Community Centred Conservation - National accredation for Marine Tour Guides in Palau

National accredation for Marine Tour Guides in Palau

Timeframe: 2002-2005

Click here to see our publications from this work

C3 was contracted by Koror State Government to develop a reference manual to accompany a course for marine tour guides operating in the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon Area. Almost all visitors to Palau will snorkel and/or dive in this part of Palau which is famous for its fascinating blue holes and thrilling wall dives. Koror State completed a management plan for the area in 2003, which included the implementation of a certification course compulsory for all marine tour guides working in the area. The course will provide them with information on Palau's history, culture, marine environment and relevant laws and regulations as well as suggestions for best environmental practices while guiding in the Rock Islands area.

This programme will help to ensure that accurate information is imparted to tourists about Palau's natural and cultural heritage and the ways in which it can be protected for the future.

The manual is now available in English, Japanese and Mandarin.

Dive tourism

Our partners

We would like to thank Koror State Government for giving us the opportunity to compile this manual and for their support throughout the project. In particular, thanks to Adalbert Eledui, the Director, and Ilebrang Olkeriil, Rock Islands Coordinator as well as Dr. Kathy Chaston, Coastal Management Officer. Special thanks to Michael Gilinski for providing the beautiful watercolor illustrations featured on the front cover and on the section dividers. Thanks to all the marine tour operators who participated in the consultation phase of this project and provided valuable suggestions regarding the content of both the manual and the certification course. We appreciate your contributions and hope that you will be satisfied with the final product. Many thanks to Palau Visitors Authority, Dr. Patrick Colin, Kevin Davidson and Palau Conservation Society for allowing us permission to use their photographs. Materials for the manual were kindly donated by Mrs. Ann Kitalong, The Environment Inc., Division of Arts & Culture, Division of Marine Law Enforcement, Palau Community College, Palau Visitors Authority, Environmental Quality Protection Board, David Idip Jr., Palau International Coral Reef Center, Palau Conservation Society, Kelly Raleigh of Palau Land and Resource Imaging System (PALARIS), The Nature Conservancy, the Palau Red Cross Society, the National Emergency Management Office, the Division of Transportation, amongst others. We thank Dr. Laura E. Martin, Dr. Michael N. Dawson, and Lori J. Bell of the Coral Reef Research Foundation for providing the section on the marine lakes. Thanks to Belau Tourism Association (BTA) and the Japanese BTA for their cooperation and support of this project.