A Curriculum Framework for Undergraduate Coastal and Marine Tourism University Programs

Abstract

Coastal and marine tourism is one of the fastest growing subsectors of the tourism industry and the workforce needs to be equipped to be able to work in this industry. There is a lack of importance placed on coastal and marine tourism curricula and a focused curriculum framework would provide a guideline for future course development for the industry. The purpose of this article is to present a curriculum framework for undergraduate coastal and marine tourism university programs. Data were collected in the South African context through a mixed methods approach with a multiphase design whereby qualitative data were first collected through content analysis, followed by quantitative data collected through questionnaires, and the third phase included qualitative data collected through semistructured interviews. The study found a variety of both soft and physical skills that are applicable to the coastal and marine tourism environment. Specific teaching and assessment methods that would be more applicable to the industry are also identified. Coastal and marine tourism curricula will have to be all-encompassing yet industry focused.