Nebraska Department of Economic Development Division of Travel Tourism Ecotourism

1. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismEcotourism

2. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismCan you identify the ecotourism activity going on in this picture? There is an ecotourism activity going on in this picture. Can anyone identify that activity? Bird watching � Mt. Plover in picture.There is an ecotourism activity going on in this picture. Can anyone identify that activity? Bird watching � Mt. Plover in picture.

3. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism North Platte River � Garden County NebraskaNorth Platte River � Garden County Nebraska

4. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Its about not selling your resources short! Highland Trail in Scotland. Similar to many agricultural landscapes in Nebraska.Its about not selling your resources short! Highland Trail in Scotland. Similar to many agricultural landscapes in Nebraska.

5. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Highland Trail in Scotland, camping in a city park along the trail. Collaborative partnerships to bring travelers to your community. Cowboy Trail now open from Norfolk to Valentine. Opportunities galore to connect trail users with communities. (ex. Kadie Trail in Missouri)Highland Trail in Scotland, camping in a city park along the trail. Collaborative partnerships to bring travelers to your community. Cowboy Trail now open from Norfolk to Valentine. Opportunities galore to connect trail users with communities. (ex. Kadie Trail in Missouri)

6. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism 10 day tour for $5400 per person. Gourmet meals included. 2004 had 600,000 tourist spending $650 million dollars.10 day tour for $5400 per person. Gourmet meals included. 2004 had 600,000 tourist spending $650 million dollars.

7. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism All about creating a setting where the client will have an opportunity to engage with nature.All about creating a setting where the client will have an opportunity to engage with nature.

8. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Utilize local resources and recycled materials for infrastructure. Sustains the local economy and culture.Utilize local resources and recycled materials for infrastructure. Sustains the local economy and culture.

9. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Ecotourism Defined: Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people. Middle Loup River Cherry/Hooker Counties Nebraska.Middle Loup River Cherry/Hooker Counties Nebraska.

10. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Definition suggests 4 criteria Based upon nature Contributes to the conservation of the environment Contributes culturally and economically to the local economies Last criteria more suggestive, but�clients have a learning experience

11. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Characteristics of an Ecotourism Business Orients customers on the region to be visited Hires local people and buys supplies locally, where possible Recognizes that nature is a central element to the tourist experience

12. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Characteristics of an Ecotourism Business Uses guides trained in interpretation of scientific or natural history Ensures that wildlife is not harassed Respects the privacy and culture of local people

13. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Average age of about 55. $75,000 to $90,000 per year. Average age of about 55. $75,000 to $90,000 per year.

14. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Future ecotourist.Future ecotourist.

15. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Conservation dollars come into the state for habitat improvement/preservation through fishing and hunting license sells.Conservation dollars come into the state for habitat improvement/preservation through fishing and hunting license sells.

16. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Our culture or heritage in the U.S. has always been active in hunting and wildlife management through hunting and fishing. Those numbers have dropped in recent times due to a stronger interest in Wildlife Watching. Less parents taking there children out to teach them to hunt and interact with the outdoors. Richard Louve book - Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder. Hunting and fishing in the U.S. provides the majority of on the ground conservation funds for habitat improvement and protection. With hunting and fishing interest going down there is concern on how habitat and species will be preserved and protected.Our culture or heritage in the U.S. has always been active in hunting and wildlife management through hunting and fishing. Those numbers have dropped in recent times due to a stronger interest in Wildlife Watching. Less parents taking there children out to teach them to hunt and interact with the outdoors. Richard Louve book - Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder. Hunting and fishing in the U.S. provides the majority of on the ground conservation funds for habitat improvement and protection. With hunting and fishing interest going down there is concern on how habitat and species will be preserved and protected.

17. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism A few facts! In 2006, 71,100,000 U.S. residents participated in wildlife watching in the United States (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006). (23 million away-from-home) Expenditures in U.S. in 2006 = $45,654,960,000 (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006). ($12.9 billion - trip related)

18. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism A few facts! Expenditures on wildlife-related recreation in the United States in 2006 were as follows. (USFWS 2006) Fishing: $42.2 billion Hunting: $22.9 billion Wildlife Watching: $45.7 billion

19. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismNebraska A few facts! In 2006, 650,000 U.S. residents aged 16 years or older participated in a wildlife-watching activity in Nebraska(U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2006). Expenditures by U.S. residents for wildlife watching in Nebraska: $141,910,000. Equipment such as binoculars, cameras, film, and day packs accounted for $108,308,000 of that total (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2006).

20. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismNebraska Birding Trails Web Site UsageKnow your target audience! Birding Trails web site � increase in site visits to BT website after ad campaign.Birding Trails web site � increase in site visits to BT website after ad campaign.

21. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Motivators to ecotourism activities Participation in the outdoors Scenery (Lakes, streams, sunsets, no light pollution, no noise pollution) Serenity and solitude Viewing flora & fauna Meeting new people Experiencing new lifestyles

22. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism The key is creating a UNIQUE experience!!!

23. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismWhy is NE Travel & Tourism interested in ecotourism? Over 97% of Nebraska is privately owned -a need to create partnerships with private landowners, communities, and government to promote alternative income possibilities. Ecotourist stay in hotels, cabins, or B&Bs. Ecotourist use restaurants They travel here by airplane or car (or rent a car)�need gas for that car

24. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismWhy is NE Travel & Tourism interested in ecotourism? They buy expensive binoculars or outdoor equipment (Sporting Goods Stores benefit) They buy birding and wildlife books about the local birds or wildlife They buy mementos of their journey

25. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Development of an Ecotourism Business Ecotourism is about sustainability and the reduction of any impact on the environment. Goal is to have no environmental impact. Up to the ecotourism operator to determine what is unacceptable impacts and how to operate in a responsible manner. Design your facilities to minimize impacts and cause as little disturbance as possible.

26. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Development of an Ecotourism Business 2. Operate to: Minimize impact on wildlife Minimize impact on habitat Control the number of people on a site 3. Communicate standards to employees and clients on protection of wildlife and habitat.

27. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismEcotourism Activities

28. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismEcotourism ActivitiesBirdingwww.nebraskabirdingtrails.com

29. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Ecotourism Activities

30. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism

31. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismEcotourism Activities

32. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism

33. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismEcotourism Activities

34. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismEcotourism Activities

35. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & TourismEcotourism Activities

36. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism

37. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism

38. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism

39. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism�Experiences that engage us in our Natural Amenities�

40. Nebraska Department of Economic DevelopmentDivision of Travel & Tourism Tom Tabor, Ecotourism Development Consultant Central Regional Development Consultant tom.tabor@nebraska.gov (402) 471-7755