Module Code and Title:        ENM305 Ecotourism

Programme:                          BSc in Environmental Management

Credit:                                    12

Module Tutor(s):                   Tshewang Dorji (Coordinator), Kinley Dorji

General objective: This module will introduce students to the concepts and principles of ecotourism, its role in the broader tourism sector, and its economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts at different scales. The module will familiarize students with the general impacts of ecotourism and emerging trends and practices of ecotourism around the world. It also provides new insights into integrated ecotourism planning and development strategy which underscores efficient resources allocation, stakeholder participation and equitable benefit sharing. This module intends to prepare students to critically analyse and understand this whole gamut of ecotourism so that they can develop sustainable ecotourism ventures in Bhutan.

Learning Outcomes – On completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Discuss the principles of ecotourism.
2. Discuss the impacts of ecotourism on the global economy and environment.
3. Evaluate the social impacts of global tourism/ecotourism, including acculturation, religious tolerance, and political awareness.
4. Evaluate the role of international initiatives, organizations and stakeholders in ecotourism.
5. Discuss the emerging trends of ecotourism practices in the region and in the world.
6. Outline the historical trajectory of ecotourism within Bhutan.
7. Explain the integrated systems model for ecotourism planning.
8. Identify resources, products, best management practices, and opportunities in the ecotourism sector.
9. Analyse different cultural and historical perspectives on ecotourism.
10. Discuss the typical range of ecotourism policies employed by various governments globally.
11. Explain the certification systems for ecotourism.
12. Discuss the basic framework of efficient resource allocation for ecotourism planning.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Assessment Approach:

1. Individual Reflection Paper: 10%

Students will individually produce a reflection paper based on the assigned readings. Reading materials will include a wide range of themes such as sustainable ecotourism, socio-cultural impacts of tourism/ecotourism, historical development of ecotourism or some recent survey reports on ecotourism in Bhutan/or in the regions. Students will review the information and produce a critical reflection (750 words) on their readings.

4%       Accuracy and completeness of the work

4%       Critical analysis of the issue and insightful use of class lessons to explain the significance of the findings          

2%       Language, organization and referencing

1. Block-week field-visit report: 15%

Students, in groups of 4, will undertake case study on ecotourism. Students will visit the study site during the Block Week period, read relevant secondary literature and consult support agencies (i.e., tour operators, hotels, restaurants, and homestays) that may be involved. The group report should be of 1250-1500 words and contain a common overall structure along with identified individual portions related to different cases or stakeholders from which data was collected.

Group assessment on common portions of the report (5%)

1%       Organisation and structure (Introduction, methodology, discussion, and conclusion)

3%       Quality of content across the Introduction (Clarity and focus, significance and proposition), Methodology (Accuracy/reliability - measurement instrument, collection, analyses, and context), Overall discussion (Interpretation and description, argument, and proposed perspectives)

1%       Mechanics (language, correct use of figure and tables, citation and referencing)

Individual assessment on report portions related to individual areas visited (10%)

4%       Synthesis of the information (well-supported argument for how their subject illustrates the concept or process taught in the class)

3%       Analytical thinking (critically discuss the opportunities, limitations and ecotourism best practices with the adequate logical background supports)

3%       Mechanics (Language and vocabulary usage)

1. Class Tests: 10%

Students will take two written class tests: one before midterm and one after the midterm (5% each) of 45-min duration covering 3-5 weeks of material. 

1. Forum Discussion via VLE: 5%

Discussion 1 (5%): global ecotourism sector contemporary issues, benefits and challenges

Discussion 2 (5%): Bhutan ecotourism sector contemporary issues, benefits and challenges

The VLE forum discussions will be hosted over one day each, spread out over the semester. Students will be given readings on issues related to the upcoming discussion topic to be read, then reflected upon/discussed together in the VLE forum. Each student will have to participate with appropriate discussion points in the VLE forums in line to the flow of discussions therein. Students may make multiple posts as appropriate totalling to 300-500 words for each discussion. The contributions will be cumulately assessed once a particular discussion concludes.

3%       Quality of analysis (originality, thoughtfulness of reflection, use of relevant and adequate support for all claims made, ties analysis to relevant module concepts)

2%       Articulation, accuracy, and completeness

1. Midterm Examination: 15%

Students will take a written exam of 1.5-hr duration covering topics up to the mid-point of the semester. The exam will comprise structured questions like MCQ, fill-in-the-blanks, matching, definition, as well as open-ended essay questions.

1. Semester-End Examination: 40%

Students will take a written exam of 2.5-hr duration encompassing all the subject matter covered in the semester. This assessment is comprehensive and summative in nature, and will comprise structured questions like MCQ, fill-in-the-blanks, matching, definition, as well as open-ended essay questions.

Overview of assessment approaches and weighting

Prerequisites: None

Subject Matter:

1. Unit I: Introduction to ecotourism
   • Definition of tourism
   • Types of tourism (domestic tourism, inbound tourism and outbound tourism)
   • Ecotourism (definition, concepts and principles)
   • Related terms such as nature tourism, sustainable nature tourism, cultural heritage tourism, green/sustainable tourism
   • Historical development of ecotourism
   • Types of ecotourism (cultural, scientific, educational and adventure)
   • Ecotourism in the context of other tourism types
   • Existing scenario of ecotourism in Bhutan (role of government, non-governmental organizations, tourism operators and community people)
2. Unit II: Impacts of Ecotourism
   • Economic Impacts (employment and fiscal impacts)
   • Environmental Impacts (pollution, biodiversity, carrying capacities)
   • Socio-cultural impacts on locals
     • Impact on population structure
     • Transformation of types of occupation
     • Transformation of values
     • Influence on traditional way of life
     • Modification of consumption patterns

3. Unit III: Emerging trends in ecotourism practices
   • Consumer Behavioural Trends
     • Green travel
     • Green accommodation
   • Eco-adventurer
   • Sustainable Tourism – dimensions of sustainability and benefits
   • Heritage Tourism – concept, UNESCO World Heritage Status
   • Responsible Tourism – concept, duties of a traveller
   • Wellness Tourism – yoga, meditation, Buddhism
   • Trekking, wildlife and bird tourism
4. Unit IV: Ecotourism Planning and Management
   • Ecotourism Management Plans and Frameworks
   • Integrated systems model for ecotourism planning
   • Resources system planning
     • Natural resource inventories
     • Cultural resource inventories
     • Environmental impact assessments
     • Biodiversity studies
   • Resource sustainability studies
   • Human system planning
     • Needs assessments
     • Social impact analysis
     • Attitudinal surveys
     • Economic impact assessments
     • Market segmentation studies
   • Stakeholder involvement and management decision making
   • Ecotourism objectives
   • Ecotourism development considerations: Product/experience, Distribution, Price, Communications
   • Evaluation measures: Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity
5. Unit V: Ecotourism development strategy and public relations
   • Public relations as a tool of ecotourism development strategy
   • Community participation, mobilization and group formation
   • Access to resources and benefit sharing
   • Support to nature conservation
   • Stakeholders collaboration
     • Ecotourism organization network (international and national)
     • Tourism Council of Bhutan
     • Tour Operators
     • National NGOs and local communities
     • Concepts of certification systems (standards, assessment,certification, accreditation, recognition and acceptance)
     • Information management
     • National organizations – RSPN, TCB, ABTO, hotels, travel agents and tour operators
   • Case study (success and failure)
6. Unit VI: Regulations and Policy
   • Manila Declaration on World Tourism (1980), significance and objectives
   • International organizations and conventions
     • International Ecotourism Society
     • World Tourism Organization
     • Linkages to Sustainable Development Goals
   • National tourism policies
     • High value and low impact tourism policy in Bhutan
     • Economic transformation of rural communities eg. Phojikha valley and Paro
     • Tourism Rules and Regulations 2017
     • Possible implications of ‘Tourism Levy Act of Bhutan 2020’

List of practical work:

Students will participate in a block-week field visit to Paro and Haa, shared with other modules in this semester. During this field trip, students will carry out different activities under three distinct categories:

Pre-field work

1. Identify the key stakeholders and particular sites for the visit
2. Prepare data collecting instruments
3. Read all the relevant literatures

Field activities

1. Undertake interviews or surveys with ecotourism operators, community members, and tourists.
2. Prepare the outline of report
3. Data coding and screening

Post-field work

1. Data transcription and data analysis
2. Complete report writing/ prepare policy memo
3. Present the findings to the class

Reading List:

Essential Reading

Drumm, A., & Moore, A. (2002).  An introduction to ecotourism planning. Virginia USA: Nature Conservancy.

Fennell, D.A. (2014). Ecotourism (4^th ed.). New York: Routledge.

Gurung, D.B., & Seeland, K. (2008). Ecotourism in Bhutan: Extending its benefits to rural communities. Annals of Tourism Research, 35(2), 489-508.

Nature Recreation and Ecotourism Division (NRED) & Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB). (2012). Ecotourism Development in the Protected Areas Network of Bhutan. Thimphu, Bhutan: Ministry of Agriculture and Forests.

Weaver, D.B. (Eds). (2001). The encyclopaedia of ecotourism. London, United Kingdom: CABI Publishing.

Additional Reading

Duffy, R. (2002). A trip too far: Ecotourism, politics and exploitation. London, United Kingdom: Earthscan Publications Ltd.

Gurung, D.B., & Seeland, K. (2011). Ecotourism benefits and livelihood improvement for sustainable development in the nature conservation areas of Bhutan. Sustainable Development, 19, 348-358.

Karst, H. (2016). “This is a holy place of Ama Jomo”: buen vivir, indigenous voices and ecotourism in a protected area of Bhutan. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1-17.

Lickorish, L.J., & Jenkins, C.L. (1997). An Introduction to tourism. Butterworth

Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN). Ecotourism Guideline for Phobjikha. Thimphu, Bhutan.

Montes, J., & Kafley, B. (2019). Ecotourism discourses in Bhutan: contested perceptions and values. Tourism Geographies, DOI: 10.1080/14616688.2019.1618905.

Montes, J., Kafley, B., Subba, D., Dema, T., Dendup, T., & Selden, P. (2019). Ecotourism and social cohesion: Contrasting Phobjikha and Laya experiences. Rig Tshoel, 2(1), 23- 44.

Rinzin, C., Vermeulen, W., & Glasbergen, P. (2007). Ecotourism as a mechanism for sustainable development: the case of Bhutan. Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences, 4(2), 109-125.

Wearing, S., & J. Neil. (1999). Ecotourism: impacts, potentials, and possibilities. Oxford:  Butterworth-Heinemann.   

World Tourism Organization. (2020). Global code of ethics for tourism. Set of principles from https://www.unwto.org/global-code-of-ethics-for-tourism.

Date: June 2021