small Business.
Basic financial concepts.
Basic accountancy for the small business.
•Financial statements and analysis thereof.
The capital needs of the small business and financing these needs.
•Financial planning and control.
Breakeven analysis.
Sales forecasting and budgets (including cash flow management).
Credit collection management.
Inventory management.
Financial remuneration of the owner/s and provision for tax and insurance purposes.
Growth in the small business.
Tourism events and financial management of events.
2.Human Resource Management for a Small Business
General introduction.
Understanding yourself and the individual employee.
The South African legislative framework.
Preparing to staff your organisation: recruitment, selection and orientation.
Leading and motivating people for performance.
Developing a small business.
The South African labour relations system
Managing labour relations in South Africa
Managing consultants and contracts during special tourism events.

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT
LEVEL: 3

1.Introduction, motivation and economic environment
2.Services Management
3.Project identification
4.Business plan preparation
5.Viability test
6.Services Strategy
7.Quality Systems
8.Project Management

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT
LEVEL: 1

1.Introduction to Tourism
What is tourism?
History of travel and tourism
Tourism challenges and opportunities
2.Tourism Motivations
Segmenting the tourism market
Specialised tourist segments
3.Distribution Channels
One, two and three level distribution channels
4.Transportation
Surface transportation
Air transportation
Cruises
5.Accommodation
Types of accommodation
Classification and rating systems
6.Attractions and Entertainment
Heritage attractions
Commercial attractions
7.Impacts of Tourism
8.Future Tourism Trends

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT
LEVEL: 2

1.The Nature and Scope of Ecotourism Planning
Integrated ecotourism planning and development
Ecotourism planning and development process
2.Ecotourism Development in the South African Context
Agents in ecotourism development in SA
Roles and Responsibilities of key stakeholders in ecotourism development in SA
3.Marine Tourism
What is marine tourism?
Characteristics of marine tourism
Marine tourism opportunities
Impact of marine tourism
The future of marine tourism
4.Rural Tourism
Financing, development and marketing issues
Vacation farm operator
Key issues facing rural enterprises
5.Cultural Tourism
Definition of cultural tourism
Cultural heritage
•Cultural resources
Case studies
6.Sustainable Tourism Development and Planning
Nature and scope of sustainable tourism
Carrying capacity and LAC
Community participation in ecotourism development

INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERING: ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT
LEVEL: 3

Global environment issues
Tourism and Protected Areas
Sustainability in the Ecotourism Industry
•Ecotourism and Indigenous People
Coastal/Marine Ecotourism and Sustainability
Sustainable Ecotourism in South Africa