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Aug 14, 2:17 AM

Ecotourism a booming niche

Florida's ever-growing industry is faced with staffing challenges

BY DONNA BALANCIA
FLORIDA TODAY

Laurilee Thompson knows manatees represent more to Brevard County than merely a cool water creature to watch. The manatee is a symbol for a thriving local ecotourism industry -- but it is demanding to keep up with that ever-growing industry.

Robyn Bellinger of Apalachin, N.Y., photographs her children Meghann, 8, and Mathew, 13, at the start of a Space Coast Nature Tours excursion on the Indian River Lagoon. Image © 2004, Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY

"Brevard County is a leader in ecotourism," said Thompson, an advocate for nature-based travel. "We have a big manatee population, and we're a nesting area for sea turtles. And what we do here doesn't just affect the county, but it also affects the world."

Florida is ahead of the curve in the ecotourism industry, experts say.

The "ecotourist" has evolved from the sandal-clad backpacker roughing it in a tent to upscale city-dwellers looking to learn about -- and bond with -- the environment.

While ecotourism -- also called nature tourism -- is a booming niche of the travel industry, there are staffing challenges that are unlike other areas of the industry. There is a constant need for well-educated guides, and those guides need to continue their education in an ever-evolving industry.

"All these groups are doing a good job," Thompson said. "But there's no organized structure for continuing education."

It is the continuing education that gives a company credibility in the face of ever-increasing competition.

Independent guides and those affiliated with tour groups are stretching their time to accommodate meetings and groups, said Anthony Poponi, co-owner of Local Knowledge Guided Tours of Indialantic.

"I don't know if I'm different than other guides, but I have a degree in biology and I do a lot of reading," Poponi said. "I'm always hitting the papers a lot, and I make sure I see what's going on. I attend meetings a lot."

Thriving business

Ecotourism generally is defined as responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people, while providing a quality experience that connects the visitor to nature.

A white ibis takes flight from under a bald cypress canopy. Capt. Rick Thrift of Grasshopper Airboat Ecotours ercently piloted a group from the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival on a tour of the St. Johns River west of Cocoa. Image © 2004, Rik Jesse, FLORIDA TODAY

So it is critical for guides to be constantly up to date to provide the information visitors seek.

"Ecotourism helps Brevard County," said Doug Floyd, owner of Space Coast Nature Tours Inc. in Titusville. "A lot of people want to get back to nature and see nature. We have a healthy environment for the animals, and that brings the tourists."

Floyd said for the continued success of his business, it is extra-important to keep up with the current trends in the industry, like continuing education.

"My disadvantage is I'm away from the hotels, but I'm up there where there's real wildlife," Floyd said. "We get a little more of the migrating birds, and we have a nice, healthy manatees and dolphins we see quite often. The people really like to see the dolphins in the pods. There are a few pods that are friendly with boats."

Every November, Brevard hosts the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, estimated to draw millions of dollars in the five days it is held.

Neta Harris, coordinator of the Brevard Nature Alliance and Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, said the annual event is a hit, but those involved in ecotourism in the county must continually strive to keep the industry going.

"Many of the guides in the area have degrees," she said. "Many of them have degrees in natural sciences, but, mainly, the guides here have lived here for many years."

The need to promote

Penny Flaherty, owner of Island Boat Lines Inc. of Merritt Island, said it's critical that, in addition to keeping abreast of trends in the travel industry, ecotourism-company operators need to pay attention to how they present information to the customers.

"We have to be responsible with the information we're sharing with the tourists," Flaherty said.

Flaherty takes tourists on boat trips through the Thousand Islands and the Indian River area.

"Field trips represent a large portion of what we do," Flaherty said. "When the children are on the trip, they see the need to not litter. They learn the importance of looking out for nature. More than anything, we need to keep our waters healthy, keep the litter out of the water."

While there is an ever-increasing demand for ecotourism adventures, there are some drawbacks to seeing creatures in their natural surroundings.

"You can't always be guaranteed you're going to see something," Flaherty said. "Our animals aren't tied up."

Positive word-of-mouth helps promote the local tourism venues, but Bill Kowalick of Adventure Kayak of Cocoa Beach Inc.said there is a variety of means to get the word out.

"One thing is having a good Web site," said Kowalick, who has been canoeing in Florida for more than 25 years.

"We're getting a lot of business from the Web site," he said. "Second of all is coming up with a good brochure, and you want to try to distribute the brochures at the resorts. I put together a brochure, called 'Outdoor Adventures, The Best of the Space Coast.' "

Kowalick said it is important that the customer have the right attitude.

"I can tell over the phone if I'm going to have a hard time with a person, where I'll say, 'It's going to be another one of these days.' " he said. "It's not about age. I've had 70- or 80-year-olds come out with me who have a good time."

The value of nature

While there is inherent value in nature tours, customers often balk at paying the price, Poponi said.

"Value is one of the issues," he said. "When people think of doing something related to science, they think of it as being cheap or free."

Poponi said tourists are willing to spend on the typical Central Florida attractions like theme parks, but somehow balk at paying the price it costs to take a nature adventure.

"We don't do just the traditional tour," he said. "People, when they look at kayaking, they want to spend $25. That's a big challenge. People come to Orlando and think nothing of dropping $100 in a hotel, and $50 or $60 to go to the theme park, but when they think of science or nature, they don't expect to spend that much. The focus at my company is on small groups and high levels of interaction through kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, biking, diving."

A national issue

While many guides rely on their homespun knowledge, there is a national certificate program in the works that would give some uniformity to requirements needed by tour guides.

"Some developing countries that don't have the budget to do this, don't have the resources to do as much training for the guides and keep it up to date each year," said Laura Ell, membership and communications director for the International Ecotourism Society in Washington. "The U.S. has more access to trainers and facilities, for instance."

Within the United States, Florida is among the leaders in ecotourism, Ell said.

"Florida is ahead of the game," she said. "The operators are using the terminology 'ecotourism' more than others. Florida operators are really concerned about conservation of the natural resources of Florida."

Floyd said the ecotourism arena is growing.

"The biggest difference I see is tourism is large through Florida, and ecotourism is starting to grow and has a lot of room for growth," he said. "Another thing is, in Brevard, ecotourism has a lot to offer. In the state of Florida, people want to get away from the congestion of the parks and beach and see the natural environment. Brevard County has tons of that to offer."

Contact Balancia at 242-3647 or dbalancia@flatoday.net

Trends in travel in the United States

Here are some findings from a survey of travelers prepared by the research department of the Travel Industry Association of America: