Module Details

Module Code: TOUR7001
Title: Tourism and the Environment
Long Title: Tourism and the Environment
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 8120 - Tourism
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module examines the concept of sustainability in the context of the tourism industry at an international, national and local level. Focus is also on the management tools appropriate for sustainable tourism development with a particular emphasis on policy in relation to the environment and climate change.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Examine the principles of sustainability within the context of the tourism industry and develop critical awareness of the issues and challenges facing the tourism industry.
LO2 Evaluate the major threats facing the natural environment and the subsequent impacts these threats have on the tourism industry in particular climate change, water shortages, biodiversity etc. and the impact that tourism is having in contributing to these issues.
LO3 Identify and assess practical methods and strategies for environmental sustainability in a national and international context.
LO4 Evaluate the importance of environmental planning and Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in tourism businesses and examine the process involved in implementing an EMS in a tourism business.
LO5 Evaluate the different Eco-certification programs that exist on both a global and national level and examine their marketing importance as a tool for their tourism business.
LO6 Assess International Environmental policies in tourism and the difficulties and limitations associated with sustainable tourism development as well as focusing on the positive impacts of environmental management in tourism.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Principles of Sustainable Tourism Development
Concepts of Sustainable tourism and development. The relationship between the environment and tourism and the subsequent development of sustainable tourism. Factors that promote and hinder sustainable tourism. The importance of sustainable tourism in an environmental, economic and socio-cultural context. Environmental threats and issues affecting the natural environment in particular climate change, biodiversity and water shortages on both a national and international level.
Application and Models of Sustainability in International Tourism
Problems associated with implementing strategies of sustainable tourism. Issues with selecting, measuring, monitoring and evaluating sustainable tourism indicators. Models of sustainable tourism including Jafari's 'Platform' Model; UNWTO Indicators of Sustainable Tourism; DIT's ACHEIV Model and alternative tourism typologies
Climate Change
Understanding the concept of Climate change and its significance. Impact of Climate change on the tourism industry on both a global and national level. Tourism as a contributor to the problem of climate change. Mitigating the affects of Climate change.
International Environmental Management
Environmental Legislation and measures taken by governments to protect the environment - International - 1992 Earth Summit 1997 Kyoto Protocol 2002 Joahannesburg 2009 Copenhagen etc, European - 1997 Amsterdam Treaty etc and National Legislation - Agenda 21, 2000 National Climate Change Strategy etc. The challenge of Climate change on a global scale - future developments. The EU-ETS - Emmissions Trading Scheme and its implications for Ireland
Sustainable Tourism Planning and Sustainability
Sustainable tourism planning and governments responsibilities - models of tourism planning, the role of various government agencies EPA, SEAI and Failte Ireland's Environmental Plan for Sustainable tourism development. The benefits of an Environmental Management System (EMS ) in a tourism business. The five stages in the process of developing an EMS and the development of an Environment Plan for a tourism business.
Strategies for Environmental Sustainability in Ireland
Strategies for sustainable tourism development in Ireland including waste and water management. Environmental Awards and Eco-labelling -The Global Tourism Sustainable Criteria (STEP award), the EU flower, the Green Hospitality Award, Eco tourism Award, Blue Flag etc. Renewable Energy Usage in Ireland and in the future - solar, wind, hydro & wave, geothermal and biomass. .
Biodiversity and Tourism
The concept of biodiversity, risks to biodiversity with particular reference to Ireland's biodiversity. The impact tourism has on biodiversity. Actions the tourism industry needs to take to protect biodiversity.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework30.00%
End of Module Formal Examination70.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6
Assessment Description
Environmental issues and sustainable development in a tourism destination
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 70
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact In-class lecture Every Week 4.00 4
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent Study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact In Class Lecture Every Week 4.00 4
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent Study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Helen Kopina and John Blewitt. (2015), Sustainable Business: Key issues, Routledge, [ISBN: 9780415739528].
  • Andrew Holden. (2008), Environment and tourism, Routledge, London, [ISBN: 0-415-39955-6].
  • IUCN. (2008), Biodiversity: My hotel in action A guide to sustainable use of biological resources, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, in collaboration with Accor, [ISBN: 978-2-8317-10].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Mowforth, Martin. and Munt, Ian. (2016), Tourism and Sustainablility - Development, globalisation and new tourism in the Third World, 4th. Routledge, [ISBN: 9781138013261].
  • Daniel Scott, C. Michael Hall and Stefan Gossling.. (2012), Tourism and climate change, 1st. New York; Routledge, [ISBN: 9780415668859].
  • David A. Fennell.. (2014), Ecotourism, 4th. New York; Routledge, [ISBN: 9780415829656].
  • Michael Hall and Stephen Page. (2014), The Geography of Tourism and Recreation, Environment, Place and Space, 4th. Routledge, New York, [ISBN: 9780415833981].
  • Harriet Bulkeley. (2013), Cities and Climate Change, Routledge, p.208, [ISBN: 9780415597050].
  • Stephen Wearing, John Neil,. (2009), Ecotourism, Second Edition, 2nd. Butterworth-Heinemann, [ISBN: 978-075066249-9].
  • World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2012), Tourism in the Green Economy, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), [ISBN: 978-92-844-14].
  • Harold Goodwin. (2011), Taking Responsibility for Tourism, Good Fellows Publications, [ISBN: 97819068846].
  • Dr. Janne Liburn and Dr, Deborah Edwards. (2013), Understanding the sustainable development of Tourism, Good Fellows, [ISBN: 9781908999405].
  • DrBeckendorff and Dr. Dagmar Lund-Durlacker. (2013), International Cases in Sustainable Travel and Tourism, GoodFellows, [ISBN: 9781908999399].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • ITIC. (2014), Protecting the Irish Environment and Landscape - a critical issue for Irish Tourism, August 2014.
  • EPA and Green Hospitality Ireland. (2012), Resource Efficiency in the hospitality Sector Case Studies.
  • Heritage Council and Inland Waterways edited by Kelly B., and Stack M.. (2009), Climate Change, Heritage and Tourism: Implications for Ireland's Coast and Inland Waterways, [ISSN: 1393-68 0].
  • Forfas. (2010), Adaptation to Climate Change: Issues for Business.
  • Failte Ireland. (2008), Review of Good Enviromental Policy and Practice in the Tourism Sector.
  • Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. (2007), National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012.
  • Journal of Sustainable Tourism.
  • Journal of Tourism Management.
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Failte Ireland. (2007), Ecotourism handbook for Ireland.
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_FTRSM_8 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Tourism Management 5 Mandatory
CR_FTOUR_7 Bachelor of Business in Tourism Management 5 Mandatory