North Island Secondary School Course Outline

COURSE: Tourism 11/12

TEACHER: Greg Muirhead

Email: GMuirhead@sd85.bc.ca

Tel. 250-956-3394

WEBSITE: gregmuirhead.weebly.com
SEMESTER: 2 YEAR: 2016
Date of Distribution: February 1st, 2016
Grade Level of Course: 11/12
Link to the IRP: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/pdfs/applied_skills/2006pg_tourism1112.pdf
Learning Resources: Text: Tourism and Travel : Focus Canada
On line: 1.Cultural and Heritage Tourism A Handbook for Community Champions

http://linkbc.ca/siteFiles/85/files/LinkBC_CHT.pdf
2. Transforming Communities Through Tourism

http://linkbc.ca/siteFiles/85/files/TCTT.pdf
3. The Orange Book of Success (Students)

http://linkbc.ca/siteFiles/85/files/OrangeBookForStudents2.pdf
Special Training, Facilities or Equipment Required:
Rationale:
The tourism industry in BC is expected to experience a profound shortage of qualified employees. It is expected that this
shortfall will occur across all five recognized sectors of the tourism industry. The five recognized sectors of tourism are:
Accommodations, Recreation & Entertainment, Food & Beverage Services, Travel Services and Transportation. This
shortfall will create a need for workers with an extremely diverse range of skills, knowledge and aptitudes. This shortfall
also will be distributed throughout the province, and it will be most keenly felt at the supervisory and management levels
where training, education and experience are most important.
This course is designed to allow students to realize the career possibilities involved in tourism at a local level as well as on
a larger provincial and world level.
Course Synopsis:
Students will acquire and practice increasingly advanced tourism-related skills. They will examine current trends in tourism
and evaluate the impact of these trends; as well as recognize the impact of tourism on economic, cultural and social
contexts of a country. They will understand and use tourism terminology as they work co operatively in teams and
develop presentation and hosting skills. Students will explore numerous career opportunities in the tourism industry and
will have the opportunity to earn a WorldHost certificate which will enhance their employability skills.

Organizational Structure:
The course is designed into four units: Introduction to tourism, Positive attitudes of the tourism professional, Transferable
skills of the tourism professional, Preparing to succeed in the tourism industry.
Unit/Topic/Module Descriptions:

(Indicate the number of weeks of instruction that will be spent on each unit/topic)

Unit 1: Introduction to Tourism 5 weeks

It is expected that students will be able to:
1) Describe the tourism industry,
2) Classify the components of the five industries of the tourism sector,
3) Explain and describe the importance of tourism and compare the BC tourism regions.
Unit 2: Positive Attitudes of the Tourism Professional 6 weeks
It is expected that students will: analyse the components of a positive attitude and its relevance to the tourism sector.
Explain what is meant by responsibility and adaptability in the tourism workplace. Evaluate what is meant by continuous
learning and its importance to the tourism sector. Describe what the desire to provide quality service to customers means
as they identify the features of good customer service. Follow the steps in handling a customer concern, complaint and
handling abusive customers. Students will have the opportunity to earn a WorldHost certificate in this unit.
Unit 3: Transferable Skills of the Tourism Professional 5weeks
It is expected that students will: Demonstrate principles of effective communication required in the tourism sector. Develop
computer and other technology skills required in the tourism sector. Gather information appropriate to providing quality
service, organize and store information collected for future reference. Students will discuss how decision making and
problem solving occur in the tourism workplace and explain how a workplace problem can be solved. Demonstrate the
skills and attributes required to function as part of a team and assess their ability to work with others and the teams
effectiveness.
Unit 4: Preparing to succeed in the Tourism Industry 4 weeks
It is expected that students will: Analyse the skills, education, and experience needed to succeed in the tourism sector.
Chart a career path in one tourism industry. Use a portfolio to document the skills required of a tourism professional that
they have demonstrated in school, community, or workplace setting.
Instructional Component:
The course will be delivered in the classroom through a series of lessons and exercises as well as in the field. Students
will have a chance to participate in field trips that expose them to the local tourism industry of the North Island.

Assessment Component:
A variety of tools will be used to assess and evaluate student progress including tests/quizzes, written assignments,
projects both individual and group, fieldtrips and Best Super-Hosts.
Tests/quizzes
Written Assignments
Projects
Fieldtrips

25%
20%
40%
15%
Total 100%