Elements and Performance Criteria

This unit applies to all tourism industry sectors. The following explanations identify how this unit may be applied in different workplaces, sectors and circumstances.
Minimal impact techniques and procedures may include:
education on appropriate behavioural patterns
site hardening
technological solutions
education
restricting or limiting access
staged authenticity.
Environmental impacts may include:
Positive
opportunities for conservation/protection
education of visitors
improvement of sites already impacted.

Negative
disturbance of flora and fauna
physical damage
introduction of exotic/feral species
pollution
waste, energy and consumable demands and issues
visual impacts.
Social impacts 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.
Methods of information collection may include:
logbooks
sighting forms
basic measurements (temperature, weather conditions, estimations of percentage cover, water)
photography.
Changes in the natural environment may include:
breeding events
erosion
species sighting
changes to flora
changes to fauna.
This unit applies to all tourism industry sectors. The following explanations identify how this unit may be applied in different workplaces, sectors and circumstances.
Minimal impact techniques and procedures may include:
education on appropriate behavioural patterns
site hardening
technological solutions
education
restricting or limiting access
staged authenticity.
Environmental impacts may include:
Positive
opportunities for conservation/protection
education of visitors
improvement of sites already impacted.

Negative
disturbance of flora and fauna
physical damage
introduction of exotic/feral species
pollution
waste, energy and consumable demands and issues
visual impacts.
Social impacts 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.
Methods of information collection may include:
logbooks
sighting forms
basic measurements (temperature, weather conditions, estimations of percentage cover, water)
photography.
Changes in the natural environment may include:
breeding events
erosion
species sighting
changes to flora
changes to fauna.

Essential Knowledge and Skills to be Assessed
The following knowledge and skills must be assessed as part of this unit:
general and overview knowledge of global environmental issues
local environmental and cultural issues of which tourism operators must be aware
land management practices, including those used by National Park management
general and overview knowledge of environmental ethics
relevant Federal/State/Territory/local legislation, regulations and by-laws
minimal impact techniques in relation to:
waste disposal
use of tracks
energy use
noise
souveniring
setting of camps
interactions with wildlife
group size
activity specific guidelines
local customs/courtesies.

environmental information collection techniques
ecotourism codes of practice (as per Ecotourism Association of Australia)
an understanding of the biophysical and socio-cultural elements in an environment.
Linkages to Other Units
This unit has linkages to a range of other related units and combined training and assessment may be appropriate. Examples include but are not limited to:
All guiding units
THTPPD01B Create and implement strategic product development initiatives
THTPPD06B Plan and develop ecologically sustainable tourism operations.
Critical Aspects of Assessment
Evidence of the following is critical:
ability to conduct a tourism activity using the minimal impact techniques appropriate for a given environment
knowledge of the environmental impacts and issues associated with tourism.
Context of Assessment and Resource Implications
Assessment must ensure:
conduct of an activity for a group of people within a natural environment so that minimal impact practices can be demonstrated.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods must be chosen to ensure that the application of minimal impact principles can be practically demonstrated. Methods must include assessment of knowledge as well as assessment of practical skills.
The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
conduct of a group tour in an environmentally sensitive area
project or case study to analyse appropriate minimal impact approaches for different environments
questions to assess knowledge of environmental issue, ethics and collection techniques
review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Key Competencies in this Unit
Key Competencies are an integral part of all workplace competencies. The table below describes those applicable to this unit. Trainers and assessors should ensure that they are addressed in training and assessment.
Level 1 = Perform Level 2 = Administer and Manage Level 3 = Design and Evaluate
Key Competencies
Collecting, Organising and Analysing Information
For example:
Reviewing a tour brief to determine how to minimise any negative environmental or social impact (2)
Communicating Ideas and Information
For example:
Briefing a group of customers on the environmental sensitivity of an area (2)
Planning and Organising Activities
For example:
Organising the movement of people to ensure negative impacts are minimised (2)
Working with Others and in Teams
For example:
Consulting with colleagues on ideas for minimising negative impacts, or enhancing positive impacts (2)
Using Mathematical Ideas and Techniques
For example:
Reviewing the carrying capacity of an area in relation to group size (1)
Solving Problems
For example:
Dealing with a customer who ignores agreed behavioural guidelines (2)
Using Technology
For example:
Using equipment to monitor water quality (1)
Essential Knowledge and Skills to be Assessed
The following knowledge and skills must be assessed as part of this unit:
general and overview knowledge of global environmental issues
local environmental and cultural issues of which tourism operators must be aware
land management practices, including those used by National Park management
general and overview knowledge of environmental ethics
relevant Federal/State/Territory/local legislation, regulations and by-laws
minimal impact techniques in relation to:
waste disposal
use of tracks
energy use
noise
souveniring
setting of camps
interactions with wildlife
group size
activity specific guidelines
local customs/courtesies.

environmental information collection techniques
ecotourism codes of practice (as per Ecotourism Association of Australia)
an understanding of the biophysical and socio-cultural elements in an environment.
Linkages to Other Units
This unit has linkages to a range of other related units and combined training and assessment may be appropriate. Examples include but are not limited to:
All guiding units
THTPPD01B Create and implement strategic product development initiatives
THTPPD06B Plan and develop ecologically sustainable tourism operations.
Critical Aspects of Assessment
Evidence of the following is critical:
ability to conduct a tourism activity using the minimal impact techniques appropriate for a given environment
knowledge of the environmental impacts and issues associated with tourism.
Context of Assessment and Resource Implications
Assessment must ensure:
conduct of an activity for a group of people within a natural environment so that minimal impact practices can be demonstrated.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods must be chosen to ensure that the application of minimal impact principles can be practically demonstrated. Methods must include assessment of knowledge as well as assessment of practical skills.
The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
conduct of a group tour in an environmentally sensitive area
project or case study to analyse appropriate minimal impact approaches for different environments
questions to assess knowledge of environmental issue, ethics and collection techniques
review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.
Key Competencies in this Unit
Key Competencies are an integral part of all workplace competencies. The table below describes those applicable to this unit. Trainers and assessors should ensure that they are addressed in training and assessment.
Level 1 = Perform Level 2 = Administer and Manage Level 3 = Design and Evaluate
Key Competencies
Collecting, Organising and Analysing Information
For example:
Reviewing a tour brief to determine how to minimise any negative environmental or social impact (2)
Communicating Ideas and Information
For example:
Briefing a group of customers on the environmental sensitivity of an area (2)
Planning and Organising Activities
For example:
Organising the movement of people to ensure negative impacts are minimised (2)
Working with Others and in Teams
For example:
Consulting with colleagues on ideas for minimising negative impacts, or enhancing positive impacts (2)
Using Mathematical Ideas and Techniques
For example:
Reviewing the carrying capacity of an area in relation to group size (1)
Solving Problems
For example:
Dealing with a customer who ignores agreed behavioural guidelines (2)
Using Technology
For example:
Using equipment to monitor water quality (1)