Ecotourism programme planning

The idea for this book came as a result of what was viewed as a critical lack of information in the literature on ecotourism regarding the link between the service provider and the participant. This missing link or puzzle piece (perhaps there are many more missing pieces!) is the concept of recreation programming, which is a tool that allows for the enjoyment of intrinsically rewarding leisure experiences. Programming focuses almost exclusively on the element of service, which thus positions or situates forms of recreation, such as ecotourism, as experiences. Programming is a comprehensive process which allows for the incorporation of almost all information that either directly or indirectly affects the service provider–participant relationship.
For example, these days there is a great deal of discussion on important aspects of ecotourism such as leadership, skills, certification, accreditation and planning. All of these have been considered in the field of recreation and leisure studies for some time, and may be
central aspects of the programme planning process. As such, this is a book about the relationships that exist between operators and tourists, and about how providers can effectively plan and implement the most and best of their ideas through informative and educational programmes that allow for an appreciation of natural history and the natural world in general.

Từ khóa: ecotourism programme planning, recreation programming, programme planning process, informative and educational programmes, natural history, ecotourism programmes