Climate change has emerged as a major, and in some cases divisive, issue that is vigorously debated at all levels of society. The vast majority of the scientific community supports the view that the Earth is warming as a result of human actions. Assuming that the scientific community is correct in its concern, and given the importance of climate and sustainable ecosystems to the long term viability of many tourism destinations, the tourism industry needs to begin factoring potential climate change impacts into its long term planning.

In this assessment, you are to identify the major climate change related issues facing the tourism industry. Focusing on mitigation, adaptation and sustainability, discuss the potential impact these factors might have in coming decades. Next, select one type of destination, eg. a coastal area, a national park system with a temperature sensitive ecosystem, a ski region etc. Discuss the potential effects of climate change on the long term sustainability of this destination type. In your discussion, outline the type of adaptation strategies that may be available to cope with the adverse effects of climate change at the destination level.

Assessments 1 and 2 are linked - please read Assessment 2 before choosing your destination type in Assessment 1.

Your assessment should be no longer than 2500 words excluding references.

Introduction (10 marks)

· Articulate the main purpose and relevant background information

Discussion (50 marks)

· Demonstrate an understanding of the major climate change factors affecting tourism

· Demonstrate an understanding of key terms such as mitigation, adaptation and sustainability

· Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of climate change at the destination level

· Demonstrate an understanding of the type of adaptation strategies that may be implemented at the destination level

References (15 marks)

· Use of appropriate references to support discussion. A minimum of 10 academic references should be provided

Organisation and structure (15 marks)

· A clear and consistent flow of ideas

Presentation and style (10 marks)

· Adherence to standard writing conventions (i.e. spelling, punctuation, grammar, use of sentences and paragraphs)

Assessments 1 and 2 are linked - please use destination type selected in Assessment 1 for Assessment 2.

For many firms operating in the tourism sector, the long term nature of the predicted adverse impacts of climate change appear to have no relevance within their planning cycle, which often runs over a 5-6 year period. However, climate change is a system wide problem and the impacts at the ecosystem level, and to some extent on ambient temperatures, are beginning to affect destinations. Low altitude ski destinations are one example of destinations affected by climate change. The aim of this presentation is to outline strategies that firms within the destination type discussed in Assessment 1 can implement to cope with the long term impacts of climate change.

Your presentation should include:

· Outline the type of impacts that firms can expect to be effected by at destination level

· Outline the general approach that has been recommended for tourism firms in terms of mitigation and adaptation

· Outline suggested adaptation strategies that individual firms can adopt to combat the impacts of climate change

· Outline the potential impact of climate change on long-term sustainability of firms that fail to adopt adaptation strategies

· The final slide should contain a list of references (minimum 8 academic references required)

Instructions

You have 15 minutes to deliver your presentation and 5 minutes for discussion.

You also need to submit your Powerpoint slides via Moodle on the day of the presentation. Presentations will take place in Weeks 10 and 11, with on-campus students presenting during workshops and distance students presenting via a Zoom.

Introduction (15 marks)

· Articulates the main purpose of presentation and relevant background information

Content (50 marks)

· Understanding of impacts at destination and firm levels

· Understanding of strategies

References (15 marks)

· Use and presentation of references to support your arguments

Organisation and Structure (10 marks)

· Structure or sequence of headings and titles and labelling of figures and tables

· Use of photographs, diagrams and tables

Presentation and Style (10 marks)

· Spelling, punctuation, capitalisation and grammar

· Use of Powerpoint

The aim of this assessment task is to discuss the role of a crisis management plan at the destination level. You should first outline the component parts of a crisis management plan. Next, using case studies published in the academic literature, demonstrate the role of each component of a crisis management plan. Finally, select a destination that has the potential to suffer a crisis event (a cyclone or earthquake for example) and outline how a crisis management plan may assist the destination’s tourism industry to respond to a crisis event.

Your assessment should be no longer than 2500 words, excluding academic reference. You are expected to include at least 12 academic references.

Introduction (10 marks)

· Articulation of the aim of the assessment and relevant background information

Discussion (50 marks)

· Demonstrate understanding of tourism crisis theory

· Demonstrate understanding of key elements of a destination crisis management plan

· Selection of appropriate case studies

· Justification of the selected destination and identification of potential crisis events

· Demonstrate an understanding of how crisis management plans can assist rapid recovery in the post crisis period

References (15 marks)

· Use of appropriate references to support discussion

Organisation and structure (15 marks)

· A clear and consistent flow of ideas

Presentation and style (10 marks)

· Adherence to standard writing conventions (i.e. spelling, punctuation, grammar, use of sentences and paragraphs)