The Role of Local Environmental Conductors and Training Courses in the Tourism Ecodevelopment and Social Expectations in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Who is the local environmental conductor and what is his/her role toward nature, tourism and society? These are fundamental questions that guide the structuring and implementation of professional training courses for this profile that influences both the view of society on the professional "conductor" and his/her contribution to conservation and environmental protection as well. Although there are recommendations regarding the duration, themes and minimum contents to be taught in training courses for conductors, the concept of "conductor subject" is usually not explicit or detailed. The present work discusses and presents an outlook for this reference gap, based on the experience of practical training of environmental conductors in the southern Brazil by the Instituto Federal de Santa Catarina. This work also aims to emphasize the role of environmental conductors in tourism eco-development, as well as present the expectations of different “social actors” and conductor reports after their training courses.