Graduate School of The Environment
GSE826 Ecotourism for Sustainable Development
About this Unit
Unit offered: 2012 (unit offered in alternate years)
Offered: E1 and D1; First Half-Year (Combined Evening and Block mode delivery)
Convenor: Wendy Goldstein
Principal Lecturer: A/Prof Stephen Wearing
Prerequisites/Corequisites: None
Credit Points: 4
Unit Outline
This unit explores the role of eco-tourism in the attainment of sustainable development. Through examining a range of international and national case studies, students evaluate the community, cultural and conservation benefits and risks of eco-tourism and identify principles of good practice. Related themes such as community-based conservation, issues management and conflict resolution, the involvement of indigenous populations in sustainable income generating activities, gender and resource management will be explored. Students creatively apply their learning and build on professional knowledge to evaluate the management of an ecotourism project.
Unit description
The unit aims to build upon the student's professional knowledge and develop their capacity to plan and manage an ecotourism program to achieve sustainable development objectives. It engages students in an exploration of ecotourism related themes such as community based conservation, issues management and conflict resolution, the involvement of indigenous populations in sustainable income generating activities, gender, and resource management
The focus of GSE826 is on Ecotourism that contributes to change for sustainable development. Ecotourism for sustainable development is more than nature tourism, heritage tourism, sustainable tourism, cultural tourism or adventure tourism. In this unit, ecotourism focuses on community building and stakeholder engagement as processes, which assist communities in resolving environmental issues and contribute to social change.
Ecotourism for sustainable development explores how this commercial activity can assist in the transition towards a form of development which helps create stronger local economies and assist people who often have no alternative but to slash and burn for a coffee plantation, cut precious wood for fuel, graze land for cattle to feed their families or resort to other activities which degrade their environments. The course will consider whether ecotourism can give new value to a local ecosystem, provide a way out of the poverty trap, encourage community-based conservation and stimulate the value and protection of traditional knowledge. Recognizing that ecotourism can offer community and cultural as well as conservation benefits, international conservation and development agencies are embracing ecotourism to as a tool for the attainment of sustainable development. The course also explores their role in promoting and achieving ecotourism for sustainable development.
Rationale
This unit contributes to developing an understanding of sustainable development and can be taken in association with the other three units that form the core in the Sustainable Development awards (GSE 825, GSE 827 and GSE 828). The unit develops an appreciation of the processes of involving communities in determining their own development options and benefiting from their environmental and cultural heritage. As tourism is a major industry in the world, this unit assists those in other fields such as environmental management and planning to appreciate how to minimise impacts on culture, people and the environment.
Teaching Staff
This unit is taught by lecturers principally from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) at the Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University.
Please note that at times other than class times, the lecturers are not at the Macquarie University campus.
For general enquiries you can contact the convenor who is on campus. For specific course content matters please contact the principal lecturer:
Principal Lecturer/ Course design
Associate Professor Stephen Wearing
Leisure Sport and Tourism
Management Discipline Group
University of Technology Sydney
Phone: (02) 9514 5432
Email: Stephen.Wearing@uts.edu.au
Associate lecturers
Dr Stephen Schweinsberg
Management Discipline Group
University of Technology Sydney
Email: stephen.schweinsberg@uts.edu.
Ms Barbara Almond
Management Discipline Group
University of Technology Sydney
Email: Barbara.Almond-1@uts.edu.au
Ms Simone Faulkner
UTS Business School
University of Technology, Sydney
PO Box 222
Lindfield NSW 2070
Email: Simone.Faulkner@uts.edu.au
Management Discipline Group
University of Technology Sydney
Email: Simone.Grabowski@uts.edu.au
Dr Lea Scherl
Adjunct Associate Professor
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
James Cook University
Townsville, Qld, 4811
Classes
Classes are held on Thursday evenings 6.30pm- 9.30 pm in Semester 1.
Please note there will be 2 full days (10am – 5 pm) scheduled for a
a) field trip - 30th March 2012
b) an all day workshop session- 28th April.
It is compulsory to attend all sessions.
The dates and times are listed in the Schedule of Lectures below.
Unit web page
There is no web page for this unit.
Technology Used and Required
Web tools and e-discussion
Library Support
The Library's Information Technology Customer Support Desk provides assistance or information about student email accounts, password changes for MUOTF automatically:
Learning Outcomes
Through the successful completion of this unit the student will:
Specialist Outcomes
- Be able to conceptualize ecotourism and sustainable development;
- Begin to understand how ecotourism can contribute to the process of change towards sustainable development;
- Be able to demonstrate an effective grasp of the international literature relating to eco-tourism for sustainable development;
- Be aware of the principles and processes of good practice in eco-tourism for sustainable development;
- Be able to critique the value of strategies and programs in eco-tourism for sustainable development;
- Be able to contribute to the eco-tourism debate.
Generic Outcomes
- Develop ability to write cogent and clearly structured reports, addressing defined issues;
- Develop self-management and collaboration skills;
- Develop ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
- Develop creative thinking skills to envision, create and discover;
- Develop critical analysis skills to process, synthesize and evaluate;
- Develop cultural understanding and respect at the professional and personal level;
- Develop a capacity for independent learning and inquiry;
- Develop a sense of social, ethical and professional responsibility.
Graduate Capabilities Developed
This unit contributes to developing the "discipline specific knowledge and skills" graduate capabilities for scholarly understanding of sustainable development and in particular ecotourism, so that students can evaluate and plan programs, and use their knowledge in novel situations.
This unit contributes to graduate capabilities of "engaged and ethical local and global citizens" through exposure to cases from other cultures and social disadvantage as well having to respond to the demand of supporting and working with other students with diverse perspectives in group work.
The unit contributes to developing graduate capabilities to be socially and environmentally active and responsible, by developing their understanding of ways to improve the social and environmental condition.
Teaching and Learning Strategy
The sessions will consist of three main activities:
- Short presentations
- Practical workshops in which students are asked to complete a task
- Discussion groups
- Group work preparation
Schedule of Lectures
|
Date |
Session |
|
Thursday March 1st 6.30-9.30pm 2012 |
Session 1: Stephen Wearing Introduction to Course & Review of unit objectives, arrangements and assessments
Human-nature relations and the experience of ecotourism |
|
Thursday March 8th 6.30-9.30pm 2012 |
Session 2: Stephen Wearing
|
|
Thursday March 15th 6.30-9.30pm 2012 |
Session 3: Stephen Schweinsberg
|
|
Thursday March 22nd
|
Session 4: Stephen Schweinsberg
|
|
Friday 30th March 10am – 5pm |
Session 5: Stephen Wearing Field Trip Manly (10 am at Manly – 5 pm)
|
|
Thursday April 5th (no lecture) |
No lecture - Free week to complete Assignment 1 Field Trip Report Assignment 1 submitted (Field Trip Report) Thursday 12th April |
|
April 9-20th |
Easter break |
|
Thursday April 26th |
Session 6: Simone Gabowski
|
|
Saturday April 28th 10AM – 5PM |
Session 7: Dr Lea Scherl - Planning and creating ecotourism for communities and sustainability |
|
Thursday May 3rd NO Class |
Assignment 2 Submitted
|
|
Thursday May 10th 6.30-9.30pm |
Session 8: Barbara Almond
|
|
Thursday May 17th 6.30-9.30pm |
Session 9: Barbara Almond
|
|
Thursday May 24th 6.30-9.30pm |
Session 10: Stephen Schweinsburg
|
|
Thursday June 7th 6.30-9.30pm |
Session 11: Stephen Wearing
Assignment 3 submitted |
Assessment Requirements
Students are required to complete all three assignments at a satisfactory postgraduate level of achievement to pass the course.
These assignments have been designed to allow you to demonstrate to yourself and the unit convener that you have achieved the unit learning outcomes.
| Assessment | Description | Max. Length | Marks | Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 (Individual) |
Field Trip Evaluation | Complete Field Trip Manual | 20% | 12th April 2012 |
| Assignment 2 Individual |
Essay on set topic | 3000- 3500 words | 45% | 3rd May 2012 |
| Assignment 3 (Individual) | Program Evaluation or Case Study Report | 2,500 words | 35% | 7th June 2012 |
Essay must be submitted electronically by 5pm on the date due as follows:
Assignment 1 Field Trip Evaluation must be submitted to Barbara Almond by 5pm on the date due. (Barbara.Almond-1@uts.edu.au)
Assignment 2 Essays must be submitted electronically to Simone Gabowski by 5pm on the date due. (Simone.Gabowski@uts.edu.au)
Assignment 3 Program Evaluation or Case Study Report to Barbara Almond by 5 pm on the date due. (Barbara.Almond-1@uts.edu.au)
.
Written assignment 3 must be submitted electronically by 5pm on the date due.
All assignments must include the cover sheet. You can download an Assignment Cover Sheet from the Science website.
Referencing must follow conventional guidelines as outlined in the GSE Writing Guide.
As well ASSIGNMENTS must be submitted through the University's ANTI-PLAGIARISM DETECTION SOFTWARE, 'TURNITIN'.
Your assessment task will be automatically compared to work of your classmates, previous students from Macquarie and other universities, with material available on the Internet, both freely available and subscription-based electronic journals.
The results of the analysis will be sent only to your lecturer, who will analyse the results in reference to the University's standard Policy on Plagiarism
Late Submissions
Assignments that are handed in late without and extension will not be marked.
Assignments that are handed in late with an extension will lose 10% of marks per day.
Assignment 1
Assignment 1: Field Trip Manual
Length: Completed Manual
Value: 20%
Due: 13th April
Attend the Field Trip on the 30th March prepare and submit manual 13th April
Assignment 2: Essay (Individual)
Length: 3,000 - 3,500 words
Value: 45%
Due: 3rd May
This assignment provides you with an opportunity to examine interpret and evaluate the literature dealing with underlying issues and principles associated with the concept of sustainability as it applies to ecotourism.
You are required to write an essay of 3,000 - 3500 words on your selected topic. Students must reference a minimum of 10 refereed journal articles and 5 books.
Three recommended readings for each essay topic will be emailed to students after the first class of the semester. These readings must be used in your essay.
Each topic essentially represents a debatable proposition. The essay should contain a balanced argument, considering the arguments both for and against the proposition. The student must demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate the evidence contained in the literature and arrive at a conclusion about the validity of the proposition.
NOTE: That citations and quotes should be carefully attended too as you will be marked down heavily for not correctly citing or referencing reading. Please see the GSE guide to writing.
Your task: To choose one of the following essay topics.
Essay 1: Sustainable Tourism is it a pious hope for change in the tourism industry or is it providing mechanisms for change? Discuss using a specific case study such as sex tourism, adventure tourism, protected areas, mass tourism etc as an example
Essay 2: Introducing alternative tourism industries into regional and rural areas is a means of sustaining local economies as well as the quality of life of the area’s inhabitants. Discuss using case studies from Western and / or developing countries
Essay 3: Is Eco-labelling of real value to ecotour operators or ecotourists? Discuss why and why not and include examples.
Essay 4: The tourist often ventures out to see 'difference' and 'otherness' positioning the host culture as 'exotic' (often inferior and subjected to the voyeuristic gaze of the tourist in a way that reinforces the dominant values of the tourist). Discuss how destination communities might find mechanism to change this in particular host communities in developing countries.
Essay 5: Write a question of your choice related to the Subject area. This will need approval from your Lecturer at least 3 weeks prior to the due date and must be an original topic area.
Criteria for Assessment
- Your ability to present a balanced argument (the essay should consider the arguments both for an against the proposition or question)
- Critical analysis (Your ability to critically analyse the evidence contained in the literature)
- Ability to provide analysis from a variety of sources
- Grammar, spelling, referencing
- Drawing of conclusions (Your ability to arrive at conclusions about the validity of the proposition or question)
- Implications of the issues raised for ecotourism management
Assignment 3: Project Proposal / Program Evaluation / Case Study Report
Assignment 3: Program Evaluation / Case Study Report (individual)
Length: 2,500 words
Value: 35%
Due: Date needed Monday 7 June, 5pm
This assignment aims to develop your knowledge of a particular Ecotourism program/product and to reflect your ability to consider the contribution or potential of the program/product to sustainable development. This project should be an interest area (home country if you wish) and should be an evaluation of an existing operator, a marketing plan for a ecotourism product, or a case study of an area/destination that is developing ecotourism of for the more academically orientated a literature critic of a concept of theory.
Your Task:
In this assignment you are required to present a detailed report. This report should be divided into three parts:
- Part 1 will provide a brief description of program evaluation / case study: its location, operation and key elements
- Part 2 the chosen review technique or criteria (most should use a exisiting set of criteria) + a review of relevant literature to identify key questions that will be used to assess the current and potential contribution of your chosen program / case study to sustainable development
- Part 3 should provide a critical assessment of the value and effectiveness of the program to make a contribution to sustainable development.
Criteria for Assessment:
- Evidence of wide and critical reading.
- ability to identify key issues from the literature relating to sustainable development and ecotourism (part 2)
- ability to reflect on the processes involved in the program/product you have selected and how these relate to the principles of sustainable development (part 1 & 2)
- ability to use the key issues identified in part 2. to assess the value of the chosen program/product to sustainable development (part 3)
- Ability to use evidence and examples to support arguments.
- Evidence of critical and reflective thinking.
- Evidence of original and creative thought.
- Correct citation and adequate acknowledgement of sources.
- Clarity of expression and ability to structure assignment.
How do I Request an Extension?
Everyone is required to complete and submit assessment work by the due date. Extensions will only be granted prior to the due date and with teh support of adequate documention such as a medical certificate, or automatic penalties will apply. Extensions will only be granted in writing at the discretion of the unit convenor.
Examination Conditions
None.
Requirements to Complete this Unit Satisfactorily
Students are required to complete all three assignments at a satisfactory postgraduate level of achievement to pass the course.
Required and Recommended Texts/Materials
Recommended Text
Wearing S. L. and Neil, J. 2nd Edition (2009) Ecotourism: impacts, potential and possibilities. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford.
Some readings will be made available to students a week prior to the session in which they are discussed in class.
Understanding Sustainable Development
IUCN, UNEP, WWF (1991) Caring for the Earth: Enabling Communities to Care for their Own Environment IUCN, Gland [GF41 .C36/1991]
United Nations. (2002). Report of the World Summit for Sustainable Development. Retrieved September, 2002.
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1993) The Earth Summit: the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) London; Graham & Trotman. [HC79.E5 .U445/1993]
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1993) Agenda 21: Programme of Action for Sustainable Development: Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (UNCED) New York; Untied Nations [HC79.E5 .U444/1992]
World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) Our Common Future; OUP - The Bruntland Report [HD75.6 .O97/1987]
Understanding Ecotourism for Sustainable Development
Boo, E. (1990) Ecotourism: the potentials and pitfalls (2 volumes) Washington DC: World Wildlife Fund. [G156.5.E26 .B66]
Ceballos-Lascurin, H. (1996) Tourism, ecotourism, and protected areas: the state of nature-based tourism around the world and guidelines for its development Gland; Cambridge: IUCN. [G154.9 .C43/1996]
Donohoe, H. M., & Needham, R. D. (2006). Ecotourism: The evolving contemporary definition. Journal of Ecotourism, 5(3), 192-210.
Epler Wood, M (2002) Ecotourism; principles, practices & policies for sustainability
United Nations Environment Program, Paris http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/ecotourism.htm
Fennell, D. (1999) Ecotourism: An Introduction London: Routledge [155.A1 .F372/1999].
Fennell, D. A. (2001). A content analysis of ecotourism definitions. Current Issues in Tourism, 4(5), 403-421.
Fennell, D. and Wearer, D (2005) The Ecotourism Concept and Tourism-Conservation Symbiosis, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, (13) 4, pp. 373-390
Honey, M. (1999) Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who owns paradise? Washington, D.C: Island Press. [G156.5.E26 .H66/1999].
Lindberg, K. Epler Wood, M. and Engeldrum, D. (eds) (1998) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers North Bennington, Vermont : The Ecotourism Society. [156.5.E26 .E363]
Mendelsohn, R. (1994) The role of ecotourism in sustainable development. Meffe, G. and Caroll, C. Principles of Conservation Biology. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates. [QH75 .M386/1997]
Michael Lück, M. and Kirstges, T. (2003) Global Ecotourism Policies and Case Studies: Perspectives and Case Studies Channel View Publications
McLaren, D. (2000). Rethinking Tourism and Ecotravel: The Paving of Paradise and What You Can Do to Stop It. Bloomfield, Conn. : Kumarian Press [G156.5.E26 .M46 2003].
Newsome, D., Moore, S & Dowling, R. (2002) Natural Area Tourism: ecology, impacts and management Channel View Publ. UK
Patterson, C. (2002). The Business of Ecotourism: The Complete Guide for Nature and Culture-Based Tourism Operations, Rhinelander, Wis.: Explorer's Guide Publishing Second Edition [G156.5.E26 .P37/1997].
UNEP (2002) The World Ecotourism Summit resources.
UNEP Tourism publications [many are downloadable in PDF)
UNEP Industry and Environment (2000) Environmental Codes of Conduct for Tourism, Paris: UN Publications. [G155.A1 .U55].
Wearing, S. and Wearing, M. (1999) Decommodifying Ecotourism: Rethinking Global-Local Interactions with Host Communities, Loisir et Société, (22)1, Printemps pp. 39-70
Wearing, S and Neil, J. (2009) Ecotourism: Impacts, potentials and possibilities Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann. [G156.5.E26 .W4/1999].
Weaver,D.B. & Lawton, L. (1999) Sustainable Tourism: a critical review Research Report 1. CRC Sustainable Tourism
Weaver, D.B (2008) Ecoutourism 2nd edition Milton Qld: Wiley and Sons [G155.A1 .W43]
Wight, P. A. (2003). Supporting the principles of sustainable development in tourism and ecotourism: Government's potential role. In M. Lück & T. Kirstges (Eds.), Global ecotourism policies and case studies: perspectives and constraints (pp. 50-72). Clevedon, UK: Channel View Publications.
Policy, Planning and Visitor Management
Bramwell, B. (2005). Interventions and policy instruments for sustainable tourism. In W. F. Theobald (Ed.), Global Tourism (3rd ed., pp. 406-425). New York: Elsevier.
Bushell,R. and Griffin.T (2007 ) Monitoring Visitor Experiences in Protected Areas. PARKS Special Edition 25 - 33
http://www.iucn.org/themes/wcpa/pubs/pdfs/PARKS/parks_16_2.pdf
Christ, C. Hillel, O. Matus, S. and Sweeting, J. (2003) Tourism and Biodiversity: Mapping Tourism's Global Footprint, Washington DC: UNEP Conservation International.
http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/home.htm
http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/policy/principles.htm
Commonwealth Department of Tourism (1994) National Ecotourism Strategy, Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. [G155.A8 .A777/1994]
Fennell, D. A., & Dowling, R. K. (Eds.). (2003). Ecotourism policy and planning. Oxford, UK: CAB International.
IUCN and WCPA (2003) Outputs of The Congress - The IUCN WCPA World Parks Congress: Tourism Components, World Conservation Union and World Commission on Protected Areas. Available at: http://www.iucn.org/themes/wcpa/wpc2003/english/outputs/tourism.htm#intro [Accessed 12th March 2004].
World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) (2001) 'Agenda 21 for the travel and tourist industry towards environmentally sustainable development' http://www.wttc.org/agenda21.htm
World Wildlife Fund for Nature (1991) A Guide to Designing Effective Proposals Washington DC: WWF US
Communities and Ecotourism
Special edition of Current Issues in Tourism (2002) (Global Ecotourism Policies and Case Studies: Perspectives and Constraints) volume 5, issue 3.
Brown, F. and Hall, D. (2007) Welfare, Ethics and Tourism CABI, Walingford.
Butcher, J. (2007). Ecotourism, NGO's and development: A critical analysis. London: Routledge.
Christ, C., (1998) Taking Ecotourism to the Next Level, A Look at Private Sector Involvement with Local Communities, In K. Lindberg, M., E. Wood and D. Engeldrum (eds) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers', Vermont: N. Bennington: The Ecotourism Society, 2 [G156.5.E26 .E363]
Drumm, A. (1998) 'New Approaches to Community-based Ecotourism Management: Learning from Ecuador In Lindberg, K. Epler Wood, M. and Engeldrum, D. (eds) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers', Vermont: N. Bennington: The Ecotourism Society, 2 [G156.5.E26 .E363]
Horwich R. Murray, D. Saqui, E. Lyon, J. and Godfrey, D. (1993) 'Ecotourism and Community development: a view from Belize' in Lindberg K., Epler Wood, M. E. and Engeldrum D. (eds) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers', Vermont: N. Bennington: The Ecotourism Society. Vol.2 [G156.5.E26 .E363]
Richards, G. and Hall, D. (2000) Tourism and Sustainable Community Development, London, Routledge, 2000. [G155.A1 .T58937]
Sofield, T. H. B. (2003). Empowerment for sustainable tourism development. Amsterdam: Pergamon.
The Nature Conservancy Ecotourism resources available at http://www.nature.org/aboutus/travel/ecotourism/
Wearing, S. (2004) Examining Best Practice in Volunteer Tourism, in Volunteering as Leisure/Leisure as Volunteering An international Assessment, (eds) Stebbins, R. and Graham, M. CABI Oxfordshire pp. 209-224
Wearing, S. Duim, R. and Hummel, J. (undated) Parters in Nepal: between paradise and plight. (unpublished)
Wearing, S. and Larsen, L. (1996) Assessing and managing the sociocultural impacts of ecotourism:revisting the Senta Elena rainforest project. The Environmentalist 16:117 - 133.
Wearing, S. and McDonald, M. (2002) The development of community-based tourism: rethinking the relationship between intermediaries and rural and isolated area communities. J. Sustainable Tourism 10(2) p. 31 - 45.
Conservation and Protected Areas
Bushell, R. & Eagles, P.A (Eds) (2007) Benefits Beyond Boundaries: Tourism & Protected Areas The Vth World Parks Congress, 2003 CABI Press.
Bushell, R. (2005) "Protected Areas and Tourism". In, J.A. McNeely (ed) Friends for Life: New Partnerships in Support of Protected Areas. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. pp141 -154.
Bushell, R. (2003) "Balancing Conservation and Visitation". In , R. Buckley, C. Pickering and D. Weaver Nature-based Tourism, Environment and Land Management CABI Press, Walingford. pp 197 - 208.
Eagles, P. McCool, S. and Haynes, C (2002) Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas: Guidelines for Planning and Management ICUN Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. UNEP & WTO xv +183pp http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/sust_prot_areas.htm
Figgis, P. 1999. Australia's National Parks and Protected Areas: Future Directions. IUCN Occasional Paper Number 8, Australian Committee for IUCN Inc, Sydney.
Foxlee, J. (2007) Key Principles and Directions for Tourism in Protected Areas In Bushell & Eagles Benefits Beyond Boundaries: Tourism & Protected Areas The Vth World Parks Congress, 2003 CABI Press.
Lamoureux K.M. (2002) The relationship of tourism development to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use energy and water resources: A stakeholder framework Theme A Ecotourism policies and planning. http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/wes_portfolio/statmnts/stmthm.htm
Lindkvist L. (2002) Tourism and conservation in protected and/or fragile ecosystems - A sustainable business opportunity? Statement to the World Ecotourism Summit, Quebec, Canada (19 - 22 May 2002) Theme A policy and Planning: the sustainable challenge Kenya http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/wes_portfolio/statmnts/stmthm.htm
Nash, J. (2004) Eco-tourism: Encouraging Conservation or Adding to Exploitation? Population Reference Bureau http://www.prb.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Other_articles/April-June_20011/Eco-Tourism__Encouraging_Conservation_or_Adding_to_Exploitation_.htm
Preece, N and van Oosterzee, P. (2000) Two Way Track: Biodiversity Conservation and Ecotourism: an investigation of linkages, mutual benefits and future opportunities Biodiversity Series, Paper No. 5 Biodiversity Canberra: Department of Environment, Sport and Territories. [G155.A8 .P74]
Woodley, S. (1993) 'Tourism and Sustainable Development in Parks and Protected Areas' In Nelson, J., Butler, R. and Wall, G. (eds) Tourism and Sustainable Development: Monitoring, Planning and Management Waterloo: University of Waterloo pp.83-96. [G155.A1 .T5894/1999]
Worboys, G., Lockwood, M., & De Lacy, T. (2005). Protected area management: Principles and practice (2nd ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Evaluation / Accreditation
CESD Mohonk Agreement of Ecotourism Accreditation. Available at: http://www.ecotourismcesd.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=39
Chester, G. & Crabtree, A., 2002, 'Australia: The Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program', in Ecotourism & Certification: Setting Standards in Practice, Edited by Honey, M., Island Press, pp.161-185
Crabtree, A., Hundloe, T., Lee, T., Chester, G. (2002) Green Globe 21 International Ecotourism Standard for Ecotourism Products, Version 1.1 International Ecotourism Conference Cairns October 2002, Ecotourism Australia and CRC for Sustainable Tourism, Green Globe Asia Pacific http://www.ggasiapacific.com.au/news/docs/IES.pdf
Desailly,M. Bushell,R. Simmons,B. Scott, J. Baillie, B. & Sinha, C. (2004) Environmentally and Socially Responsible Practices in the Camping and Caravan Industry: a case study from Australia Tourism & Recreation Research 29(3): 39 - 50.
Font, X., & Wood, M. E. (2007). Sustainable tourism certification marketing and its contribution to SME market access. In R. Black & A. Crabtree (Eds.), Quality assurance and certification in ecotourism (pp. 147-163). Wallingford: CABI.
Honey, M. (2002) Ecotourism and Certification Island Press, Washington
Honey, M. (2007). The role of certification and accreditation in ensuring tourism contributes to conservation. Wallingford UK: CAB International.
Medina., L.K. (2005) Ecotourism and Certification: Confronting the Principles and Pragmatics of Socially Responsible Tourism, Journal of Sustainable Tourism (13) 3, pp 281-295
Wearing, S., Cynn, S., Ponting, J., & McDonald, M. (2002). Converting environmental concern into ecotourism purchases: A qualitative evaluation of international backpackers in Australia. Journal of Ecotourism, 1(2-3), 133-148.
World Tourism Organisation (2003) WTO Asia-Pacific Conference On Sustainability Certification Of Tourism Activities: Final Report, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 11-13 December 2003 Available at: www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/doc/cert-malaysia/finalrep.htm [Accessed 15th March 2004].
Useful Websites
- Aboriginal Tourism Australia
- Commission for Sustainable Development/
- Conservation International
- ECONETT - European Commission & World Travel and Tourism Council
- ECOTOURISM EXPLORER
- Ecotourism [Association of] Australia
- Ecotourism in Latin America - Planeta.com
- E-Review of Tourism Research
- Global Development Centre - Ecotourism
- Green Globe
- Green Tourism Association - Canada
- International Centre for ecotourism Research
- IISD Linkages for Sustainable Development
- Pro Poor Tourism
- The Ecotourism Resource Centre - Big Volcano
- The International Ecotourism Society
- The International Union for the Conservation of Nature
- The Nature Conservancy...
- TOURISM CONCERN
- Tourism Research Australia
- United Nations Environment Program - Tourism
- UNEP - World Ecotourism Summit - Portfolio of Statements and Presentations
- UN-World Tourism Organisation
- World Bank: Explore Sustainable Development and Ecotourism
- World Travel & Tourism Council
- World Wide Fund for Nature
Academic Honesty
The nature of scholarly endeavour, dependent as it is on the work of others, binds all members of the University community to abide by the principles of academic honesty. Academic honesty is an integral part of the core values and principles contained in the Macquarie University Ethics Statement. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:
- all academic work claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim
- all academic collaborations are acknowledged
- academic work is not falsified in any way
- when the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledged appropriately.
All academic and professional staff involved in learning, teaching and research are expected to display leadership in this area.
One of the University's objectives is to produce ethically and socially aware graduates, capable of applying the skills and knowledge they have developed at University to all aspects of their lives, as well as to their academic work. Academic dishonesty undermines the integrity of the University's academic awards and assessment processes, and damages the University's reputation. It also reduces the effectiveness of a student's time at the University.
All students should familiarise themselves with Macquarie University's Academic Honesty Policy.
The GSE recommends that students familiarise themselves with the information contained on the Georgetown University Honor Council website which discusses plagiarism in an easy to understand and comprehensive manner.
All assignments will be screened with "Turnitin" anti-plagiarism software
University Policy on Assessment
Please visit Policy Central for an explanation of the University’s policy on assessment.
The rights and responsibilities of students with regard to assessment are outlined in the University’s assessment code of practice.
Grading System
An explanation of the the university's grading policy and grading system is available at Policy Central
Special Consideration Policy
The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of its learning and teaching. In stating this commitment, the University recognises that there may be circumstances where a student is prevented by unavoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability.
The Special Consideration Policy is instituted to support students who experience serious and unavoidable disruption such that they do not reach their usual demonstrated performance level.
Student Support Services
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. The Study Skills Support Unit in the Dean of Students Office aims to offer academic support as well as a range of literacy study skills to assist students in acquiring a successful learning experience in MQ.
Current services include Study Skills Workshops and Individual Consultations. Students will also find a collection of useful Online Resources relating to different aspects of learning enhancement as well as other interesting topics on Study Skills Development on the Dean of Students website. The University is also offering free Academic Writing Programs for students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
For International Students at MQ, there is a resource library that could assist with developing the skills and confidence to achieve a smooth and successful adjustment.
Whether you're a student or staff member, Campus Experience exists to provide you with a convenient, engaging, healthy and supportive environment during your time at Macquarie University.
Advice for Students with Disabilities/Health Conditions
The Disability Support Unit is one of the services provided by Campus Wellbeing. Staff from the Disability Support Unit work with students who have a permanent or temporary disability and/or health condition to get the services they need to have an equal opportunity to flourish at Macquarie University. Students can contact or register with the Disability Support Unit at any time before or during their studies at Macquarie. Contact the Disability Support Unit to learn more about the services that may be available to you to enable you to flourish in your studies.