Faculty of Business: Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject examines the breadth and significance of tourism's interactions with its economic, physical, social, cultural, political and legal environments; the implications of these interactions for the development and management of tourism; contemporary environmental issues which affect tourism in Australia; and the application of basic economic and environmental evaluation techniques to tourism-related problems.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Understand various interpretations of the concept of sustainability and how these apply to the management of tourism attractions, enterprises and destinations.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of the scope and scale of the economic, social, cultural and biophysical impacts of tourism in a variety of contexts.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between tourism and its environments and the connection this has to the concept of sustainability.
4. Identify, discuss and evaluate government policies and industry-based initiatives intended to enhance the sustainability of tourism attractions, enterprises and destinations.

Contribution to graduate profile

Tourism and Sustainability is a core subject in both the Bachelor of Management in Tourism and Bachelor of Management in Tourism and Hospitality. Sustainability is a significant contemporary issue that affects both industry practices and the policy environment in which tourism develops. This subject explores issues associated with the long-term management of tourism enterprises and destinations and discusses ways in which tourism can be developed and managed sustainably. It considers both the ongoing commercial viability of tourism, which relies on the maintenance of its environmental asset base, as well as the contribution which tourism makes to the overall well-being of present and future generations. This knowledge contributes to the development in students of significant professional skills and knowledge, as well as a sense of social responsibility and ethical behaviour.

Teaching and learning strategies

Lectures, supplemented by audio-visual presentations and guest speakers; tutorials based on discussion of prescribed readings and set practical tasks, role plays and debates; independent project work. Content for this subject will be supported by UTS Online.

Content

• The concept of sustainability
• Tourism-environment relationships
• Environmental impacts of tourism
• Tourism and the environment as a sustainable relationship
• Broad options for achieving sustainability of tourism
• Sustainable attractions and sustainable tourism enterprises
• Sustainable destinations.

Assessment

Essay (Individual)	40%
This addresses objectives 1-3.
Workbook and Field Project (Individual)	30%
This addresses objectives 1-4.
Examination (Individual)	30%
This addresses objectives 1-4.

The examination is conducted under University examination conditions, and hence thoroughly addresses concerns regarding secure assessment. Examination questions, fieldwork and essay topics are updated each year. Choice in essay topics encourages motivation in independent work.

Recommended text(s)

Holden, A. (2000). Environment and Tourism. London: Routledge.

Indicative references

Font, X. and Buckley, R.C. (eds) (2001). Tourism Ecolabelling; Certification and Promotion of Sustainable Management. Oxford: CABI.

Harris, R., Griffin, T. and Williams, P. (eds) (2002). Sustainable Tourism: a Global Perspective. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Newsome, D., Moore, S.A. and Dowling, R.K. (2002). Natural Area Tourism: Ecology, Impacts and Management. Clevedon: Channel View.

Wearing S.L. and Neil, J. (1999). Ecotourism: impacts, potential and possibilities. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Weaver, D. (2001). Ecotourism. Queensland: Wiley.