How well does the Phillip island nature park fulfil its criteria for accreditation as an “Advanced Ecotourism” venue?
Definition of topic:
The Phillip Island Nature Park, which includes the Penguin Parade, the Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island, and the Nobbies Centre, states it has achieved the full criteria for being an Advanced Ecotourism venue. The Advanced Ecotourism certification is the highest level ecotourism a venue can earn. To achieve this, a venue must sustain the criteria:
1. Focus on personally experiencing nature in ways that lead to a greater understanding and appreciation
2. Integrate opportunities to understand nature into each experience
3. Represent best practise for environmentally sustainable tourism
4. Positively …show more content…
While these features are still adequate they were not as extensive as the features at the Penguin Parade, for example, the signage was only in English (although often illustrated with symbols to allow those from different cultures to understand the general message). Conservation practices were still in place, with raised boardwalks and roped areas to stop public access in order to further rejuvenate the area. While it was a good experience as far as eco-tourism was concerned, a few improvements could still be made to further benefit the experience of international visitors, however I understand that international tourists are less likely to visit the nobbies and so improvements would be less likely to be …show more content…
It covers all the aspects of ecotourism in that it educates the public on the nature they are experiencing (information centre, boards, signage, pamphlets) which are displayed in easy to understand symbols or various languages catering to the many nationalities of tourists that attend this Nature Park. Park rangers and guides also made themselves available to answer any questions one may have. Each attraction associated with the Phillip Island nature park protects its flora and/or fauna (raised board walks, penguin boxes, designated concrete viewing areas such as the grand stands and the penguin rehabilitation centre) and its location means it doesn’t disturb the local community as it is not near any majorly inhabited areas. The facilities inside the centres were all accessible by those with a disability (bathrooms, café, golf buggies to take down those who are immobile) which meant it could cater to a larger demographic. The Penguin Parade addressed all these points extremely well, creating a very sustainable and accredited eco-tourism venue. It made it a fun, exciting and worthwhile
Definition of topic:
The Phillip Island Nature Park, which includes the Penguin Parade, the Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island, and the Nobbies Centre, states it has achieved the full criteria for being an Advanced Ecotourism venue. The Advanced Ecotourism certification is the highest level ecotourism a venue can earn. To achieve this, a venue must sustain the criteria:
1. Focus on personally experiencing nature in ways that lead to a greater understanding and appreciation
2. Integrate opportunities to understand nature into each experience
3. Represent best practise for environmentally sustainable tourism
4. Positively …show more content…
While these features are still adequate they were not as extensive as the features at the Penguin Parade, for example, the signage was only in English (although often illustrated with symbols to allow those from different cultures to understand the general message). Conservation practices were still in place, with raised boardwalks and roped areas to stop public access in order to further rejuvenate the area. While it was a good experience as far as eco-tourism was concerned, a few improvements could still be made to further benefit the experience of international visitors, however I understand that international tourists are less likely to visit the nobbies and so improvements would be less likely to be …show more content…
It covers all the aspects of ecotourism in that it educates the public on the nature they are experiencing (information centre, boards, signage, pamphlets) which are displayed in easy to understand symbols or various languages catering to the many nationalities of tourists that attend this Nature Park. Park rangers and guides also made themselves available to answer any questions one may have. Each attraction associated with the Phillip Island nature park protects its flora and/or fauna (raised board walks, penguin boxes, designated concrete viewing areas such as the grand stands and the penguin rehabilitation centre) and its location means it doesn’t disturb the local community as it is not near any majorly inhabited areas. The facilities inside the centres were all accessible by those with a disability (bathrooms, café, golf buggies to take down those who are immobile) which meant it could cater to a larger demographic. The Penguin Parade addressed all these points extremely well, creating a very sustainable and accredited eco-tourism venue. It made it a fun, exciting and worthwhile