Arenal Volcano is one of many nature tourism sites and activities in Costa Rica included in the Ecotourism Field Course for Professionals presented by the Nature Tourism program of Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The program will taking place from Jan. 19-26, 2012 and course registration is now open. For more information on cost, itinerary and educational opportunities go to the Nature Tourism website at http://naturetourism.tamu.edu. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo by Miles Phillips).
COLLEGE STATION – Registration has begun for the Ecotourism Field Course for Professionals to be held in Costa Rica and presented by the Nature Tourism program of Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
“Tourism professionals, landowners and community representatives can learn first-hand about ecotourism and agritourism from some of the best in the industry through this specially designed field course of Costa Rica,” said Miles Phillips, AgriLife Extension nature tourism specialist and course coordinator in College Station.
The Costa Rica program will take place Jan. 19-26, 2012. Pricing information and details on course and tour activities can be found at http://naturetourism.tamu.edu.
“This is an experiential field course which will provide tourism practitioners, ranchers, land managers or anyone else the opportunity to experience successful nature and agritourism operations and communities, Phillips said. “It also provides the opportunity to learn about marketing, product development, guides and certification from business managers in a country that is a world leader in ecotourism and agritourism.”
He said attendees will learn much to enhance or improve their own ecotourism or agritourism business during the program.
“In recent years, Texas has had some significant statewide growth in nature tourism,” Phillips said. “A 2006 survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes the economic value of nature tourism, including wildlife-related recreation, and demonstrates the importance of recognizing and promoting best practices in the industry.”
He said the survey stated that in 2006 about 6 million people in Texas participated in some form of recreation involving fish and wildlife. During that year, anglers, hunters and wildlife viewers generated $8.91 billion in retail sales, creating $4.67 billion in salaries and wages, and supporting 139,404 jobs.
“The Costa Rica program will include visits to tourism operations and discussions with ecotourism and agritourism business owners,” Phillips said. “We’ll hear directly from them about how they have succeeded and discuss applications for Texas operations.”
He said the group will be hosted full-time by a professional, certified Costa Rican naturalist guide and will travel by private transportation using a private driver.
“This will be a top-notch educational experience that will include many fun and interesting activities for the participants,” he said.
Itinerary highlights will include:
– Manuel Antonio National Park and La Foresta Private Lodge, where participants will experience a variety of forest and coastal tourism operations on a private landowner operation, as well as visit coastal attractions and other public and private attractions.
-La Fortuna, a city known for its hot springs, rafting and hiking.
– Arenal Observatory Lodge, which faces Arenal Volcano and is a popular site for nature tourists.
– The Texas A&M Soltis Center for Research and Education, which represents and supports Latin American programs of Texas A&M University System. Soltis is a forest research center located on the mountain slopes outside La Fortuna and near farm-based tourism operations.
He said other program opportunities include a canopy zip-line experience, coastal boating tour, snorkeling, hikes led by a professional naturalist guide and a behind-the-scenes tour of an agritourism farm operation.
“Some itinerary items are subject to change, but there are additional opportunities available for additional activities, including kayaking, catamaran sailing, birding, botanical walks, boat trips, the hot springs and more,” Phillips said. “We’ll also have facilitated lessons and discussions on ecotourism product development, marketing, guiding, agricultural diversification and other topics.”
For more information, go to http://naturetourism.tamu.edu or contact Phillips at 979-845-1023 or mdphillips@ag.tamu.edu. A detailed itinerary, Costa Rica slide show and travel tips also can be found on the Nature Tourism website.
To register online for the program, go to https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu and enter “Costa Rica” in the keyword search box.
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