Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to organise and operate tourism activities with minimal negative environmental and social impact, and to monitor and report on any impact.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

The emphasis of this unit is on short-term operational action planning and implementation, without the strategic focus found in SITTPPD006B Plan and develop ecologically sustainable tourism operations.

Application of the unit 

This unit describes a product planning function for a diverse range of tourism products delivered across a range of tourism industry sectors.

It has particular application to the tour operating, cruise and attractions sectors and to those tourism products that are delivered in environmentally sensitive areas. Many would be nature or ecotourism-based experiences.

The planning and implementation of minimal impact operations could be for a series of activities within a venue, a tour operation, or a one-off activity. This role would normally apply to those who operate with some level of autonomy or under limited supervision and guidance from others, e.g. senior operational or supervisory personnel such as senior guide or senior activities coordinator, site guide, interpretive guide and owner-operator of a small tourism business.

Prerequisite units 

Nil

Employability skills 

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge and/or the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1

Organise environmentally responsible activities.

1.1

Develop experiences and activities that combine education and interpretation of the natural environment, and ensure environmental sustainability and cultural sensitivity.

1.2

Ensure a positive outcome for the local community and environment, and compliance with ecotourism codes of practice.

1.3

Consult with colleagues and other stakeholders regarding issues of responsibility for environmental impact and social impact .

1.4

Develop tour procedures to limit potential negative impact and maximise positive impact on the natural environment and local community.

2

Conduct activities with minimal impact.

2.1

Select and use minimal impact techniques and procedures  appropriate for a given area.

2.2

Advise customers politely about acceptable behaviour in different environments and communities prior to entering the area.

2.3

Provide a role model for customers and colleagues in relation to minimal impact.

2.4

Take appropriate action to address situations where customer behaviour is not acceptable.

3

Monitor impact and changes.

3.1

Monitor and accurately record changes in the natural environment  using appropriate technology.

3.2

Collect environmental information  on behalf of environmental and social agencies and authorities where appropriate.

3.3

Advise appropriate authorities of environmental and social change promptly.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

• information collection techniques for monitoring environmental and social impact
• high-level communication skills to consult with colleagues and stakeholders on issues of environmental responsibility, inform customers of their minimal impact responsibilities as tour or activity members, and discipline non-compliance when necessary
• literacy skills to:

• read and interpret complex materials describing environmental regulatory requirements, local land management practices and permit requirements, and industry and ecotourism codes of practice
• develop written or verbal tour procedures

• numeracy skills to:

• record and calculate basic measurements for environmental monitoring, e.g. temperature
• count sightings of environmental components, e.g. numbers of animals.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

• general and overview knowledge of global environmental issues and ethics
• broad working knowledge of the environmental and social impact of tourism
• in-depth knowledge of local environmental issues and the social and cultural aspects of the local host community
• the key contents of industry ecotourism codes of practice, especially that of the Ecotourism Association of Australia
• broad working knowledge of the range of environmental legislation and regulations imposed by relevant land management agencies and federal, state or territory, and local governments
• working knowledge of the particular land management practices and permit requirements affecting the area of operations, e.g. those used by national park management
• understanding of the biophysical and socio-cultural elements in an environment
• minimal impact techniques and procedures in relation to:

• waste disposal
• use of tracks
• energy use
• noise
• souveniring
• setting of camps
• interaction with wildlife
• group size
• activity-specific guidelines
• local customs and courtesies.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• ability to organise and operate tourism activities with minimal negative environmental and social impact and monitor and report on any impact on the environment
• knowledge of general environmental impact and issues in regard to tourism and the particular environments of operation
• knowledge of minimal impact practices
• planning and implementation of minimal impact operations for multiple delivery environments to ensure that skills can be adapted to different delivery locations and contexts
• project or work activities conducted over an operationally realistic period of time so that the monitoring and recording of changes in the natural environment can be assessed.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• access to comprehensive and sufficient information about the tourism delivery environment to allow the candidate to plan for minimal impact operations and monitor any environmental impact
• conduct and monitoring of a minimal impact tour or activity within appropriate environments, e.g. in an environmentally sensitive area
• conduct of a tour or activity and interaction with customer groups of a size and nature that reflect the commercial environment in which the tour or activity operates.

Methods of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess the practical skills and knowledge required to plan and implement minimal impact operations. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• direct observation of the candidate conducting a tour or activity in an environmentally sensitive area
• review of planning and operational activities undertaken as part of industry placement or training with an industry operator
• project or case study to analyse appropriate minimal impact approaches for different environments
• written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of the environmental and social impact of tourism, local environmental issues, minimal impact techniques and procedures and regulatory requirements
• review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SITTGDE004A Lead tour groups
• SITTGDE006A Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities
• SITTPPD005A Plan and develop interpretive activities
• SITTPPD006B Plan and develop ecologically sustainable tourism operations.

Assessing employability skills 

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Environmental impact  may include:

• positive:

• opportunities for conservation and protection
• education of visitors
• improvement of sites already impacted

• negative:

• disturbance of flora and fauna
• physical damage
• introduction of exotic and feral species
• pollution
• waste, energy and consumable demands and issues
• visual impacts.

Social impact  may include:

• positive:

• economic benefits to local community
• improved local facilities
• employment
• visitor education
• greater understanding between host and visitor cultures

• negative:

• trivialisation of culture
• effect on social structures.

Minimal impact techniques and procedures  may include:

• education on appropriate behaviour
• site hardening
• technological solutions
• education
• restricting or limiting access
• staged authenticity.

Changes in the natural environment  may include:

• breeding events
• erosion
• species sighting
• changes to flora
• changes to fauna.

Collecting environmental information  may involve:

• logbooks
• sighting forms
• basic measurements, including temperature, weather conditions and estimating percentage cover and water
• photography.

Sector 

Tourism

Competency field 

Planning and Product Development