Julie Carmody

Intensive tour guide training in regional Australia: an analysis of the Savannah Guides organisation and professional development schools

A number of authors believe that tour guide training may hold a key to passing on the concept of sustainable tourism to tourists. Savannah Guides Limited (SGL) is an organisation for tour guides interpreting and protecting the tropical savannahs of northern Australia. This paper examines the provision of intensive professional development schools, which the SGL organisation provides, to raise standards of professionalism for nature-based tour guides in remote regions. Its framework is based on Scheins three levels of organisational culture model, and Black and Hams 10-element performance-based tour guide certification programme. Active participant observation of the development school process and a self-administered questionnaire to SGL members were used to understand the organisations success. The main motivations for tour guiding are explored, as are the ways in which tour guides acquire knowledge. It is suggested that the provision of professional development schools in nature-based tourism regions benefits the guide and the tour guiding industry, and contributes to the protection of the natural environment. It is proposed that the SGL training model of professional development schools and certification be adopted by tour guiding organisations in other regional destinations as a way of nurturing and advancing quality tour guiding and professionalism.

Enhancing the role of host communities in the management of protected areas through effective two-way communications: a case study

The use of protected areas by the tourism industry and the subsequent impacts on host communities have been well documented. Less is known about the levels of knowledge that communities have about protected areas and how the members of host communities learn about these areas. If information search patterns used by local residents are not understood or, at worst, ignored, protected area managers may find difficulty gaining support from local communities. The research reported in this study investigates the relationship between local communities and management authorities using a case study approach based on the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (WTQWHA). The paper examines how residents of the communities that surround the WTQWHA seek out information on the nearby protected rainforest area and identifies the information delivery methods preferred by the community. Data used in the study were collected via a community survey (n = 853) conducted in 2007. Findings indicated that the involvement of the local community in a genuine two-way communications process about conservation strategies and the development of recreation opportunities increase the level of support for the management agency as well as the retention of the protected area.

Specialist accommodation operations in North Queensland: barriers to the implementation of environmental management practices

There are situational variables affecting the implementation of environmental management practices by specialist (or boutique) accommodation operators located near protected areas in Far North Queensland. These styles of accommodation are small, owner-operated establishments offering special activities, features or services to the guest and have a high host–guest interaction. From a survey sample of 101 specialist accommodation operations, 30 owners were personally interviewed at their establishment to better understand key factors affecting the implementation of environmental management practices for water, energy, waste and other sustainable practices. Environmental management techniques that are both simple and cost-effective are easily implemented by specialist accommodation operators. However, situational factors such as cost, lack of knowledge, climatic conditions, available municipal infrastructure and legislation appear to impede the uptake of some sustainable management practices.