Ecotourism course

Course Information: 

TEsM T-483 Ecotourism

About the Class:   

This class will have 2 pre-departure lectures and meeting to discuss class content and trip expectations and 2-post trip meetings to make final presentations and discuss course wrap-up.  Class will embark on a 8-day trip to Costa Rica in May 2024 (dates TBD).

Course Description:

This course promotes responsible, sustainable tourism and “green” travel best practices to minimize impact when visiting tourist destinations. Content includes motivating and changing travel behavior, visitation that improves the well-being of residents, support of local business to stimulate economic development, respect of cultures and local traditions, environmental awareness, and ecological conservation.

The class will travel to Costa Rica, a known destination for ecotourism and sustainability since the 1990s. It is a perfect destination to host a student experience focused on responsible travel and changing traveler behavior.

Course Objectives:

After successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Articulate and model the best practices of responsible or “green” travel, to include travel choices in air or ground transportation, lodging, food/beverage, entertainment choices and souvenir purchases.

• Implement the triple-bottom line sustainability theory – as it relates to tourism’s economic, environmental and social-cultural impacts

• Identify trends and impacts of ecotourism on rural, natural, and urban areas.

• Discuss the challenges of maintaining the integrity of protected areas and historical attractions.

• Determine the importance of respecting different cultures and the importance of an “authentic” travel experience

• Research and propose how to change tourist behavior

Topics:

• Unique elements of ecotourism

• Environmental, economic and socio-cultural impact on a destination

• UN Sustainability Development Goals and connection to sustainable travel

• Best practices of travelers when embarking in an ecotourism experience

• Need for change in traveler behavior and choice

Assigments:

Participation in Class Activities (pre, during and post trip)

• Class Daily Journal                                      8 submissions – 100 points

• Assignment –  Tourist Experience              50 points

• Videos– “Living” Green Travel Guide         2 vlogs - 50 points  

• Research Article Review                             50 points

• Final Presentation                                       50 points

TOTAL: 300 points

Instructor:        Amanda Cecil, PhD

                            Office: PE 264 

                            Email: akcecil@iu.edu