GRIFFITH BUSINESS SCHOOL

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, LEISURE, HOTEL AND SPORT MANAGEMENT

3113HSL TOURISM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

COURSE OUTLINE
SEMESTER ONE, 2005
BASIC INFORMATION
Course Convenor - Barry Bell

Bldg. M10 - Room 5.20

Ph. (07) 3875.5615: Fax (07) 3875 5661

1.0

Brief Description
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the principles and practices associated
with tourism planning and development. It will focus attention on planning authorities, structures
and processes and reflect the growing issues and concerns associated with tourism development in
Australia and links to the Asia/Pacific region. In particular the role of different levels of government
in developing policy and planning guidelines will be addressed.

2.0

Objectives
On completion of this course, students should be able to:
identify the key policies, structures and issues that impact tourism planning and development at
national, state and regional levels;

3.0

critically discuss different approaches to the tourism planning process and how this can be
applied to current planning and development issues;

effectively apply planning and marketing concepts to the development of tourism infrastructure
and services.

Interrelationships with other Courses

This course represents one of three electives offered in the tourism major. It is designed to
complement the analysis of tourism industry operations and tourist behaviour developed in 2008
LST Tourism Studies. Issues related to the role and responsibility of the public and private sectors
in tourism planning and development are explored. The potential for community input to the
planning process will also be addressed in this course.
Tourism Planning and Development assumes some prior knowledge and will draw upon theoretical
concepts and principles from core courses in leisure management, planning, marketing and
evaluation. To achieve these objectives, students will be expected to:

4.0

attend lectures and tutorials as scheduled;

research and read beyond set materials;
actively participate and contribute to tutorial discussions;
work effectively in pairs/small groups;
select and negotiate a self-directed project.

Content

The course deals with the following content areas. For more information on topics to be covered
each week, students should refer to the web portal for this course :
Tourism and Government Policy. The influence of government policies/ strategies on tourism
planning and development at national, state and regional and local levels.
Tourism Planning. Approaches and application of tourism planning models including: boosterism,
an economic/industry approach, community-based tourism and integrative approaches. Analysis of
the tourism planning process and its implications for regional and local planning.
Tourism Marketing. An examination of national, state and regional marketing strategies, regional
tourism marketing plans and current tourism marketing practices in Australia. A review of the
marketing mix and market segmentation as it applies to tourism.
Regional/ Destination Development. The structure and function of regional tourist development
organisations and their relationships with government, tourism operators and tourist consumers.
Urban Tourism. The impact of tourism on cities in post-industrial society; stages and cycles of
development.
Tourism trends in the Asia/Pacific region and other key markets and how this relates to and
influences tourism planning and development in Australia.
Case Studies in Tourism Planning and Development. Analysis of planning and development issues
as they relate to tourism policy and sustainable development.
Seminars related to a self-directed study in Tourism Planning and Development. This involves the
negotiation and initiation of a student-directed learning project that is reflective of course content
and the students individual interests in tourism.
4.1

Weekly Study Chart

Students should refer to the Web portal for this course to access overviews for each lecture
topic and other related material. This will assist you in preparing for class discussions (15%
Participation mark) and the course examination (30%).

Week

Content
L. = lecture; T. = tutorial

Tutorial Learning Activities and Preparation

Note: To assist you in developing a better understanding of course
content and preparing for examination questions, students are
expected to complete the readings for each week

L. National governments and

tourism
T. Setting up your Self Directed
Project

This tutorial will give examples to get you thinking about your selfdirected project; see Appendix A.
Course Readings 1 &2 (catch up before next week)
For week 2 tutorial using a public sector website, prepare a brief
verbal summary of a recent report on tourism development. You
may work in pairs
L. State government and tourism Course Readings 3 & 4
Local government and tourism For week 3 tutorial Research and summarise a recent journal
T. Web search discussion
article that reflects your interest in tourism planning and
development.
L. Traditional approaches to
Course Readings 5 & 6 - for week 4 tutorial, prepare answers to the
tourism planning
questions on the Harbour Beach case study (Course Reading 6)
T. Journal search discussion
Sign up for seminar presentation dates.
L. Resort Development
Investing in Tourism
T. Case Study- Harbour Beach
(reading 6)

Course Reading 7 - For week 5 tutorial, read the case study on

Database Marketing (p.244 of Reading 7). Discuss with your local
travel agent, and prepare the first two case questions for class
discussion. You may work in pairs on this exercise.

Mid Semester Study Week

5

7
8

10

11

12

13

14

5.0

L. Tourism Marketing
T. Case Study Marketing
(reading 7)

L. Regional/ Destination
Development
T. Case Study- Making a Killing
(reading 8)
L. Rural Tourism
T. Student Seminars
L. Urban Tourism
T. Student Seminars
L. Tourism as Events
T. Student Seminars
L. Tourism in the Asia/Pacific
region
T. Student Seminars
COURSE EXAM - No Lecture
this week
T. Tutorials scheduled as usual
L. Self-directed project
workshop
T. Student Seminars
L. Self-directed project
workshop
T. Student Seminars
Swat Vac Week

Catch up on Course readings

Research topic for your self-directed project
Course Reading 8 - for week 6 tutorial, prepare answers to the
questions related to Reading 8
Confirm your seminar topic on the Lecturers Notice Board by
Friday, 8 April, 2005; avoid duplication of topics within your
tutorial group.

Reminder - student seminars begin week 7. Check that your topic

and seminar date have been confirmed with your tutor

A one page draft proposal for your self-directed project to be

submitted by Friday, 22 April, 2005
Your Seminar focus should reflect this proposal
Arrange a time to discuss your project proposal with your tutor in
weeks 8 -10
Course Readings 9 and 10 for next weeks lecture
See exam question bank on the course web site and Lecturers
Notice Board
Review your lecture notes and course readings for the Exam in
week 11.

Time & location to be advised

Please note: During weeks 12 & 13, the lecture periods will be
conducted as workshops to assist students with their self-directed
project

Self-directed project due 3.00pm Monday,

6 June, 2005

Generic Skills Development

This course also aims to enhance the development of students generic skills such as self
management, information search, analytical skills, problem solving, written and oral
communication, that are sought after by potential employers. For further assistance in developing
generic skills, check out the Griffith Graduate web site for a list of resources, activities and
workshops:

6.0

Organisation and Teaching methods

Delivery of course content is structured as follows, involving three (3) class contact hours per week:
Lectures will be used to present the current trends and problems, theories, research, and recent media
comment related to tourism planning and development.
Tutorials provide opportunity to discuss readings, case studies and literature reviews. Students will
be encouraged to critically analyse and integrate current research and reports on tourism planning
and development issues into class discussions and assignments.
Seminars allow students pursue a topic of their personal interest in tourism planning and
development, receive feedback and debate from peers and engage in shared learning. Students
should use this seminar as a lead investigation to their self-directed project.

7.0

Assessment
Semester Examination
Week 11 time and venue to be advised

Length: 1.5 hours

Weighting: 35%

Students will be required to write short answers to questions taken from lectures, tutorials and
course readings
An exam question bank will be available prior to the exam; this will help your preparation for the
exam.
Length: 3,000 words
Weighting: 35%

Self-Directed Project Report

Due: 3.00pm Monday, 6 June, 2005

Students, in pairs, must negotiate a topic with the lecturer by the end of Week 9. The Project Report
should be presented, using a technical report format - see Appendix A of this document and the
Schools current Guidelines for the Preparation and Presentation of Written Assignments. Do not
submit project reports by e-mail attachment.
Weighting: 15%
Seminar Presentation
Student led seminar discussions (20 minutes) will commence in Week 7. Students must hand out a
one-page summary of their topic to the class group on the day of their seminar. This summary
should include at least three questions for class discussion. Ideally, your topic should link to your
self-directed project. See notes in Required Reading below. Seminars should conclude with a
statement on the implications/considerations for tourism planning and development at a national,
state, regional or local level.
Seminar topics must be approved by the course convenor by Week 6.

Class Participation and Contribution

Weighting: 15%

(students must attend at least 10 tutorials/ seminars to be eligible for a grade for this item)
Students are expected to prepare for tutorials as set out in the course outline, and reflect this
preparation through individual contributions to class discussion and problem solving.
8.0

Texts and Supporting Material

No prescribed text for this course; see Required Course Readings
Required Course Readings
A selection of required readings will be presented in a Book of Course Readings that can be
purchased for a nominal cost from the Mt Gravatt Campus Bookshop.
For your seminar and project, you will need to review the literature and explore some planning and
development problems/ issues related to your topic. This review of current literature should assist
you in getting focused on your self-directed project. Sample topics will be discussed in tutorial in
week 1.
Supporting Material
These texts held on closed reserve for the semester are a useful starting point for general
concepts and ideas, particularly for students taking a tourism course for the first time. Your
research for assignments needs to be supplemented with current journal articles and reports:
Douglas, N., Douglas, N. G., and Derrett, R. (2001). Special Interest Tourism: Context and Cases,
Brisbane, Australia; Wiley and Sons
French, C., Craig-Smith S., and Collier, A. (1995). Principles of Tourism. Melbourne, Longman
Australia.
Gartner, W. C. (1996) Tourism Development: Principles, Processes and Policies. New York; Wiley
and Sons.
Gunn, C. (1994). Tourism Planning: Basic Concepts and Cases. Third edition. Washington DC,
Taylor and Francis.
Hall, C.M. (1995). Introduction to Tourism: development, dimensions and issues.
Third Edition. Melbourne: Longman Australia
Hancock, M., King, V. and Parnwell, J. (1994). Tourism in South-East Asia. London, Routledge.
Inskip, E. (1991). Tourism Planning - an Integrated and Sustainable Development Approach. New
York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Publishers.
Leiper, N. (1995). Tourism Management. Abbotsford, Victoria: TAFE Publications.
Robinson, M. and Boniface, P. (1999) Tourism and Cultural Conflicts. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Publishing.
Murphy, P. (1997). Quality Management in Urban Tourism. Chichester, England: Wiley and Sons.
Richardson, J. (1996). Marketing Australian Travel and Tourism: Principles and Practices.
Elernstick, Victoria; Hospitality Press.
Weaver, D. and Oppermann, M. (2000). Tourism Management. Brisbane, Wiley and Sons Australia,
Ltd.
Journals and Reports
Some examples of tourism journals of international standing:
Annals of Tourism Research
Tourism Management

Journal of Travel Research

Journal of Tourism Studies

Various reports and publications from federal and state tourism departments, ATC and BTR are
available through Mt. Gravatt, Nathan and Gold Coast libraries, or direct from the relevant websites.
Coverage of Australian tourism trends may also be drawn from:
PATA Travel News
Business Review Weekly
Australia, Bureau of Tourism Research Publications
Bulletin
Australian Planner
Australian Financial Review
Current Affairs Bulletin
and other Australian news media
9.0 University Policies
9.1 Late Submission of Assignments
Requests for an extension of time for submission of an assessment item must be lodged before the due date for
the assessment item. Requests received on or after the due date will only be considered in exceptional
circumstances. Extension requests must be made in writing to the Course Convenor, and be accompanied by
appropriate supporting documentation.
Where an extension has not been granted, an assessment item submitted after the due date will be penalised as
follows: the mark awarded to the item will be reduced by 10% of the maximum possible mark for each day that
the assessment item is late. Each weekend (from Friday to Sunday) will count as one day.
9.2 Plagiarism / Academic Misconduct
Students must conduct their studies at the University honestly, ethically and in accordance with accepted
standards of academic conduct. Any form of academic conduct which is contrary to these standards is academic
misconduct for which the University may penalise a student. Specifically it is academic misconduct for a student
to:
present copied, falsified or improperly obtained data as if it were the result of laboratory work, field trips or
other investigatory work;
include in the student's individual work material which is the result of significant assistance from another
person if that assistance was unacceptable according to the instructions or guidelines for that work;
assist another student in the presentation of that student's individual work in a way that is unacceptable
according to the instructions or guidelines for that work;
cheat; (Cheating is dishonest conduct in assessment);
plagiarise; (Plagiarism is knowingly presenting the work or property of another person as if it were one's
own.)
On determination that academic misconduct has taken place, the penalty which may be imposed on the student
is one or more of the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.

a reduced or nil result for the assessment item affected by the academic misconduct;
a fail grade for the course in which academic misconduct occurred;
exclusion from enrolment in the program for a specified period;
exclusion from the program; readmission to the program is at the discretion of the Faculty based on
consideration of the student's case for readmission.

Where a student has been found guilty of academic misconduct on more than one occasion and has previously
been penalised as set out in above a. - c., the penalty shall normally be exclusion from the program as set out in
d., unless in the opinion of the relevant Assessment Board there are mitigating circumstances.
Further information on this policy can be found in full at the following web address:
http://www62.gu.edu.au/policylibrary.nsf
9.3

Assessment Policy

This policy outlines the philosophy of assessment, the assessment requirements of a course, the award of
grades, information on special consideration, supplementary and deferred assessment, the conduct of
students in examinations and the notification of results. This policy also includes information on appealing
grades (review of grade application), disposal of non-collected assessment material and roles and
responsibilities of Course Convenors and Faculty Assessment Boards. This policy can be found in full at the
following web address: http://www62.gu.edu.au/policylibrary.nsf
9.4
Student Appeals and Grievances Policy
Griffith University is committed to an equitable and enriching environment for students which fosters
academic achievement and where the interactions amongst students and staff are based on mutual respect,
fairness and fulfilment of obligations. The University's Student Charter expresses the expectations which
students may have of the University and which the University has of its students. The Student Charter,
together with the rules and policies of the University, provide the framework for the interaction between the
University, its staff and students. This policy provides the mechanism for resolving problems when a
student considers that a decision of the University or one of its staff or a situation experienced by the student
is not in accordance with the expectations set down in the Student Charter or the University's rules and
policies.
Section 2.1 of this policy provides students with information on how to best resolve certain grievances, eg.
the awarding of a final grade, appealing a penalty imposed for academic misconduct, appealing academic
probation or exclusion decisions, or refusal to award a deferred exam etc. This policy can be found in full at
the following web address: http://www62.gu.edu.au/policylibrary.nsf

Appendix 1
3113HSL TOURISM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Self Directed Project and Report - Maximum 3000 words - 35%
Consider the following weighting of marks in preparing your assignment:

Introduction - A paragraph or two giving a broad overview of your project and the
key questions/issue you will address.
Background information- This should take the form of a literature review
covering the tourism area of focus for your project. This reading of
current literature on your topic should help you identify strategies,
models, or a set of criteria for exploring a specific case or issue.
10%
Application to a specific case, issue or problem in tourism planning and
development. This section outlines your approach/ methods to
applying the knowledge you have developed from the literature
10%
Discussion of the outcomes and findings of your project
10%
Conclusions, recommendations, implications for future tourism planning
5%

Suggested areas of focus will be discussed in class tutorials. Consider some of the following approaches to
your project:

A feasibility study for a proposed or existing tourism facility, service or product;

A site analysis or evaluation of an existing tourist facility/service; eg. Australian Woolshed,
Southbank, City Tours, Underwater World; other theme parks or visitor attractions, etc.
A historical case study of a well-known tourist development; eg. Sanctuary Cove,
Hinchenbrook
A response to a call for submissions by the tourism industry on current tourism issues, eg.
Aboriginal Tourism, Rural Tourism, a State Tourism Strategy, National tourism policy
Political-economic-social influences on developing tourism links with another Asia-Pacific
country; eg., how have recent events have impacted on tourism between the two countries?
A comparative study of tourism policy and planning across two Australian states/ two
regions/ two local authorities;
A SWOT analysis of an existing tourism service, organisation, or region
The potential effect of a major event on an Australian destination or region;
Others by negotiation; eg. impact studies, market analysis, employment and training issues,
crime and tourism, collaborative alliances in tourism, government policy and funding,
tourism investment

The above are merely suggestions to get you started. Most importantly, the project should reflect your
interests in the tourism industry. A one-page summary outlining your interests and approach to the
assignment must be handed to the Course Convenor by end of Week 7. Begin this summary with the
statement:The purpose of this project is to .................................... (followed by a statement that
succinctly describes the main focus of your study)
Once you have read broadly in your area of interest and begin to focus your ideas, you are invited to discuss
direction and resources for the assignment with the Course Convenor. This should be done no later than
Week 9. Depending on the nature of your project, negotiation on the weighting to different sections of your
project can also be discussed at this time.
Project reports that exceed 10% beyond the required word length may incur a marking penalty.
Present additional material as appendices to the report.