In a significant stride towards advancing ecotourism knowledge and skills across the Mediterranean and beyond, MEET Network is proud to announce the launch of four new online courses on ecotourism development in collaboration with the IUCN Academy.

These free, self-paced courses cover essential aspects of the MEET Ecotourism Model, including building effective partnerships, product development, mastering guiding, and interpretation, and implementing compelling marketing strategies. Each course is completely free, self-paced and includes modules, quizzes, course evaluations, and the opportunity for students to earn a Certificate of Completion.

The development of the courses was made possible thanks to funding from the Interreg Med Programme DestiMED PLUS project and the MAVA Fondation Pour La Nature and went live on the 20th of December. Created by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative, with technical support from TrainingAid and MEET Network partner The Travel Foundation. The courses are hosted on IUCN’s new e-learning platform, IUCN Academy which was launched in September 2021.

While all four courses are relevant to individuals interested in ecotourism development, the graphic below presents a suggested learning journey tailored to different stakeholders and their needs.

Building and Managing Effective Ecotourism Partnerships (2 - 5 hours, 5 modules)

Spanning 2-5 hours and five modules, Building and Managing Effective Ecotourism Partnerships covers the essentials of establishing Local Ecotourism Clusters (LECs) and is primarily geared towards professionals in protected area management. The course delves into governance, stakeholder engagement, and practical insights for the long-term management of participatory bodies including the benefits of effective LECs. Participants will also learn about the importance of participatory governance structures, convening stakeholders, assigning roles, and supporting sound management to fulfil its purpose.

Drawing from real-world case studies in the Mediterranean region, students can gain tangible examples of ecotourism clusters in action, and gain a hands-on understanding of participatory management structures.

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Designing an Attractive Ecotourism Itinerary (5 – 8 hours, 3 modules)

Designing an Attractive Ecotourism Itinerary offers a step-by-step guide to ecotourism product development using the MEET Model. The course is ideal for Inbound Tour Operators (ITOs) and protected area managers looking to adopt the model in their destinations.

While the model is tailored for Mediterranean regions, it is adaptable globally and will equip students with knowledge of MEET product criteria and the value of developing sustainable, low-impact tourism that aligns with conservation goals. Benefits include discovering key components of MEET ecotourism products, demonstrating best practices in building and marketing these products, and acquiring skills to design engaging ecotourism product descriptions that resonate with target markets.

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Guiding and Interpretation for an Impactful Ecotourism Experience (2 – 5 hours, 7 modules)

With a total of seven modules, Guiding and Interpretation for an Impactful Ecotourism Experience focuses on how to elevate ecotourism experiences through guiding and interpretation. The course emphasises the significant impact of interpretation, organisation, and tour leadership. It specifically delves into thematic interpretation and the nuanced roles of tour leaders and guides, drawing from adventure travel sector best practices.

This course is an invaluable resource for tour leaders and guides, who will gain insight into various aspects of tour leadership, better techniques for meeting target market needs, and the integration of thematic interpretation to enhance understanding of protected areas and cultural heritage. Real-life case studies also enrich the learning experience, offering practical examples of best practices.

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© MEET Network (Author: Green Traveller)

Compelling Marketing of Ecotourism (1 – 2 hours, 3 modules)

Last but certainly not least, Compelling Marketing of Ecotourism invites students to master the delicate art of ecotourism marketing. Looking beyond the mere promotion of ecotourism, the course delves into key marketing concepts, itinerary design, how to tailor products to diverse markets, establishing commercial partnerships, agreeing on pricing strategies, and the role of storytelling in crafting an effective marketing strategy.

The course also provides practical strategies to adjust existing ecotourism packages to meet market trends and the continuously evolving needs of market segments.

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Register for the Courses Now

To register for MEET Network’s online courses on ecotourism development create a free IUCN Academy account now. Alternatively, for more information on MEET Network’s online learning resources and details on how to register for these free courses please visit the Online Learning section of our website.