Module Information

Module Identifier
MM39020
Module Title
Adventure Tourism
Academic Year
2013/2014
Co-ordinator
Ms Amanda Jayne Talbot
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 11 x 2-hour lectures
Seminars / Tutorials 11 x 1-hour seminars
Practical 3 x 3 hour practicals (two field visits and one workshop)
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Exam 1.5 Hours   Unseen written examination  50%
Semester Assessment Business Plan  50%
Supplementary Exam 1.5 Hours   Unseen written examination  Repeat failed element  Repeat failed element  50%
Supplementary Assessment Business plan  Repeat failed element  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

* Discuss the history of adventure and exploration;

* Appreciate models of adventure and outdoor recreation;

* Discuss behaviour in adventure tourism activity;

* Evaluate risk management in outdoor recreation;

* Understand the need for environmental conservation and sustainability in adventure tourism;

* Be able to plan, manage and market adventure tourism.

Aims

Adventure tourism is a major part of the product portfolio for rural/peripheral locations. Whilst based in outdoor recreation, it has become increasingly commercialised and sophisticated and requires careful planning and risk management strategies. This module will present an understanding of adventure tourism activity through lectures, seminars and workshops and will require students to present a business plan for an adventure tourism enterprise.

Content

  • A history of adventure and exploration;
  • Motivations for adventure;
  • Adventure and the environment;
  • Models of adventure;
  • Marketing adventure;
  • Adventure destinations;
  • Managing Adventure businesses;
  • Risk Management;
  • Product and Program Development;
  • Leadership Skills;
  • Activity conflicts.

Brief description

This module will explain the growth in adventure tourism and how it is situated within contemporary rural locations. It will include an appreciation of the history of adventure, adventurous leisure practice and relationships to environment and landscape, and explain consumer motivations and models of adventure. It will also show how adventure tourism has been used within destinations to broaden the tourist product. Theories and issues associated with adventure tourism will be illustrated using case study material and issues important to management of adventure tourism activities in a commercial setting will be identified. Students will be able to show an appreciation of product and programme development strategies in theory and practice and discuss and evaluate risk management strategies. Leadership skills and the use of these in adventurous and non-adenturous activities will also be identified as well as an evaluation of strategies and techniques for managing adventurous activity within protected areas.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number The assessment will require students to consider numerical aspects of business planning and risk assessment.
Communication Students will learn the importance of communications skills and will have the opportunity to develop these in the workshops
Improving own Learning and Performance The module will give students the ability to assess outdoor learning theory and adventure tourism students will be able to apply these in their certification modules.
Information Technology Students will be expected to use information technology in the course assessment.
Personal Development and Career planning Students will be able to assess business and career opportunities in the adventure tourism sector.
Problem solving Students will be expected to evaluate problem solving in regard to sustainability issues, conflict resolution and risk management challenges.
Research skills Students will develop research skills for the assignment.
Subject Specific Skills Risk assessment skills.
Team work Students will work in teams and understand the value of teamworking and leadership skills in adventure operations.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Buckley, R. (ed) (2007) Adventure Tourism CABI, Oxford Primo search Cater, C. (2006) Playing with Risk? Participant perceptions of risk and management implications in adventure tourism. Tourism Management 27:5 Primo search Swarbrooke, J. (2003) Adventure tourism: the new frontier Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6