Investigation

The governments of Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Ecuador would like to increase ecotourism, specifically by Americans, in their countries. Therefore, they have contacted the United States government to find the most qualified teams to create propaganda for this purpose. The US government has chosen you for the job.

I have already assigned your groups on the basis of country preference; each group also includes someone who indicated that he/she is tops in technology, English, organization, or design.

Follow these instructions to create the best propaganda that you can!

1. Visit all the links that I have listed on the resource page under “General Ecotourism Links”. Reading these links will help you to better understand exactly what ecotourism is, how it came to exist, and what types of activities fall into this category. Your research of the topic should conclude by playing Amazon Interactive: The Ecotourism Game. Each member of the group should play this according to his or her own preferences. Each person may achieve a different outcome based on the choices made in the game.

2. After you have followed the general instructions for everyone, your group will research only the links provided for your own country. (You do not need to look at the links that are specific to the other countries.) Please remember that the list is not exhaustive and that you should conduct your own internet search to find further information. Begin to gather some information regarding ecofriendly hotels and resorts, activities, and areas of your country that you wish to highlight as "hotspots" for tourists.

3. Compile all of your research into 2 final products. Each group must produce a brochure (in English - remember you are creating these for Americans interested in traveling abroad) on ecotourism that focuses on your country. Please see the evaluation page for all of the specific details. The other product is at the discretion of your group. You may create any type of visual advertisement for ecotourism. Some examples may include but are not limited to: a video, poster, web page, powerpoint presentation, song, skit, podcast or radio announcement. Both of your final products should be designed to encourage, entice, and incite people to want to travel to your country.

4. Prepare a short presentation of your materials (approximately 5 minutes). This may be as simple as pressing play on your video or as complex as organizing your powerpoint slide show. In any case, your group must be well-prepared for the presentation and part of the group grade will be dependent upon it. You should be prepared to explain your brochure and second product and be able to answer any questions I may have.

Investigation