Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management

Sustainability represents an increasingly influential facet of tourism planning, development, governance and management, encompassing a diversity of sectors as the industry continues to expand globally. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is also forecasting that the growth rate for emerging economies will be double the rate of advanced economies in the years leading to 2030 and that a sustainable industry can therefore play a significant role in the achievement of the millennium development goals.

Effective planning and policy making for international tourism, and for the management of environmental, socio-cultural and economic consequences is critical. There is a growing demand for well-qualified managers who not only have a broad and deep understanding of global business activity, but a clear insight into the consequences of planning and policy-making on the environment, society, culture and the economy.

This course looks at how tourism can be compatible with the development of sustainable organisations, urban and rural development/regeneration, natural resource management and wildlife conservation, as well as the diversifying benefits from international and domestic tourism. It facilitates the development of skills and techniques to develop tourism policies and practices in a global setting and to management tourism development and enterprises in the direction of more sustainable practice.

Students are encouraged to take part of their studies overseas in order to broad their understanding of the international market and the role that a sustainable tourism industry can play in emerging economies. The course provides students with the opportunity to attend a partially funded intensive field school to study the patterns of development within an emerging economy in the Asia-Pacific such as Fiji, Vietnam or Cambodia.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

1. articulate an understanding of critical issues and trends in contemporary sustainable tourism practice and apply this understanding to devising practical solutions to problems in the field
2. apply knowledge of best practice in the planning, marketing and management of sustainable tourism practice in international contexts
3. articulate and apply an understanding of the contemporary international trends driving the industry
4. demonstrate a critical appreciation of the secondary literature in the field of international sustainable tourism management
5. apply a critical familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to international sustainable tourism management
6. apply advanced reading and communication skills, both written and verbal
7. demonstrate advanced analytical skills
8. demonstrate a thorough understanding of research methodology and ethics, and an ability to undertake a small, independent research project related to sustainable tourism management.

The course is structured in three parts. Part A. Foundations for international sustainable tourism management studies, Part B. Core master's study and Part C. Advanced expertise. All students complete Part B. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A or Part C or a combination of the two.

Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.

Part A. Foundations for international sustainable tourism management studies (24 points)

These studies will introduce you to international sustainable tourism studies at advanced undergraduate or graduate level. They are intended for students whose previous qualification is not in a cognate field.

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

These studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of the tourism industry, policy governance and research, to develop a critical understanding of the relationships between tourism and sustainable development with a particular emphasis on emerging economies and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises within them.

Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)

The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You have two options.

The first option is a program of coursework study where you select the units to suit your own interests. This option includes the opportunity to undertake an internship in the field.

The second option is a 24 point research thesis. Students wishing to use this master's course as a pathway to a higher degree by research should take this second option.

Students admitted to the course, who have a recognised honours degree in a cognate discipline including humanities or social sciences, will receive credit for Part C, however, should they wish to complete a 24 point research project as part of the course they should consult with the course coordinator.

The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Foundations for international sustainable tourism management studies (24 points), Part B. Core master's study (48 points) and Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points).

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

• Students admitted at Entry level 1 complete 96 points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C.
• Students admitted at Entry level 2 complete 72 points, comprising Part B and Part C.
• Students admitted at Entry level 3 complete 48 points, comprising Part B.

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

Unless otherwise stated, units with codes beginning with 2 or 3 are 6 points, and units with codes beginning with a 4 or 5 are 12 points.

Part A. Foundations for international sustainable tourism management studies (24 points)

Students complete:

a. Two 6 point units (12 points) from the following, taken during the first full time equivalent year of study:

• ATS2250 Communications and cultures in the global era
• ATS2490 Advanced professional writing
• ATS2547 Cities and sustainability
• ATS2628 Power and poverty: International development in a globalised world
• ATS2723 Social research methods
• MGF5991 Professional development - Career dynamics

b. One unit (12 points) from the electives listed in Part C

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

Students complete:

a. The following units (24 points):

• APG5609 Sustainable tourism development and planning
• APG5389 Tourism industry and marketing
• APG5720 Cultural tourism and events management

b. One capstone* unit (12 points) from the following:

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5390 Contemporary tourism and development in emerging economies
• APG5856 Research project*

* Students electing to take the research option in Part C (a) may consider that as their capstone and replace the capstone requirement with one of the electives in Part C. They should not complete both the research thesis and APG5856. Students admitted to the course at Entry level 3 who wish to complete the 24 point research thesis in Part C (a) should consult with the course coordinator.

Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)

Students complete either a. or b. below.

a. The following unit/s:

• APG5848 Research thesis (24 points)** or APG5849 Research thesis A (12 points) and APG5850 Research thesis B (12 points)

** Students admitted to the course at Entry level 3 who wish to complete this 24 point research thesis should consult with the course coordinator.

b. Units (24 points) as follows:

• APG5717 Applied industry research and practice

and one elective unit from the following:

• APG5054 Research methods for development practice and change
• APG5425 Perspectives on environment and sustainability (6 points)
• APG5426 Environmental analysis
• APG5433 Corporate sustainability management
• APG5628 Doctrines of development
• APG5805 Project planning and management in international development
• APG5894 Communications theories and practices
• APG5900 Cultural economy
• MGF5020 Business ethics in a global environment (6 points)
• any capstone unit not completed in Part B

Students entering at Entry levels 1 and 2 can complete a research thesis (24 points) that will provide a pathway to a higher degree by research. Students entering at entry level 3 will normally already have an honours degree, however, students in this group who wish to complete a research thesis in international sustainable tourism management should discuss the options with the course coordinator.

Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided they have satisfied the requirements indicated for that award during their enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts after successful completion of 24 credit points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above
• Graduate Diploma in Arts after successful completion of 48 credit points of study with a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or above.