Course
title: Sustainable Ecotourism Development
Rationale:
Ecotourism has often been used to promote nature and adventure
tourisms without caring for their environmental impacts
nor their carrying capacities. Ideally ecotourism should
promotes nature conservation and sustainable development
for the surrounding communities from the income generated
from the tourism industry, but a good balance between travel
industry and the ecological, economic and social conditions
has been one of the major problems threatening both the
industry and the environment. Sustainable ecotourism is
thus an important issue for all parties involved whether
it be the government, the local communities, the environment
protection groups and the travel industry or authorities.
To develop an ecotourism industry, the various impacts which
visitors have on the environment, and the nature and scale
of impact that the environment can sustain must be carefully
studied where well-balanced business and management plans
must be carefully drawn out.
This course introduces the basic concepts of ecotourism,
the surrounding management issues, the understanding of
ecological issues, the business development, with an introduction
to the information and communication technology.
Course description:
This course introduces basic science and technology necessary
for the development of ecotourism to ensure its sustainability.
It is aimed at promoting tourism planners, conservationists,
businesses and communities to work together to develop sustainable
ecotourism plans and products. It covers all aspects from
ecology, model for sustainable tourism, business management
and applications of ICT.
Credit:
3 credits
Course duration:
3 months
Target audience:
1. Professionals with
at least a three-year post-secondary education from any
of (but not limited to) the following
2. Conservationists and Environmental Protection officers
in ASEAN member countries
3. Tourism business operators
4. Tourism Planners
5. Community Workers
Course components:
1. Introduction to
Ecosystem Management
2. Sustainability and Tourism
3. Sustainable Tourism Development
4. Ecotourism Model
5. ICT and Ecotourism
5.1. Internet Technology
5.2. GIS and GPS
5.3. E-business
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