Nature Tourism (5cr)

Objectives (course unit)

This course offers an overview on the nature tourism business. It is introducing the main activities and forms of tourism taking place in nature environment. Students learn the potential and vulnerability of nature and its’ meaning as a significant resource in tourism. Also theories of human need for nature contact are discussed.

After completing the course, the students will be able to:

Realize and consider nature environment as one of the most significant resource and pulling factor in tourism business.
Understand vulnerability of nature environment and the value of nature protection and sustainable tourism.
Utilize their experiences in planning, developing and marketing nature tourism.
Choose a suitable place and activity according to the client’s skills and interests

Content (course unit)

What kind of business is nature tourism?
Why is nature environment a significant resource and pulling factor in tourism?
Why do people desire to have nature experiences?
How to make nature tourism business?
What are the most popular nature tourism areas and activities in the world / in Finland / in the student’s own country?
What does a nature tourism product include and how to design such a product?

Exam schedules

No exam

Assessment methods and criteria

Student project in teams, team presentations (50 %) and discussions, report writing (50%) implementing understanding of nature tourism business. Students learn in theory and practice the potential and vulnerability of nature and its meaning as a significant resource of tourism.
- To understand and find principal attaractions of natural environments as resource and pulling factor of nature tourism.
- To understand the basics of vulnerability and biodiversity of natural environments and how to protect value of nature from negative impacts of tourism.
- To understand basics of models of restorative Effects of Natural Environment Experiences.
- To utilize students’ own experiences and lessons learned in planning , developing and marketing nature tourism.
- To understand what does nature tourism product include and how to design such a product
- To choose nature tourism product, activity and setting according to client’s skills and interests.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lectures, visiting lecturers, team working/discussions, report writing, company visits, team presentations and reports

Learning materials

Lectures, Literature.

Student workload

5cr are of 135h of work.
Lectures and meetings: 15h
Team working: 70h
Report writing: 50h

Content scheduling

Lectures 7 th of March to 18 th of April, team working, including check point/supervising meeting, report writing, presentations on 18 th of April.

Completion alternatives

Must be discussed with teacher beforehand.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Student projects

International connections

International student teams

Further information

Course is taught by Ms Jaana Leppänen, who is conducting her teacher trainee programme. First meeting on 7 th of March is highly recommended, while tasks and instructions will be released and the teams will be set during the introduction lectures. Also instructions for the report writing and presentation will be released during the lectures. The course is conducted as a student project as independent team working.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

No participation in student project/team working or lectures, task not followed/understood. Assignments not returned or returned very late.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

No active participation in lectures, team working, tasks and designing nature tourism product. Product developing only partly followed/understood/applied, Tamk report formalities are not followed or there are major mistakes, poor structure/lay out in report, few academic references (1-3) used, mistakes in reference technique, poor content of presentation and lack of presentation skills.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Active team working, task and with nature product developing are mainly followed/understood/applied, exists throughout the presentation and report, innovative ideas are presented, Tamk report formalities are mainly followed, only minor mistakes in report structure/lay out, suitable academic references (4-6) used and only minor mistakes in reference technique, relevant content in presentation, fluent and creative presentation.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Very active participation in team working, task and nature tourism product developing are completely followed/understood/applied, several innovative ideas are presented, no mistakes in Tamk report formalities, compact report structure and creative lay out, several academic references (7- ) used, no mistakes in reference technique, relevant and compact content in presentation, significantly fluent and creative presentation.