Course overview
In this course, students can apply the skills and knowledge to make effective contributions to sustainable planning and administration of parks and protected areas, with particular focus on ecotourism and community engagement. Historical perspectives and future trends; Visitor Experience (ecotourism planning, risk management, infrastructure), park and ecotourism planning (understanding experiences and motivations, site planning, global trends, visitor monitoring, carrying capacity, 'climate proofing'), park and tourist management (direct and indirect techniques, volunteers, partnerships, marketing).
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate your knowledge of the need for effective protected area administration on a local and global basis.
- Reflect on the future of protected area management and ecotourism, both nationally and internationally, by examining past practices, key events, and current trends.
- Demonstrate ability to create quality visitor and ecotourism experiences that consider environmental, social and economic factors.
- Analyse various management techniques that may be used to manage the visitor and the physical resource to achieve resource protection while allowing for tourist use.
- Apply appropriate evaluation and monitoring techniques to optimise the ecotourism experience and minimise environmental impacts.
- Develop skills relevant to managing Aboriginal partnerships in parks; as well as partnerships with industry, communities and sponsors.
- Propose a solution to a complex park or ecotourism problem or opportunity using a systematic approach and knowledge of physical, social, and economic constraints.