SITTPPD603
Develop culturally appropriate tourism operations

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan strategically for culturally appropriate business operations. It requires the ability to establish and operate a culturally appropriate tourism operation and to monitor its impact on local communities.

Application

This unit applies to all industry sectors, and to individuals with managerial responsibilities who have strategic planning and product development roles. Planning may be for a whole region or local area or for a particular venue, organisation, event or product. The unit is particularly relevant to those organisations whose products involve substantial cultural content, the inclusion of visits to culturally sensitive sites, or a high level of interaction between people of different cultures.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Plan for culturally appropriate tourism operations.

1.1 Identify cultural issues for consideration at the commencement of the planning process.

1.2 Consult individuals and communities about potential cultural issues and incorporate their views into the planning process.

1.3 Analyse economic and social community impacts and develop responses that provide social and economic returns to the community.

1.4 Proactively seek opportunities for new, innovative and more sustainable approaches.

1.5 Develop strategies that balance cultural appropriateness and economic viability.

2. Implement culturally appropriate tourism operations.

2.1 Develop codes of practice and procedures that show respect for cultural values, avoid cultural stereotyping and take account of intellectual property issues.

2.2 Conduct operations according to codes of practice and encourage participation from host communities.

2.3 Educate colleagues about other cultures and societies during the development process.

2.4 Promote the need for culturally appropriate behaviour throughout the organisation and with customers.

3. Evaluate operations.

3.1 Monitor and assess operations to ensure culturally appropriate practices are maintained.

3.2 Conduct regular consultation with stakeholders to obtain feedback.

3.3 Deal with operational issues and consider changes to continuously improve organisational practices.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to consult with diverse stakeholders on potentially divisive and nuanced issues

critical thinking skills to evaluate complex issues and information and develop strategic responses

literacy skills to:

interpret material dealing with complex cultural and organisational information

develop plans, systems and procedures for tourism operations

numeracy skills to perform complex calculations to assess profitability considerations

planning and organising skills to coordinate interrelated planning and operational processes

problem-solving skills to respond to complex internal and external management challenges.

Required knowledge

current research trends in the area of cultural tourism

social, cultural and economic impact of tourism at a community wide level, including those for a specific community

consultation and communication mechanisms used by organisations in the product development process, including:

features

nature

objectives and outcomes

scope

time parameters

copyright and intellectual property issues associated with delivering information about local cultural issues, including those specific to Indigenous communities

strategic frameworks and initiatives used by organisations to foster culturally appropriate behaviour during product development and product delivery, including:

educational options

for internal and external stakeholders

procedural initiatives

promotional opportunities

ways of managing and minimising negative impacts and maximising positive impacts on the local culture, both economic and social

ways of balancing cultural sustainability and the economic viability of an operation.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

develop and implement a plan for a tourism, hospitality or event operation that supports cultural sustainability and provide evidence of:

analysis of key cultural issues

consultation with key stakeholders

development of strategies and operational approaches that maximise positive impacts

integration of best practice approaches

demonstrate knowledge of current and emerging cultural tourism issues and trends.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure use of:

a destination, location, organisation or event for which a culturally sustainable operation can be established

current information about practices that support cultural sustainability

stakeholders with whom consultations can take place

current information and communications technology to support the research and planning process.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

evaluation of a completed plan, including analysis of all evaluations that have been conducted

evaluation of codes of practice developed by the individual

use of case studies to assess ability to:

evaluate and respond to different commercial and environmental challenges

make suggestions for improving the environmental sustainability of existing tourism operations

written or oral questioning to assess knowledge of social, cultural and economic impacts of tourism, current industry trends and codes of practice

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the individual.

Guidance information for assessment

The assessor should design integrated assessment activities to holistically assess this unit with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:

SITTPPD601 Develop tourism products

SITTPPD602 Develop environmentally sustainable tourism operations

SITXFIN501 Prepare and monitor budgets.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Cultural issues may include:

access restrictions

cultural differences in styles of negotiation and communication

culturally appropriate activities

traditional and contemporary values and customs

use of appropriate staff

use of cultural information.

Community impacts may be:

negative:

damage to culturally sensitive areas or sites

effect on social structures

trivialisation of culture

positive:

cultural benefits

economic benefits to local community

employment opportunities

greater understanding between host and visitor cultures

improved local facilities

visitor education.

Codes of practice and procedures may relate to:

consultation and communication protocols

evaluation mechanisms

guidance materials for:

appropriate staff and customer behaviour in given situations

language skill requirements

negotiating contracts in crosscultural situations

use of culturally sensitive information

staff selection:

involving appropriate people in both product development and delivery

appropriate staff for different situations.


Sectors

Tourism


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.