TO3026:04
Ecologically Sustainable Tourism Planning and Management
Townsville
Prerequisites: TO2000 and 15 units of level 2 subjects
Inadmissable Subject Combination: TO2001 TO5026 TO6026
26 lectures, 18 hours practicals, 40 hours field work. Second semester.
Staff: Mr A Birtles.
This subject builds on the introduction provided by TO2000. It emphasises the relationship between tourism and the natural environment, the principles and practice of ecologically sustainable development and the planning and management necessary to minimise negative impacts. The biophysical processes operating in those North Queensland habitats most heavily utilised for tourism (reef and rainforest) are further examined. There is an emphasis on marine and coastal processes and the management of tourism impacts in such environments. A regional focus based on biophysical regions is stressed and the relationship between these and administrative jurisdictions is examined. The organisation and management practices of key Federal and State agencies are considered. The principles of ecologically sustainable tourism development and their implications for the industry are reviewed. Case studies of tourism-environment relationships in the Australian and Asia-Pacific regions are emphasised. The subject includes a field trip component.
Learning Objectives:
- To develop an understanding of ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles and practices;
- to develop a deeper understanding of natural environments and the biophysical processes which structure them;
- to have knowledge of the nature of current impacts on these environments and the specific role played by tourism;
- to develop an understanding of current theory and management practices to minimise such impacts in a wide variety of Australian and other settings;
- to become familiar with current integrated coastal zone management planning approaches.
Assessment guidelines to be advised after consultation with students.