Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to organise and operate tourism activities with minimal negative environmental and social impact. The emphasis of this unit is on short-term operational action planning and implementation, and does not include a strategic management focus.
The unit applies to the tour operations, cruise, attractions, and holiday parks and resort sectors, and to those working in senior operational or supervisory roles. This could include senior guides or activities coordinators, or owner-operators of small tourism organisations.
The unit is particularly relevant to those who provide tourism experiences in environmentally sensitive areas, including nature or ecotourism-based experiences.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Organise sustainable activities. | 1.1.Develop experiences that combine education and interpretation. 1.2.Ensure positive sustainable outcomes for local communities and environments. 1.3.Consult with colleagues and other stakeholders about issues of responsibility for environmental and social sustainability. 1.4.Develop techniques and procedures for tourism activities according to relevant codes of practice. |
2. Conduct activities with minimal impact. | 2.1.Select and use minimal impact techniques and procedures for tourism activities appropriate to the area. 2.2.Advise customers about minimal impact responsibilities and acceptable behaviour prior to entering area. 2.3.Serve as a role model for customers and colleagues. 2.4.Address unacceptable customer behaviour. |
3. Monitor impact and changes. | 3.1.Monitor and record changes in the natural environment using appropriate technology. 3.2.Collect environmental information on behalf of environmental and social agencies as required. 3.3.Advise appropriate authorities of environmental and social change promptly. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
organise and operate tourism activities with minimal negative environmental and social impact in at least two different environments, one of which must be in an environmentally sensitive area
develop and use minimal impact procedures for activities in above tourism and operating environments that:
reflect global environmental issues
relate to at least two of the following:
educating customers
restricting or limiting access
site hardening
staged authenticity
technological solutions.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
global environmental issues, in particular a layperson understanding of the science associated with:
climate change
consumption of energy, waste and water and pollution
waste minimisation practices
land management and access
environmental and social impacts of tourism in relation to global environmental issues, in particular impacts on sites and communities
issues of responsibility for environmental and social sustainability:
negative environmental impacts:
disturbance of flora and fauna
introduction of exotic and feral species
physical damage
pollution
visual impacts
negative social impacts:
trivialisation of culture
positive environmental impacts:
visitor education
improvement of sites already impacted
opportunities for conservation and protection
positive social impacts:
economic benefits to local community
employment
greater understanding between host and visitor cultures
improved local facilities
visitor education
practical sustainability considerations for tourism operations:
environmentally or culturally sensitive areas and associated minimal impact practices
handling and disposal of waste and human waste
industry codes of practice
use of water sources
laws, regulations and land management requirements and guidelines:
need for permits in national parks or on land under control of traditional owners
restrictions on camp site operations and use of open fires
minimal impact techniques and procedures in relation to:
activity-specific guidelines
energy use
group size
interaction with wildlife
local customs and courtesies
noise
setting of camps
souveniring
use of tracks
waste disposal
biophysical and socio-cultural elements in an environment and the relationship between them
changes in the natural environment requiring monitoring:
breeding events
changes to fauna
changes to flora
erosion
species sighting
information collection techniques for monitoring environmental and social impact:
what is observed and measured:
estimating percentage cover and water parameters
temperature
weather conditions
how specific data is recorded:
logbooks
photography
sighting forms.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in an operational tourism environment. This can be:
an industry workplace
a simulated industry environment set up for the purposes of assessment.
Assessment must ensure access to:
an environmentally sensitive location in which activities can be conducted
real or simulated tourism activities
current information about environmental practices:
legislation
guidelines
industry codes of practice.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors; and:
have worked in industry for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge of this unit of competency.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
SKILLS | DESCRIPTION |
Reading skills to: | interpret sometimes complex materials describing environmental regulatory requirements and guidelines. |
Writing skills to: | document procedures for sustainable tourism activities advise authorities of environmental and social change. |
Numeracy skills to: | make simple calculations and take simple measurements. |
Problem-solving skills to: | identify and respond to situations where minimal impact procedures will be breached. |
Initiative and enterprise skills to: | evaluate potential environmental and social impacts and make appropriate responses in organising activities. |
Technology skills to: | use current technology to observe and measure specific changes in environmental and social data relating to the natural environment. |
Sectors
Tourism
Competency Field
Planning and Product Development