Aim of Unit 7 Sustainable Tourism Development
Unit 7 Sustainable Tourism Development helps the learners to become aware of the requirement of planning and managing tourism practices in all levels within a local, regional, national and international framework. This majorly emphasises on the current trends for developmental planning of the tourism industry. The planning process involves a variety of stages that are appraised with the help of certain theories and models. This unit further helps the learners to acquire knowledge regarding the philosophy and principles of sustainable development within the industry. They would acquire knowledge regarding the issues such as environmental impact, carrying capacities, customer-relationships on the basis of which sustainable development will be introduced.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit a learner will:
- Understandtherationaleforplanninginthetravelandtourism industry
- Understand different approaches to tourism planning anddevelopment
- Understand the need for planning for sustainabletourism
- Understand current issues related to tourism developmentplanning
- Understand the socio-cultural, environmental and economic impacts of tourismin developing countries and emergingdestinations.
LO1 Understand the rationale for planning in the travel and tourism industry
In this section, the learners are required to determine the objectives for better planning of the travel and tourism industry. The objectives can include employment opportunities, conservation and protection of wildlife, coordination between public and private partners. This can also include maximisation of benefits to the customers, consumer protection, coordinate development and identification of stakeholders. This will help the learners to plan for better tourism activities for providing quality services by maintaining sustainability.
LO2 Understand different approaches to tourism planning and development
This section will help the learners to understand the various approaches towards planning and development of tourism activities. The planning is to be done on the basis of the environmental, social, economic, national, international, local and regional framework. Moreover, strategic goals can be set including the quantitative and qualitative methods to understand the impact of tourism. This can be progressed with the implementation of the Cambridge economic Impact Model (STEAM). This will help the learners to develop better planning by preserving and conserving the resources.
LO3 Understand the need for planning for sustainable tourism
The learners will be able to understand the importance of sustainable tourism based on the information of Brundtland Report (1987), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Triple Bottom Line and principles of sustainable development. They will further understand the principles of planning considering the benefits of the environment and the consumers. They are also able to develop infrastructure contributing to sustainability. This section makes the learners understand the considerations required to be kept in mind while designing a plan that include rights and responsibilities of consumers, requirement of cooperation and communication within the team members and so on.
LO4 Understand current issues related to tourism development planning
This section will foster knowledge regarding the current issues of the tourism industry such as conflict among the planner and other employees, government, tourists. This will also provide an understanding of the impacts of issues on the industry with respect to social and environmental aspects.
LO5 Understand the socio-cultural, environmental and economic impacts of tourism in developing countries and emerging destinations
In this section, the learners will be able to acquire knowledge regarding socio-cultural aspects, economic aspects and environmental aspect that are influenced due to tourism activities. They will also acquire knowledge of the impacts of tourism in developing countries and emerging destinations.

Learning outcomes and assessment criteria
Learning outcomes On successful completion of this unit a learner will: | Assessment criteria for pass The learner can: |
LO1 Understand the rationale for planning in the travel and tourism industry | discuss how stakeholders can benefit from planningof tourism developments with reference to a currentcase studydiscuss the advantages and disadvantages of public/private sector tourism planningpartnerships drawing on a currentexample |
LO2 Understand different approaches to tourism planning and development | analyse features of tourism development planningat differentlevelsevaluate the significance of interactive planning systems and processes in tourismdevelopmentsevaluate different methods available to measuretourist impact |
LO3Understand the need for planning for sustainable tourism | justifytheintroductionoftheconceptofsustainabilityin tourismdevelopmentanalyse factors that may prevent/hindersustainable tourismdevelopmentanalyse different stages in planning forsustainability |
LO4 Understand current issues related to tourism development planning | evaluate methods of resolving a conflict of intereststo ensure the future wellbeing of a developing tourism destinationanalysetheimplicationsofbalancingsupplyand demandevaluate the moral and ethical issues ofenclave tourism |
LO5 Understand the socio- cultural, environmental and economic impacts of tourism in developing countries and emerging destinations | compare current issues associated with tourism developmentinadevelopingcountryandanemerging destination where the impacts of tourism aredifferentevaluate, with recommendations, the future development of tourism in thesedestinations |
Links
This unit has links with:
- Unit 1: The Travel and Tourism Sector
- Unit 4: Research Project
- Unit 6: Contemporary Issues in Travel andTourism
- Unit 8: Legislation and Ethics in the Travel and Tourism Sector
- Unit 9: TouristDestinations
- Unit 15: ResortManagement.
This unit maps to the following Management NVQ units:
- B1: Develop and implement operational plans for your area ofresponsibility
- B2: Map the environment in which your organisationoperates.