Diploma: Ecotourism Management

Purpose

Tourism, and more specifically ecotourism, is a powerful means of promoting local economic development and job creation in various parts of South and Southern Africa.

The learner who has achieved this qualification will be able to integrate ecotourism management and leadership knowledge with that of customer service and the operational specifics of a given ecotourism context.

Implementation of sustainable tourism reforms are urgently needed and the qualification serves to assist in this regard by defining and identifying those competencies required by technical tourism officials in the private and public sectors to enable them to implement meaningful change. The qualification advances South African priorities in respect of the environment, conservation and community upliftment in line with the aims of existing national and international agreements and recommendations. The qualification enhances transferability of skills within different spheres of natural area management for ecotourism purposes.

Qualifying learners will be prepared for the following careers in Eco-tourism

• Planners and Implementers in ecotourism division/s of Local, Provincial and National Government, Non-Government and Community-Based Organisations.
• Information Officers.
• Ecotourism Operators.
• Ecotourism Consultants.
• Ecodestination Curators.
• Ecodestination Conservation Officers.

Rationale

Travel industry experts say ecotourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry. Ecotourism is about preserving the natural environment and giving local people fair employment. Domestic tourism plays a special and important role in the South African tourism industry. The stock of natural resources of South Africa, how these resources are managed and to what extent they are complemented with man-made innovations, will determine the country's competitiveness in tourism.

While the tourism industry has tremendous potential to create jobs, it should be recognised that appropriate skills and experience are necessary to facilitate employment growth and international competitiveness. Tourism education and training are fundamental pillars of the development of a new responsible approach to tourism in South Africa.

A number of factors limit the effectiveness of the tourism industry in playing a more meaningful role in the national economy. The greatest deficiency in the tourism industry in South Africa is the absence of adequate education, training and awareness opportunities. One of the key vehicles for changing this situation is education and training - a basic necessity that the majority of the population has not had access to. This qualification aims to empower learners with passion and interest in tourism, thereby enabling them to contribute to growing and developing the sector.

It is assumed that the learner

• Is competent in the language of instruction.
• Has knowledge and understanding of tourism-related subjects such as Geography and History.
• Is computer literate.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Ecotourism students from other Higher Education institutions, as well as Ecotourism and Tourism practitioners who have substantial evidence of many years of appropriate service in the relevant field, will be given appropriate recognition for prior learning. The Vaal University of Technology's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy will guide this process.

This Recognition of Prior Learning may

• Grant access to the qualification for learners who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission.
• Grant learners credits or exemptions for subjects already passed, in-house or at other recognised institutions.
• Grant learners credits towards modules for skills, knowledge and experience acquired through informal and non-formal learning.

Access to the Qualification

Admission is open to learners who are in possession of a National Senior Certificate or a National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4, in which they have passed English, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy and Biology or Physical Science.

All the modules are compulsory.

Modules at NQF Level 5, totalling 120 Credits

• Tourism Development 1, 24 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Management 1, 24 Credits.
• Travel and Tourism Practice 1, 24 Credits.
• Marketing for Tourism 1, 24 Credits.
• Applied Communication Skills 1, 12 Credits.
• End User Computing, 12 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6, totalling 160 Credits

• Ecotourism Biology 1, 24 Credits.
• Ecotourism Development 2, 24 Credits.
• Ecotourism Marketing 2, 24 Credits.
• Ecotourism Management 2, 24 Credits.
• Ecotourism Practice 1, 24 Credits.
• Wildlife Management 1, 24 Credits.
• Applied Communication Skills 2, 16 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7, totalling 90 Credits

• Ecotourism Biology 2, 12 Credits.
• Ecotourism Development 3, 12 Credits.
• Ecotourism Management 3, 12 Credits.
• Ecotourism Practice 2, 12 Credits.
• Wildlife Management 2, 12 Credits.
• Co-operative Education, 30 Credits.

Total credits: 370.

1. Identify and apply communication skills in an ecotourism context, using a variety of communication methodologies.

• Range: Communication skills may include but are not limited to electronic communication, speaking, listening, presentation skills, business communication, problem solving and negotiation skills.

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of marketing as it pertains to tourism and the relationship between economic principles and marketing.

• Range: Marketing may include but is not limited to marketing information, market measurement, forecasting, and marketing mix.

1. Describe the complex interactions between organisms and the influence these have on the environment and the ecosystem.
2. Identify and explain the scope and practices of an ecotourism development project.

• Range: Scope and practices of ecotourism may include, but are not limited to: Tourism industry sectors, role players, demand differentiation, impact of tourism, ecotourism, and best practices.

1. Explain and assess the scope, features and environment related to ecotourism management.
2. Explain and apply quality professional services in travel and tourism practices.

• Range: Travel and tourism practices may include, but are not limited to: Travel agency operations, procedures, tour director duties and responsibilities, game guide activities.

1. Describe and assess the factors affecting a game reserve and the management of wildlife.

• Range: Management factors may include, but are not limited to: Overpopulation, water provision, overgrazing, erosion, bush encroachment, alien plant invasion, veld burning, animal characteristics, ecosystems, habitats, conservation and protection strategies, use of terminologies, issues of diverse ecosystems.

1. Complete a work integrated learning project according to academic and workplace requirements.

• Range: Work integrated learning may include, but is not limited to: Exposure to a typical organisational culture, human relations, working conditions, problem situations.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Interpret information about the tourism industry sectors and role players, demand differentiation and the impacts of tourism.
• Analyse the audience/readers of a message in terms of its intent.
• Explain the planning and purpose of visual and written communication material.
• Write and present material to reflect structure, coherence, understanding, intelligibility, subject exploration, interpretation, and graphic representation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Compare and contrast the six marketing management orientations.
• Define the terms of tourism and hospitality.
• Explain the features unique to tourism services and their implications.
• Explain the factors that influence the choices of distribution channels in various sectors of the South African tourism industry.
• Explain and apply the principles and techniques of marketing in different marketing contexts.
• Explain the marketing communications concept and issues of branding and promotion strategies in the tourism industry.
• Explain the concept of pricing within a global context.
• Investigate the concept of distribution from a product life cycle perspective.
• Use the marketing environmental variables to conduct a SWOT analysis for the tourism industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Explain and use botanical keys effectively.
• Identify and describe local food chains and webs.
• Describe South African biomes.
• Explain the inter-relationships between fauna and flora and their dependence on the ecosystem.
• Critically evaluate the uses of plants and plant products in ecotourism.
• Explain the processes affecting species distribution.
• Characterise simple animal behaviour.
• Describe the various conditions found on rocky and sandy shores, estuaries and terrestrial habitats.
• Describe and evaluate the threats to marine, estuary and terrestrial habitats.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Assess various interpretations of the concept of ecotourism.
• Describe and analyse events and declarations related to sustainable development of tourism.
• Evaluate the potential benefits, risks and planning processes for protected area ecotourism.
• Evaluate strategies for visitor management in ecotourism areas.
• Examine the processes for planning ecotourism with communities and developing viable community-based ecotourism projects.
• Examine examples of best practice within the ecotourism industry.
• Describe the role of various national and international organisations in promoting ecotourism development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply applicable managerial concepts to prepare a business plan and establish a tourism enterprise.
• Explain issues affecting entrepreneurs in an ecotourism business.

> Range: Issues may include, but are not limited to: Economic impetus, success factors, challenges, barriers, creativity, ideas, windows of opportunity.

• Explain ecotourism management practices for sustainability and economic growth.
• Analyse global strategies for tourism and hospitality services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Identify and describe tourist attractions.

> Range: Tourist attractions include those from South Africa, Africa, and the Middle East.

• Explain and apply travel agency operations and procedures.
• Demonstrate the ability to be a tour director within a given situation.
• Explain the concepts of guiding and different types of guides.
• Explain the qualities needed to be a proficient and qualified game guide.
• Carry out the practices of a proficient and qualified game guide within a given situation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Describe the factors impacting on a game reserve.
• Identify and explain the characteristics of the most commonly found animals in South African game reserves.
• Identify and explain various ecosystems and the functioning of habitats.
• Provide an overview of environmental conservation in modern times.
• Describe the establishment and management of protected areas in South Africa.
• Describe legislation relating to nature conservation in Southern Africa.
• Explain biodiversity as it affects ecotourism in South Africa.
• Explain the objectives, principles, and types of wildlife management.
• Explain and apply animal harvesting principles and practices.

> Range: Harvesting principles and practices may include, but are not limited to: Use of animal harvesting terms, effects of animal harvesting, animal harvesting strategies, animal harvesting methods, animal harvesting yields.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Complete all listed duties on a month to month basis.
• Develop and complete an assignment related to the operations of the organisation in which practical learning takes place.
• Draw up a report on the practical assignment using the appropriate report writing and academic conventions.
• Complete an evaluation report on own performance.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment includes formative assessment, summative assessment and assessment of learning done in the workplace.

Formative assessments may include formal tests, group assignments, projects, case studies, oral presentations and extensive portfolios which also reflect extended additional reading and research.

Summative assessment will consist of examinations that will take place at the end of each module to determine whether learners have achieved the required outcomes of each module.

Assessment of workplace learning will be used for both formative and summative assessment purposes.