TO5004 - Sustainable Tourism Development

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council the biggest challenges facing tourism and related sectors if the need to embrace and enhance sustainability. This subject focuses on the strategies and options available for tourism practitioners, in both the public and private sectors to assist in meeting these challenges. The subject has a dual emphasis on embedding sustainability in visitor experiences and on using tourism as a tool for enhancing the sustainability of destinations, especially regional ones. It will build upon the wide range of sustainable and eco-accredited tourism businesses in the Tropical North Queensland region to demonstrate these sustainability strategies and policies in action in a range of different environments and destination settings. The subject is built around three 2-3 day field trips which will provide students with intensive, immersive experiences in the region - one focused on coastal and marine tourism, one on rainforest and Indigenous tourism, and one on the use of tourism as a community development strategy in rural and remote regions.

There are additional charges for this subject; please contact the School for details.

Learning Outcomes

• describe and appraise core strategies for improving tourism sustainability;
• critically analyze the use of tourism as a sustainable destination community development strategy;
• develop and communicate appropriate planning and policy instruments to enhance tourism effectiveness for improving community wellbeing.

Subject Assessment

• Written > Case study analysis - (35%) - Individual
• Written > Critical appraisal/review - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Field report - (35%) - Individual.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.