There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

This module is designed to enable you to understand the challenges associated with developing and managing natural area tourism and how these might be effectively tackled. It commences by exploring and critiquing the anthropocentric and ecocentric perspectives which underpin human stances in relation to tourism and the natural environment. Concepts like sustainable and regenerative tourism, the SDGs and ESG will be covered. The course also identifies the environmental impacts associated with tourism in natural areas. Adopting a global perspective, natural area tourism (NAT) is approached from a policy and visitor management perspective, and evaluated for its potential role and viability as a means of economic development. The module seeks to identify and critically examine the process of developing and managing tourism in natural areas across its full scope (i.e. adventure; nature based; wildlife and geotourism) with a particular emphasis upon the specific sustainability issues associated with each.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the scope, role and potential of natural area tourism and the wider topic of sustainability.

LO2: Critique the key issues surrounding the development of specific natural area tourism projects.

LO3: Critically appraise the sources of environmental impacts from tourism activities in a range of different ecosystems.

LO4: Evidence a sound understanding of the theory and practice associated with visitor planning and stakeholder management.

LO5: Critique the range of management strategies and actions which might be adopted in relation to natural area tourism generally and to specific types of natural area tourism.