How do we put ecotourism into practice locally

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How do we put ecotourism into practice locally?
Think global, act local
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Ecotourism conserves the environment
Sustainable Tourism minimises adverse impacts
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• Green Box Developing an Ecotourism Destination in
  3 ways .
• 1. Product Development -Grant Incentives with
  Environmental Standards/Training as Condition .
• 2.Network of Businesses 120 who benefit from
• shared training/Networking / advocacy role.
• 3. Marketing and Branding a rural product of high
  International standards .

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Training

• Design for the end user owner manager who will
  be implementing the project.
• Listen to them when designing suitable
  Times/venues. Use Language that is understood.
• Pick Trainers from the real world who have done
  things not trained about how to !
• Do not always listen to funders!
• Do not wait for Policies to emerge- help shape
  them.
• Certification does not always matter to end user
  .

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Training Delivered 2004-2008

• Certificate in Ecotourism with Sligo IT 70
  Graduates .Certified Fetac .
• Eu Flower Training /Sustainability for Business.
• Leave no Trace train the trainer .
• Greenbox Ecotourism Label practical 8 days to
  fill application .( Fetac Certified )
• Business Training web/pr /finance / Guiding
  /sustainable landscaping/Digital photography for
  web .
• Peace and reconcilation .

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Certification Standards

• What are the strengths of the Flower
• Strong on renewable /energy efficiency 11
  Cheaper Commercial Rates for our members
• Strong on biodiversity
• Flexible for different accommodation types
• Strong on record keeping/actual cost savings
• Sits reasonably well with other quality ratings
• Good focus on involving guests
• Involves staff

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• The Basic Rules of a Certified Ecotourism Product
• Has to be delivered in an environmentally
  friendly way (waste, green purchasing, avoiding
  environmental impacts
• It has to be based in nature and allow visitors
  to have a personal experience of nature
• Has to involve some kind of education/interpretati
  on (of nature)
• The product has to include a bit about local
  heritage and culture
• The product has to be marketed responsibly
• The promoter has to contribute to conservation
• The promoter has to show that they are benefiting
  the local Greenbox community

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• Types Ecotourism Experiences
• Eco retreat at Yoga Centre
• Orchard Acre Farm willow weaving
• Wilderness Therapy
• Film making, photography Course on Environment
• Walking Relaxing
• Canoe Bike Trails

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A sampling of eco-labels around the world
EPEAT
B
B
Where is Irelands eco label..
Nordic Swan
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Green standards for accommodation providers
Method of managing your use of energy, waste,
water European Environmental Management System
(EMS)- The EU Flower A structured approach to
reducing the Carbon Footprint of your business
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How Greenbox got 24 EU Flower Eco Labels

• Best practice/Case studies/Good advice /supply
  advice for all supplies
• Quality Mentors Managed by very dedicated
• Staff member of Greenbox
• Familiarisation trips/ pre audit inspection .
• Sharing what works well and what isn't working!
• A dedicated group of accommodation providers
• Many of which carried out these practices before
  training

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Training Mentoring
Delivery to Small Businesses
Listen to their needs deliver training at right
level/time/venue. 4 mentors employed to deliver
the Emu Flower Eco label (Technical
Environmental advise) Key qualities Skills
Mentors Experience of Audits/ Advice /
Business Start ups/ Clear Communication Skills /
Motivation experience Unbeaucratic /User
Friendly/Hands on training. Tourism Marketing for
many members first time involved with tour
operators/journalist / Packaging
Training. Attending Consumer/trade
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Keeping it simple

• Complicated schemes can be simple accessible if
  worked in the right way
• Our aim is to ensure that tangible benefits are
  actually delivered on the ground
• Finding the simplest route to achieving
  certification for your business is a priority
• Development of useful products can really help
• e.g. Info books for guests, training manuals for
  staff, Record keeping systems.

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Network based training

• Learning together-sticking together
• New contacts and friendships
• Keeping training informal and fun
• Improving image and exposure for your business
• Developing capability
• Creating a pool of intellectual capital within
  the group
• Mutual support and collaboration
• Encouraging best practice
• Creating confidence
• New business opportunities
• Flow of ideas

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• The future
• Progress from all national levels
• Failte Ireland Environmental action plan/Unit
  .Recognition of standards.
• Tourism Ireland
• NITB .
• www.change.ie Govt Climate Change Campaign
  across each dept .
• Sligo IT New degree EcoTourism
• Certificate in Green Event Management

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National funded network with Blue Book members
45 Hotels 8 started EU Flower. Looking Online
Training resources Further development Of
resources and working with other Tourism
groups -Bed Breakfast / Vintners /Self Catering.