Ecotourism
Dr Peter Cock, Associate Professor Jim Peterson and Dr Sharron Pfueller
8 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
*
Prerequisites: none
Objectives Students should have developed knowledge of the goals of ecotourism and its current practice; its ability to provide incentives to nature conservation; its environmental and social impacts; cultural and regulatory factors which constrain it; levels of international, national and local decision making; ways in which tourists may gain greater enjoyment and education about the environment and ways in which local communities can participate in and benefit from ecotourism. In addition, they should gain experience in the planning, design and implementation of ecotours and be able to explore the conflicts between conserving the environment and using it as a tourist resource.
Synopsis Australia is rapidly becoming one of the world's major nature-based tourism destinations because of its relatively unpolluted environment, extensive national parks and world natural heritage sites. Tourists seek travel experiences that are environmentally, socially and culturally sustainable and that offer opportunities for adventure and education. This subject provides experience in the planning and design of ecotours and in developing means of maximising the tourist's experience of nature. It critically examines ecotourism operations and destinations, the environmental impacts of the tourism industry and the need to establish methods for ensuring its sustainability.
Assessment Essay (2000 words): 30%
* Excursion report (1800 words):
25%
* Group tour design and report (2000 words): 40%
* Class
contribution: 5%
Recommended texts
Boo E Ecotourism: The potential and pitfalls vols 1 and 2, World Wildlife Fund, 1990
Nelson J G, Butler R and Wall G Tourism and sustainable development: Monitoring, planning and managing University of Waterloo, 1993
Weiler B and Hall C M Special interest tourism Island Press, 1992
Whelan T Nature tourism Island Press, 1991
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