Sustainable Tourism – promoting environmental public health

University of Copenhagen

About this Course

38,102 recent views

The MOOC introduces learners to key environmental health and natural resources management challenges associated with the rapid growth in international tourist arrivals into low-income countries. Since infrastructural and regulatory capacities in such countries are often limited they are more exposed to the negative implications of such development. The MOOC will present experiences and potential avenues to develop a more sustainable form of tourism.
The Course particularly focuses on the problems and potentials of tourism development in small island states in tropical and sub-tropical settings and highlights the challenges of such development on vulnerable ecosystems. It also highlights how tourism development in Zanzibar results in increased pressure on its marine environment, solid waste management, water resources and control of mosquitoes.  These factors will be used as tracers of impacts and areas for future improvement towards a more sustainable form of tourism.

The Course topics also relate to a number of targets under the global Sustainable Development Goals connected especially to Goals 3: “good health and well-being”, 6: “clean water and sanitation”, 14: “life below water” and 17: “partnerships”.  Thus, the Course is a continuation of the efforts and discussions raised as part of the 2017 international year of sustainable tourism. 

A diversity of perspectives and areas of expertise will be presented by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, State University of Zanzibar, representatives from the hotel sector and international experts in specific areas of sustainable tourism.

Learner Career Outcomes

30%

started a new career after completing these courses

46%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

40%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 14 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, Danish, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.77/5 (260 Ratings)

Flemming Konradsen

Professor, Director

Copenhagen School of Global Health

43,623 Learners

2 Courses

Learner Career Outcomes

30%

started a new career after completing these courses

46%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

40%

got a pay increase or promotion

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 14 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, Danish, English, Spanish

Offered by

University of Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen is the oldest University in Denmark - founded in 1479, and with over 38,000 students and more than 9,000 employees. The purpose of the University is to conduct research and provide education to the highest academic level. Based in Denmark's capital city it is one of the top research institutions in Europe.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating95%(2,708 ratings)

Week

Week 1

5 hours to complete

Tourism and the global sustainability agenda

This module will present the global trends in tourism and its social and environmental impacts. Policies and strategies aimed at developing a more sustainable form of tourism in low-income countries will be discussed, including the role of sustainability certification systems for hotels and destinations. The importance of tourism to Zanzibar and the environmental health impacts associated with the tourist sector on Zanzibar will be highlighted.

5 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 60 min), 9 readings, 4 quizzes

5 videos

Tourism impact on the environment on Zanzibar14m

Global trends in tourism4m

Tourism and the global sustainability agenda12m

The impacts of tourism on local communities13m

International hotel certifications15m

9 readings

Optional reading15m

Mandatory reading10m

Optional reading20m

Mandatory reading20m

Optional reading10m

Mandatory reading10m

Optional reading15m

Mandatory reading10m

Optional reading10m

4 practice exercises

Global trends in tourism30m

Tourism and the global sustainability agenda10m

The impacts of tourism on local communities30m

International hotel certifications30m

Week

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Tourism - a major consumer of freshwater and producer of waste water

This module will highlight the role of hotels, in low-income countries in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, as significant consumers of freshwater and producers of wastewater. The module will discuss the impacts this may have on the health of the marine ecosystem and the management of the freshwater resources, especially the problem of saltwater intrusion. Zanzibar will be used as a case. The potential of introducing new policies, technologies and management approaches in support of a more sustainable management of water resources will be discussed.

4 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 44 min), 8 readings, 4 quizzes

4 videos

Impacts of tourism and human activity on the marine environment15m

Tourism development and the health of coral reefs6m

Tourism and freshwater demands12m

Saltwater intrusion and the impact upon freshwater supplies9m

8 readings

Mandatory reading10m

Optional reading10m

Mandatory reading10m

Optional reading10m

Mandatory reading10m

Optional reading10m

Mandatory reading10m

Optional reading10m

4 practice exercises

Impacts of tourism and human activity on the marine environment30m

Tourism development and the health of coral reefs30m

Tourism and freshwater demands30m

Saltwater intrusion and the impact upon freshwater supplies30m

Week

Week 3

5 hours to complete

Promoting the environment

The general challenges of managing solid waste generation by the tourist sector will be highlighted and examples provided to explain the scope of the problem. The extent and nature of the obstacles associated with poor solid waste management linked to the tourist sector on Zanzibar will be discussed focusing on the environmental health impacts of waste generation. Policies and private sector initiatives taken to improve waste management will be presented. In particular, environmental management interventions aimed at mosquito control at resorts will be highlighted as an example of how to develop a more sustainable tourist sector.

5 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 52 min), 9 readings, 4 quizzes

5 videos

Tourism - a major generator of solid waste5m

Solid waste management on Zanzibar11m

Control of mosquitoes at tourist destinations11m

The way forward10m

The impact of COVID-19 on the tourism in Zanzibar12m

9 readings

Mandatory reading10m

Optional reading10m

Mandatory reading10m

Optional reading10m

Mandatory reading10m

Optional reading10m

Mandatory reading10m

Optional reading10m

Restarting tourism after COVID1910m

4 practice exercises

Tourism - a major generator of solid waste30m

Solid waste management on Zanzibar30m

Control of mosquitoes at tourist destinations30m

The way forward30m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Sustainable Tourism – promoting environmental public health