SOUTH TEXAS : NATURE TOURISM PROGRAM  

Welcome!, Bienvenido!
Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service, Texas A&M University
South Texas Nature Tourism Extension Program Site

Getting Started in Nature Tourism:    Financial Projection Tools:      Marketing :
Liability / Insurance :     Guides & Training :   La Copita Ranch Tours:
Additional Links & Resources :                 About this Site :

Miles D. Phillips
Extension Specialist - Ecotourism
Send email to: mdphillips@ag.tamu.edu
Office Phone: 979-845-1023, Mobile :  979-204-8448
Fax:  979-845-0871
Texas A&M University Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Sciences; Nature Tourism Page
http://naturetourism.tamu.edu

 

Getting Started: Business Planning and Formation Information
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PLANNING TO MAKE MONEY?

Use our RECREATION FINANCE program to help organize and automatically calculate revenue, costs, visitation summaries and cash flow month by month.

Utilize our FREE online financial planning tool http://www.rpts.tamu.edu/tce/NT/business%20planning.html

OR use the older version on Excel : Download this free Excel Program from Extension to project revenue

• Workshops & Training
  NATURE TOURISM: BEYOND THE BASICS WORKSHOP

            VIEW DESCRIPTIVE VIDEO (4 minute video)

Nature Tourism program web site at the Texas A&M Department of Parks Recreation & Tourism Sciences

• Key Points to Starting a Nature Tourism Operation - Handout
• Ranch & Nature Tourism-Frequently Asked Questions - Handout
• South Texas Heritage Trail: A route linking historic ranches and interesting sites open to visitation.

(A driving route connecting central South Texas Ranches open to guests)

• (Tourism Publications) (Case Studies on Ranches, Trails, Birding etc)
• Making Nature Your Business Guide (By Texas Parks & Wildlife)
• Texas Nature Tourism Fact Sheet ( By Texas Parks & Wildlife)

• General Texas Business Information
• Professional Business Start Up Services i.e. Incorporation etc. (One Example Resource)
• Model Business Plan by Texas Department of Agriculture (This is a PDF File and the Plan is not specific to Nature Tourism)

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Marketing & Market InformationBack to Top

·  10  Tips for Creating a Brochure that Sells

A Guide to Creating a Quality Brochure

• Extension Publications Available Online (Most are Free)
• (Tourism Publications) (Case Studies on Ranches, Trails, Birding etc.)
• Texas Tourism/Travel Sites
• Texas State Demographic Information
• Travel TX (Tourist Information)
• Travel Research, example: Hotel revenue reports for your area

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Liability/InsuranceBack to Top
We all know that insurance for our home, business, car, health etc. is a good idea. Insurance for a nature tourism operation is no different. Liability issues are generally not as troubling as they are perceived to be. Texas has established some laws that help protect landowners and Insurance companies are becoming for familiar with the safety records and needs of tour operators. To try and help you understand Insurance options Texas Cooperative Extension has published the following documents. As always we recommend you consult a lawyer and insurance agent for specifics but these documents should help.

• Insurance for Nature Tourism Operations in Texas  (Excerpt from the Publication; Developing Trails and Tourism on Private Lands in Texas (B-6103)

• Texas A&M Real Estate Center has published information on liability to help you understand your legal liability for ranch, hunting and tour operations. Go To Liability Publications

• Insurance Companies:  Examples of Companies that can offer policies for recreation enterprises: both water and land operations.

1) http://www.cbiz.com   CBIZ Insurance or go directly to the recreation insurance application at http://www.cbiz.com/BGSG/commercial/whitewater.html
2) http://www.kandkinsurance.com/    K&K Insurance. Under Attractions click "Outfitters & Guides" or "Hunting & Fishing" or as appropriate to your operationss
3) http://www.texas-wildlife.org/ Texas Wildlife Association, "Hunting and/or Recreational Lease Operation Liability Insurance Program is available to TWA Active members and above. The $2 million coverage is offered at a great price with low minimum premium. For information on this great Hunting and/or Recreational Lease Operation Liability Insurance Program, call Pat Quirk at (210) 821-5080."
4) http://www.txfb-ins.com/  The Farm Bureau Insurance program is now offering a policy covering hunting and other recreational activities.
5) Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association also offers policies that can cover the addition of recreational operations to your agricultural operations

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Financial Projection ToolsBack to Top

• Please call for a Emailed/Disk Copy or Download "Recreation Finances " from the section titled " Getting Started (Created in Excel 2000)
• Projecting anticipated revenue and costs to predict Net Income is critical component in a business plan.
• To help you get started and to help identify the types of revenue streams and costs involved specifically with a private Ranch/Landowner Operated Nature Tourism Operation the Texas Cooperative Extension has created a Computer Software Program (In Excel) that will help you create a 5 year financial projection with graphs and charts. It is called the "Nature Tourism Financial Plan 1.0" All you have to do is enter your business information on the first page/tab and the rest is done for you. The program is set up to allow you to enter up to 3 types of tours, lodging, retail & hunting lease information. This is intended as a basic tool. This will not handle your full accounting requirements.
• We recommend working with you County Agent or calling Miles Phillips - The Nature Tourism Extension Program Specialist at 361 265 9203. If you do not wish to use the Excel Program you can print out the first page for data entry and complete it by hand, then send it in to us and we will send you and print out. (For Texas Residents)
• One of the big benefits of the program is that you can easily make changes in price, attendance and cost figures to look at alternative business scenarios. This is very tedious when doing calculations by hand.
• Please let us know how this program works for you and how we can make it better. This is the initial version.
•  

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Guides & Guide Training (Interpretive Guide)Back to Top

• Certification Course Dates: (Internationally Certified Interpretive Guide-4 Day Course)
• For other course dates, including those outside of Texas see http://www.interpnet.com under "Certification"

• One of the most important features of a tour or a hunt is often the quality of the guide. Whether the guide is the rancher, a naturalist, part time or full time, teacher, specialty expert (plants, wildlife, history, culture, geology, insects, birds etc.). The term Interpreter or Interpretive guide is used to describe the guide who helps guests understand and relate to what they are seeing and experiencing. Basically someone who can Interpret the natural world and local culture to make it meaningful to the guests. It does not refer to being able to speak multiple languages.

• Texas Cooperative Extension will be offering Interpretive Guide Training courses. These courses will include courses that provide certification from the National Association for Interpretation. Anyone interested in learning more about this course should send or call in with your name, address and email. Send email to mdphillips@ag.tamu.edu Subject: Guide Training. Or call 361 265 9203 and ask to speak with Dianna. Courses for small groups and organizations may be scheduled by request.

• You may also want to look into training by the following Organizations
•     National Association for Interpretation, An organization that can provide certification in the Interpretation process.
•     San Antonio Guide Association: Also provides training and certification but with a focus on Central Texas facts.
•     For hunters interested in becoming a Certified Hunting Guide/Outfitter, including how to handle pack animals, cook etc. The " Montana Guide School " is one place to get intensive hands on 1 month training in the mountains.

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Links Back to Top

• Texas A&M; Recreation Parks and Tourism Sciences Extension Site
• LaCopita.com Ranch Nature Tourism Demonstration Tours & Information

Other Texas A&M Links

• Web Sites for helpful organizations
• Texas A&M Extension Home Page
• District 11 Agricultural Facts Site
• Texas A&M District 11 Research Center Home Page
• Texas A&M District 12 Extension Center Home Page
• Texas A&M Dept. of Recreation, Parks & Tourism Sciences
• Texas A&M Wildlife Information Site
• Texas Parks & Wildlife

Additional OrganizationsBack to Top

• Center for Nature and Heritage Tourism
• Texas Master Naturalist Training Program (For Service Volunteers)
• National Association for Interpretation (Guides)
• The International Ecotourism Society
• Planeta.com,  Ecotourism information for Mexico, Central & South America
• Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA)
• Texas Nature Tourism Council (of TTIA)
• Small Business Development Center in Corpus Christi (Del Mar)
• Historic Accomodations of Texas (HAT)
• Texas Coastal Bend Regional Tourism Council & Nature Tourism Committee

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This site contains information to inform and assist those interested in knowing more about Ecotourism and Nature Tourism, including how to enhance an existing business or get into the business of nature tourism.

Note: Although environmental education programs are closely related and are extremely important this site is specifically directed towards those interested in a sustainable business enterprise and/or quality economic and community development, especially for rural communities.

This site is a product of the Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE) Nature Tourism Program within the Department of Parks Recreation and Tourism Sciences. The primary audience is those people in South Texas; i.e.. TCE Districts 11 & 12. You will find information from national and international sources and information specific to south Texas.

This site provides printable documents, contact information and links to web sites. These resources include public resources provided by Texas A&M and many other organizations, agencies, businesses and individuals.

Feel free to contact me or other A&M faculty with questions or suggestions for links, projects and fact sheets
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Our intention is to provide useful quality information however due to our limited resources there are no guarantees regarding the accuracy, quality, or validity of information provided in this site or linked resources. If you have questions regarding information please verify through additional information sources. Thank you.  Note: If you do find any errors, dead links, or other problems with the site information please send an email to: CCNT Web Site Manager  and we will correct the problem if possible. Subject "CCNT Web Site"  Feel free to send positive comments & suggestions also...