Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sustainable-tourism
The rapid expansion of international tourism, especially into low-income countries, presents a complex web of environmental and public health challenges. The Coursera course, ‘Sustainable Tourism – promoting environmental public health,’ offers a crucial deep dive into these issues, equipping learners with the knowledge to foster a more responsible and beneficial tourism sector.
This MOOC expertly navigates the intricate relationship between tourism growth and the often-limited infrastructural and regulatory capacities of developing nations. It doesn’t shy away from the negative implications, but rather focuses on presenting actionable experiences and potential pathways toward a more sustainable form of tourism. The course structure is particularly effective, breaking down complex topics into digestible modules.
The first module, ‘Tourism and the global sustainability agenda,’ sets a strong foundation by examining global tourism trends and their social and environmental footprints. It delves into policies and strategies for sustainable tourism in low-income countries, highlighting the role of certification systems and using Zanzibar as a compelling case study for environmental health impacts within the tourist sector.
Following this, the module ‘Tourism – a major consumer of freshwater and producer of wastewater’ tackles the significant water-related challenges. It scrutinizes the role of hotels, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, as major freshwater consumers and wastewater producers. The impacts on marine ecosystems and freshwater resource management, including the critical issue of saltwater intrusion, are thoroughly explored, again with Zanzibar serving as a practical example. The discussion on introducing innovative policies, technologies, and management approaches for sustainable water resource management is particularly valuable.
Finally, ‘Promoting the environment’ addresses the pervasive problem of solid waste management within the tourist sector. It illustrates the scope of waste generation challenges and the obstacles linked to poor management, emphasizing the environmental health consequences. The module showcases policies and private sector initiatives aimed at improving waste management, with a special focus on environmental management interventions for mosquito control in resorts as a prime example of developing a sustainable tourist sector.
Overall, ‘Sustainable Tourism – promoting environmental public health’ is an indispensable course for anyone involved in or interested in the tourism industry, environmental management, public health, or development studies. It provides a balanced perspective, acknowledging the economic benefits of tourism while critically examining its environmental and health costs, and most importantly, offering practical solutions for a more sustainable future. I highly recommend this course for its insightful content and practical recommendations.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sustainable-tourism