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.