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

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject provides an awareness of the philosophical and ideological bases that have led to the concept of ecotourism; an appreciation of the interrelated nature of the sociocultural, political, economic and natural environments in which ecotourism operates; an awareness of the implications ecotourism has for ecosystems; an understanding of cultural biodiversity and the effect it has on people's individual lifestyles; and an ability to understand the costs and benefits of ecotourism to society.

Subject objectives/outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate the inter-related nature of the socio-cultural, political, economic and natural environments in which ecotourism operates.
2. Evaluate the implications ecotourism projects and operations have for ecosystems, cultural biodiversity and communities.
3. Critically assess and evaluate from a planning and management perspective ecotourism projects, operators and practices.
4. Identify the management skills relevant to the management of staff, tourists and organisations in an ecotourism enterprise.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject is an elective within the undergraduate program of the School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism. The area of ecotourism has grown significantly and is an important source of potential employment for students in these courses. The subject provides a sound basis of understanding of this area for students with a wider focus who desire to work in the general field of leisure and tourism.

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching and learning strategies include case studies, workshops and field trips as well as lectures and tutorials. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• Principles and Practices - understand ecotourism and the environmental ethics and principles that may align themselves to the practice of ecotourism
• Planning and Management for Ecotourism - examine the principles of ecotourism focusing on ecotourism projects and operations and their long term planning and management
• Management Skills - Management and planning for the operationalisation of ecotourism: management roles and practices, negotiation and conflict resolution, managing groups, group needs and group decision making, organisational structure and information systems, management and social responsibility, managerial ethics, legal aspects, ethical marketing, managing money and ethical funding sources will be examined
• Ecotourism Case Studies -a number case studies covering a range of issues in ecotourism planning and management

Assessment

Essay (Individual)	60%
This addresses objectives 1-4.
Presentation of problem based Issue (Individual/Group)	40%
This addresses objectives 1-4.

The essay will be secure through a combination of continual updating of assessment across semesters, multiple topic choice within semesters. Further, a statement of independent work is included on the assignment cover sheet. Group work will include peer-assessment of individual contribution and continual updating of topics across semesters.

Recommended text(s)

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

Indicative references

Butler R. (1992). 'Alternative Tourism: the thin edge of the wedge', in Tourism Alternatives: Potentials and Problems in the Development of Tourism. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. pp.31-46.

Cater, E. & Lowman, G. (eds) (1995). Ecotourism: A Sustainable Option? New York: Wiley.

Fennell, D. (2003). Ecotourism, 2nd edition. London: Routledge.

McDonald, M. & Wearing, S. (2003). Reconciling communities expectations of ecotourism: a case study of the Avoca Beach rock platform. In B. Garrod & J. C. Wilson (eds.), Marine ecotourism: issues and experiences. Clevedon, UK: Channel View Publications.