Positioning University as Knowledge Ecotourism Destination: Key Success Factors

The roles of higher learning in providing a place for learning, talent innovation and research have long been acknowledged in tourism discipline. However, not much work has been done in exploring the roles of higher learning as a destination of knowledge ecotourism. With the aims to offering sites in learning and experiencing nature, socio-cultural and heritage of the university-owned research stations, this study attempts to identify the key success factor of higher learning as the repository to knowledge and expertise in knowledge ecotourism. This study is based on qualitative data derived from the discussion and brainstorming of the working committee for knowledge ecotourism and field visits to the university-owned research stations in March until July, 2011. The finding showed that the higher learning contributes to the development of knowledge ecotourism by serving as the leader and mediator between host community and guests, developing content and training module, producing multi-tasking talent workers and knowledge ecotourists and taking part in providing various site s orientation, job opportunity and platform for self-sustain economy to the university and local community. It is suggested further efforts must be done in developing the typology of the knowledge ecotourist and their special interests in ensuring the sustainability of knowledge ecotourism in the context of innovative knowledge economy.