ECO PRO continued
burden, a view that is both incorrect and potentially costly. For individual operators, well-trained staff can improve service quality, differentiate products, create more compelling guest experiences, and strengthen staff pride. For a destination, the collective impact can lead to greater market resilience. Dive travelers increasingly can compare operators, research environmental claims, and choose experiences that align with their interests before booking. A destination that can credibly demonstrate knowledgeable guides, responsible prac- tices, and meaningful marine experiences has a stronger story to tell than a destination competing only on price, convenience, or scenery. The goal is not merely to attach the label “sustainable” to a marketing message. It is to create experiences that truly merit the label. That requires expertise in marine ecology, diver-impact management, guest communication, interpretation, site plan- ning, responsible wildlife interaction, and operational proce- dures. When those skills are in place, conservation becomes part of the product - not a separate initiative running alongside it. ECO PRO as a Practical Response: This is the need that Ocean Education International’s ECO PRO program is de- signed to address. ECO PRO combines self-paced online instruction with hands-on, on-site learning. Its curriculum covers sustainable dive tourism, coral-reef ecology, environmental best practices, guest education, interpretation, and tourism marketing. It is designed to help dive professionals align responsible operations with stronger customer experiences and improved business performance. As Horne suggests in his editorial, the program incorporates principles from Green Fins, the international initiative focused on reducing the environmental impacts of diving and snor- keling. It also incorporates the International Standards Or- ganization’s standards applicable to diving and snorkeling service providers (ISO 21416 and ISO 21417). For governments, DMOs, and NGOs, the ECO PRO Trainer Program may be particularly relevant. It uses a train- the-trainer model to prepare selected managers, training di- rectors, or experienced lead divemasters to deliver and reinforce ECO PRO training within their own operations. The process includes candidate selection, implementation planning, online coursework, expanded on-site instruction, and an environmental assessment to support progress toward Green Fins certification. Rather than treating training as a
one-off event, the model builds local capacity that endures at the destination after the initial program ends. That is especially valuable when staff turnover is a concern. A trained internal leader can orient new employees, keep standards visible, tailor examples to local sites, and sustain momentum after a public- or NGO-funded pilot ends. An Investment in the Destination’s Future: Horne’s Curaçao warning is ultimately about time. A destination cannot afford to wait until reef decline, visitor dissatisfaction, or community frustration becomes impossible to ignore. By then, the cost of recovery may far exceed the cost of preven- tion. A strong marine tourism destination is built on more than promotion. It depends on the people who guide visitors through its most valuable natural resources. When local dive professionals have the knowledge, confidence, and tools to protect reefs while making the experience more meaningful, everyone benefits. Guests receive more than a dive; they gain a reason to care. Operators gain a stronger product and more capable staff. Communities gain a tourism sector better aligned with long-term well-being. And destination leaders gain practical partners in delivering on their sustainability commitments.
Supporting professional development is not an optional add-on. It is one of the clearest ways to ensure that the promise a destination makes is the one every visitor actually experiences.
Horne’s Report
SEE DR. ALEX BRYLSKE AT DEMA 2026 DEMA Show attendees are invited to Dr. Alex Brylske’s seminar, " Creating a New Standard for Sustainable Dive Tourism, " which will highlight the new Florida Keys Sustainable Dive Tourism Initiative, sponsored by the Monroe County Tourism Development Council. The session demonstrates how tourism departments and operator associations can transform environmental stewardship into a powerful destination-branding tool that attracts premium, sustainability-minded travelers. Learn how to build a regional model that safeguards marine re- sources while providing a measurable competitive advantage. Discover how your destination or association can adopt these same proven strategies to lead the next era of professional, prof- itable, and planet-positive dive tourism. The program is scheduled for 2:00 pm on November 5th in meeting room 265 . If you
are unable to attend, you may send a representative. Alternatively, you can arrange to meet Dr. Brylske at the Visit Florida booth 612 . Contact him at brylske@me.com to schedule an appointment.
contact Alex
SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY | 43
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker