1. Business planning and mentoring:
MEA can identify and provide personalized support and mentorship to member ecotourism enterprises, ensuring they have clear business plans and marketing strategies.
2. Access to finance:
Financing can be a major obstacle for small member ecotourism enterprises. MEA can connect businesses with funding or incentivize them to apply for loans, grants or other available alternative sources of funding.
3. Industry partnerships:
Partnerships can be vital in increasing exposure and expanding business opportunities. Member ecotourism enterprises can partner with member ecotourism enterprises as well as other businesses such as hotels or tour operators in the global tourism industry, who share the same commitment to sustainable tourism practices.
4. Training and capacity building services:
Capacity and skills development training is necessary for young inexperienced entrepreneurs. MEA can offer relevant training to support member ecotourism enterprises to gain necessary skills and knowledge about marketing, entrepreneurial and sustainable practices that increase the quality and quantity of their services and products.
5. Sustainable practices:
MEA can advocate for sustainable tourism policies and regulations to ensure an enabling environment for member ecotourism enterprises. This will also increase investor and industry confidence in the ecotourism industry.
6. Technology to scale up and expand:
Member ecotourism enterprises can leverage digital and online marketing platforms to showcase their services and expand their reach beyond their geographical borders.
7. Monitor and Evaluate Performance:
MEA can provide support in monitoring and evaluation to determine the success of member ecotourism enterprises, check availability of necessary resources, adherence to safety and sustainable measures, take feedback, and review examples of best practices for improvement.
