Kobayashi-san always stresses in his brochure to Kakadu National Park, that getting out of the vehicle and taking a walk is an important thing to do.

HK: "You know that usually luxury buses are used for Japanese groups. But walking on foot gives us a true sense of an area and also allows the nature park ranger to point out fascinating phenomena that has to be seen up close. Being on foot, walking on a boardwalk through a rain forest allows travelers to feel nature with all their senses. If prospective clients agree with this concept, then they are welcome to join this tour. I wrote in the brochure there is no tight time schedule, and that this tour is for people who can be flexible, who will open their minds and really experience what is around."

LL: Since the "quantity" of customers is still the economic priority necessary for most travel companies, how can we seek out the travelers who are willing to pay a little more for a quality nature experience?

HK: "Profit earned through quantity and volume buying is the easiest way for most companies, but I think it is the wrong way. The most important thing is to level up the quality. By quality, I mean how our customer may gain a meaningful and good impression during the journey, so they don't forget its importance."

LL: Why should the industry conduct ecotours that are barely profitable?

HK: "In a couple of years, after we make a good system for ecotours, we will be able to make a profit. Not a big one perhaps, but some. Most Japanese travel companies don't think of separating the various types of customers. They try to attract everyone. On the ecotours we have been conducting, only clients that are amenable to our nature trip philosophy are encouraged to come. This is a different approach, but an important consideration, I think."

HK: "In Australia, the system of environmental education is very comprehensive. We can learn about this, too, especially as our industry brings so many customers to nature areas. Their experience should be deeper than only looking and taking a picture. The journey would be greatly enhanced, and value-added if we could learn and understand personally about the complex inter-relationships between man and nature, including different cultures, habitats, plants and animals.

The guide is very important. Mr. Kenji Tawara, who was a special ranger with the Northern Territory Conservation Commission, was very cooperative with us. There are so many great possibilities in that region for ecotours, but there are no other Japanese guides as knowledgeable about flora and fauna as he. Most guides only concentrate on the famous sites and attractions. They read from written materials so that, more often than not, the same explanation is given at each place. But in nature, life's script is always changing."