Sustainable Travel

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the world's largest and oldest ecotourism association promoting socially, ecologically and economically responsible travel, announces the TIES University Consortium Field Certificate (UCFC) program, a unique opportunity for students in various disciplines to gain an inherent, reality-based knowledge of the principles of ecotourism within the context of sustainable development.

The UCFC program currently partners with the following universities: California Polytechnic State University, North Carolina State University, West Virginia University, and the University of Utah. TIES is working with existing programs at these universities to combine resources and expertise to offer a field certificate in ecotourism that will ensure an educational foundation in ecotourism, with a combination of flexible and standardized components.

With the first groups of students starting their certificate programs in Spring 2008, TIES is thrilled to officially launch the UCFC. "We welcome students interested in sustainable development and their respective university dedicated to strengthening their offerings in ecotourism and sustainable travel to take advantage of this innovative, multidisciplinary program. It is a great opportunity to link students with the profession and visa versa, a win-win for all," says Dr. Kelly Bricker, Executive Director of TIES and faculty member at the University of Utah.

The UCFC program assists individual universities in the provision of a concentration of study in ecotourism. These disciplines may include, but are not limited to: recreation, parks, and tourism; hospitality management; geography; business; natural resource management; public administration; and landscape architecture.

"We believe TIES and [the UCFC] offer our students a unique advantage in positioning themselves for careers in the field, and we as a program hope to further contribute to the relationships among universities, communities, and tourism that TIES is working to create, maintain, and improve," says Dr. Jerusha Greenwood, of California Polytechnic State University, the UCFC's newest member.

The comprehensive study plan of the UCFC curriculum, which incorporates on-campus and online course work and internship, provides a creative alternative course of study. "The UCFC offers an exceptional experiential learning and professional development opportunities," says Christina Cavaliere, TIES Director of Training and Education. "The UCFC participants will not only have the opportunities to engage in relevant study-abroad programs and coursework, but also gain practical hands-on experiences in projects and skill development."

The UCFC program is part of the efforts by the Training and Education Department of TIES to foster a holistic understanding of ecotourism and sustainable development through the education of multi-disciplinary students and professionals.

Prospective students and university members should contact TIES at: education@ecotourism.org. For more information about the program, and to download the UCFC brochures, please see www.ecotourism.org.

About The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

As the world's oldest and largest ecotourism organization, TIES is committed to promoting the principles of ecotourism and responsible practices in travel and tourism. With the goal of uniting conservation, communities and sustainable travel, TIES serves its members in over 90 countries, and strives to act as the global source of knowledge and advocacy in ecotourism.