Course Title: Eco-Tourism Environmental Policy
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Eco-Tourism Environmental Policy
Credit Points: 12.00
Course Coordinator: Beau Beza
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3
Course Coordinator Email: beau.beza@rmit.edu.au
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None
Course Description
Since the term ‘ecotourism’ was first used in 1984, governments, academics, industry and professional organisations have been discussing what ecotourism means and how it can be implemented. In this course, you will have the opportunity to learn about the principles of ecotourism and the types of tourism activity that can be classified under this banner. Policy, accreditation, guidelines and good practice have been developed at many levels. This course aims to explore this fascinating area of tourism and its related values.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
On successful completion of this course you will be able to:
* Explain ecotourism in the context of tourism, in particular, nature-based tourism;
* Overview examples of domestic and international ecotourism operations;
* Acknowledge key issues related to the use and management of natural environment ecotourism venues;
* List key Australian general policy and government strategies or instruments related to particular areas of ecotourism;
* Recognise the essential role of local community as important stakeholders in ecotourism development;
*Identify the ‘ecotourist’ and key aspects of marketing for ecotourism;
* Note generic approaches to minimising impacts for ecotourism-based operations;
* Acknowledge education and interpretation as an essential part of ecotourism;
* Identify key methods employed in interpretation;
* For a focused ecotourism product, note particular strategies employed to minimise impacts;
* List key ways for developing and maintaining the quality of ecotourism products;
* Speculate on future directions and research required for ecotourism.
Overview of Learning Activities
You will be able to engage in a variety of lectures and smaller classes.
Overview of Learning Resources
You will be able to use a prescribed text.
Overview of Assessment
You will be able to prepare assessment tasks with a total word length or equivalent of 4,000 words.