Ecotourism
- Sciences
- 200 level
- 2 credit units
- 122 pages
- 10 units
This course introduces the concept of ecotourism and its role in sustainable tourism. It explores development and management issues, highlighting the importance of conservation and community involvement. The course examines the impact of ecotourism on the environment, covering planning, development, and the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). It also showcases ecotourism projects in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for responsible and sustainable practices to balance economic benefits with environmental preservation.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ESM221, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ESM221 · UNIT 1 THE CONCEPT OF ECOTOURISM
Ecotourism has been advocated within the academic literature as an important community economic development strategy due to the potential economic and social benefits that the sector can generate (Caldicott and Fuller 2005).
What you should be able to do
- Define ecotourism and its principles
- Analyze the impacts of ecotourism on the environment
- Apply planning principles to ecotourism destinations
- Utilize GIS as a planning tool
- Evaluate ecotourism projects in Nigeria
- Develop sustainable tourism plans
What it prepares you for
- Tourism Planner
- Ecotourism Consultant
- Park Ranger
- Conservation Officer
- Sustainable Tourism Manager
- Tourism
- Conservation
- Environmental Management
- Hospitality
- Government
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Ecotourism Impacts and Planning
Unit 4: Geographical Information System as Planning Tool
Requires understanding of complex spatial data analysis techniques and software applications.
- Module 2: Ecotourism Impacts and Planning
Unit 2: Impacts of Ecotourism on the Environment (2)
Balancing economic benefits with ecological preservation requires nuanced understanding of trade-offs.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: The Concept Of Ecotourism · 2 hours
Define ecotourism, its principles, and its importance in sustainable development.. Discuss the evolution of ecotourism definitions and its relationship with nature-based tourism..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 2: Ecotourism as Sustainable Tourism · 2 hours
Examine the role of ecotourism in promoting sustainable tourism practices.. Analyze the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability in ecotourism..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Development Issues · 2 hours
Identify and discuss the key development issues affecting ecotourism projects.. Explore strategies for addressing challenges related to infrastructure, funding, and community participation..
- Week 4Module 1: Introduction
Unit 4: Management Issues and Options · 2 hours
Analyze management issues and options for ecotourism sites.. Evaluate different management approaches, including community-based management and public-private partnerships..
- Week 5Module 1: Introduction
Unit 5: Resources for Ecotourism in Nigeria · 2 hours
Identify and evaluate the resources available for ecotourism in Nigeria.. Discuss the potential and challenges of utilizing these resources for sustainable ecotourism development..
- Week 6Module 2: Ecotourism Impacts and Planning
Unit 1: Impact of Ecotourism on the Environment (1) · 2 hours
Examine the positive and negative impacts of ecotourism on the environment.. Discuss strategies for mitigating negative environmental impacts and promoting conservation..
- Week 7Module 2: Ecotourism Impacts and Planning
Unit 2: Impacts of Ecotourism on the Environment (2) · 2 hours
Analyze the long-term environmental consequences of ecotourism activities.. Develop methods for assessing and managing environmental risks associated with ecotourism..
- Week 8Module 2: Ecotourism Impacts and Planning
Unit 3: Planning and Development of Ecotourism Destinations · 2 hours
Apply planning principles to the development of ecotourism destinations.. Develop sustainable tourism plans that integrate environmental, social, and economic considerations..
- Week 9Module 2: Ecotourism Impacts and Planning
Unit 4: Geographical Information System as Planning Tool · 2 hours
Utilize Geographical Information Systems (GIS) as a planning tool for ecotourism.. Apply GIS techniques to analyze spatial data and make informed decisions about ecotourism development..
- Week 10Module 2: Ecotourism Impacts and Planning
Unit 5: Ecotourism Projects in Nigeria · 2 hours
Examine successful ecotourism projects in Nigeria.. Evaluate the strategies and outcomes of these projects, identifying best practices and lessons learned..
- Week 11Module 1: Introduction
Module 1 Review · 2 hours
Review the concept of ecotourism, its principles, and its importance in sustainable development.. Discuss the evolution of ecotourism definitions and its relationship with nature-based tourism..
- Week 12Module 2: Ecotourism Impacts and Planning
Module 2 Review · 2 hours
Review the positive and negative impacts of ecotourism on the environment.. Discuss strategies for mitigating negative environmental impacts and promoting conservation..
- Week 13Final Revision
Final Revision · 6 hours
Complete assignments and prepare for final exams.. Focus on key concepts and case studies covered throughout the course..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a study schedule allocating specific time for each module
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback
- Focus on understanding key concepts and principles of ecotourism
- Practice applying GIS techniques using case studies
- Analyze real-world ecotourism projects in Nigeria and identify best practices
Questions students ask about this course
What is ESM221 about?
This course introduces the concept of ecotourism and its role in sustainable tourism. It explores development and management issues, highlighting the importance of conservation and community involvement. The course examines the impact of ecotourism on the environment, covering planning, development, and the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). It also showcases ecotourism projects in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for responsible and sustainable practices to balance economic benefits with environmental preservation.
How many units does ESM221 have?
ESM221, Ecotourism, has 10 units across 2 modules, over 122 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ESM221?
ESM221 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Sciences.
Is ESM221 hard?
ESM221 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does ESM221 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 10 units.
How is ESM221 assessed?
ESM221 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with ESM221?
Tourism Planner, Ecotourism Consultant, Park Ranger, Conservation Officer and Sustainable Tourism Manager.