Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Operator Training Needs

Rhodda, S. PhD

Tai Poutini Polytechnic

2009

Tai Poutini Polytechnic

Sandra Rhodda, contact information and profile, The New Zealand Tourism Research Institute at AUT: www.nztri.org/sandra-rhodda

Tai Poutini Polytechnic Greymouth contact information: http://tpp.ac.nz/contact.php

In order to ensure that Tai Poutini Polytechnic headquartered in Greymouth, New Zealand develops and delivers relevant industry-based training programmes in its areas of interest, a survey looked at the training needs of ecotourism and sustainable tourism operators in New Zealand. The survey found that although operators state they are trained in most areas, or do their own in-house training, they are definitely interested in training for themselves and/or their staff. More operators value the soft skills of good customer service, good oral communication, customer satisfaction, and a service culture emphasis over any other skill. Next most valued skills are in first aid, health, safety, and security procedures, and management of emergency situations. Sustainability skills are also important to businesses and operators want training in profiting from sustainability more than the mechanics of sustainability. In ecotourism, more operators would prefer data-based training (for example, information about flora and fauna) than training in delivery methods. Other valued skills include those in passenger service licensing, delivery of services to the disabled, selling and upselling, and food and beverage hygiene.

Winter is the preferred time to train and many operators would not travel to train; few would travel further than 60K to train. Operators would prefer short courses, and for these to be delivered on-the-job at their business. They also defined cost of training as a major impediment to taking training.

Because operators express a strong concern that staff lack dedication, commitment, motivation, reliability, and a work ethic, it is also suggested that Tai Poutini Polytechnic clearly emphasis to prospective students the realistic expectations of the industry and its operators.

Worldwide, ecotourism is a growth industry. In order for Tai Poutini Polytechnic to remain preeminent in New Zealand in the delivery of ecotourism training, it is suggested that courses offered be better publicized. Some operators found it difficult to locate information about training and appropriate courses. Therefore, steps should be taken to remedy this situation. In addition, ecotourism needs to be more closely packaged with sustainable tourism, partly because there is a growing government and industry focus on sustainability in tourism, and partly because even operators who are not ecotourism operators now have a growing interest in and need for information about sustainability. It is also suggested that Tai Poutini Polytechnic has a golden opportunity to place itself at the forefront of training in Access Tourism in New Zealand.

Access Tourism is an important part of sustainable tourism because providing accessible tourism products is socially sustainable.

Keywords:

Tourism, New Zealand, Access, Ecotourism, Commercial, Training, West coast, Survey, Recreation, Tourism industry

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June 27, 2012