Elements and Performance Criteria

This unit applies to all sectors of the tourism industry.
Information sources and opportunities to update knowledge may include:
media
reference books
libraries
unions
industry associations and organisations
industry journals
computer data, including Internet
personal observations and experience
industry seminars or training courses
informal networking.
Legal issues which impact on the industry include:
consumer protection
duty of care
equal employment opportunity
anti-discrimination
workplace relations.
child sex tourism.
Ethical issues impacting on the industry may relate to:
confidentiality
commission procedures
overbooking
pricing
tipping
familiarisations
gifts and services free of charge
product recommendations.
Industries other than tourism may include:
hospitality
entertainment
arts
sports
agriculture
conservation
science and research
retail.
Environmental issues may include:
protection of natural and cultural integrity
minimal impact operations
environmental sustainability
waste management
energy-efficient operations
land ownership
land access and usage.
Economic and social issues may include:
employment
effect on local amenities/facilities
population change due to tourism development
community role in tourism.
Issues of concern to the industry may be related to:
government initiatives
emerging markets
environmental and social issues
labour issues
industry expansion or retraction.
This unit applies to all sectors of the tourism industry.
Information sources and opportunities to update knowledge may include:
media
reference books
libraries
unions
industry associations and organisations
industry journals
computer data, including Internet
personal observations and experience
industry seminars or training courses
informal networking.
Legal issues which impact on the industry include:
consumer protection
duty of care
equal employment opportunity
anti-discrimination
workplace relations.
child sex tourism.
Ethical issues impacting on the industry may relate to:
confidentiality
commission procedures
overbooking
pricing
tipping
familiarisations
gifts and services free of charge
product recommendations.
Industries other than tourism may include:
hospitality
entertainment
arts
sports
agriculture
conservation
science and research
retail.
Environmental issues may include:
protection of natural and cultural integrity
minimal impact operations
environmental sustainability
waste management
energy-efficient operations
land ownership
land access and usage.
Economic and social issues may include:
employment
effect on local amenities/facilities
population change due to tourism development
community role in tourism.
Issues of concern to the industry may be related to:
government initiatives
emerging markets
environmental and social issues
labour issues
industry expansion or retraction.

Essential Knowledge and Skills to be Assessed
The following knowledge and skills must be assessed as part of this unit:
different sectors of the tourism industry and their inter-relationships, including a general knowledge of the structure, roles and functions of the following sectors:
accommodation
attractions and theme parks
tour operators
tour wholesalers
retail travel agents
information services and co-ordination sector (local, regional, national)
meetings and events.

major cross-industry and sector-specific organisations.
overview of quality assurance in the tourism industry and the roles and responsibilities of individual staff members in quality assurance.
overview of how to organise time and work in different industry contexts.
tourism industry information sources.
basic research skills:
identification of relevant information
questioning techniques to obtain information
sorting and summarising information.

legislation (both State and Federal) which applies across the industry in the following areas (name, primary objective and impact on individual staff only):
consumer protection
duty of care
equal employment opportunity
anti-discrimination
workplace relations.
child sex tourism

overview of current and emerging technology used across the tourism industry, including e-business.
Linkages to Other Units
This is a core unit that underpins effective performance in all other units and combined training and assessment may be appropriate.
Critical Aspects of Assessment
Evidence of the following is critical:
ability to source industry information
general knowledge of the tourism industry, including main roles, functions and inter-relationships of different sectors, with a more detailed knowledge of issues which relate to a specific sector or workplace.
Context of Assessment and Resource Implications
Assessment must ensure:
project or work activities that allow the candidate to demonstrate the application of knowledge to specific tourism industry contexts and situations.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods must be chosen to ensure that ability to develop and update knowledge 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:
case studies and problem-solving exercises to assess application of knowledge to different situations and contexts
questions to assess knowledge of different aspects of the tourism industry
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:
Deciding whether to join an industry association based on promotional materials (2)
Communicating Ideas and Information
For example:
Liaising with colleagues from other industry sectors to meet a particular customer request (1)
Planning and Organising Activities
For example:
Organising a personal program of professional development activities for the upcoming year (1)
Working with Others and in Teams
For example:
Discussing industry events with colleagues (1)
Using Mathematical Ideas and Techniques
Not Applicable
Solving Problems
For example:
Responding to a situation which involves dealing with a sector of the industry of which you have limited knowledge (1)
Using Technology
For example:
Using the Internet to source information on the tourism industry (1)
Essential Knowledge and Skills to be Assessed
The following knowledge and skills must be assessed as part of this unit:
different sectors of the tourism industry and their inter-relationships, including a general knowledge of the structure, roles and functions of the following sectors:
accommodation
attractions and theme parks
tour operators
tour wholesalers
retail travel agents
information services and co-ordination sector (local, regional, national)
meetings and events.

major cross-industry and sector-specific organisations.
overview of quality assurance in the tourism industry and the roles and responsibilities of individual staff members in quality assurance.
overview of how to organise time and work in different industry contexts.
tourism industry information sources.
basic research skills:
identification of relevant information
questioning techniques to obtain information
sorting and summarising information.

legislation (both State and Federal) which applies across the industry in the following areas (name, primary objective and impact on individual staff only):
consumer protection
duty of care
equal employment opportunity
anti-discrimination
workplace relations.
child sex tourism

overview of current and emerging technology used across the tourism industry, including e-business.
Linkages to Other Units
This is a core unit that underpins effective performance in all other units and combined training and assessment may be appropriate.
Critical Aspects of Assessment
Evidence of the following is critical:
ability to source industry information
general knowledge of the tourism industry, including main roles, functions and inter-relationships of different sectors, with a more detailed knowledge of issues which relate to a specific sector or workplace.
Context of Assessment and Resource Implications
Assessment must ensure:
project or work activities that allow the candidate to demonstrate the application of knowledge to specific tourism industry contexts and situations.
Assessment Methods
Assessment methods must be chosen to ensure that ability to develop and update knowledge 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:
case studies and problem-solving exercises to assess application of knowledge to different situations and contexts
questions to assess knowledge of different aspects of the tourism industry
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:
Deciding whether to join an industry association based on promotional materials (2)
Communicating Ideas and Information
For example:
Liaising with colleagues from other industry sectors to meet a particular customer request (1)
Planning and Organising Activities
For example:
Organising a personal program of professional development activities for the upcoming year (1)
Working with Others and in Teams
For example:
Discussing industry events with colleagues (1)
Using Mathematical Ideas and Techniques
Not Applicable
Solving Problems
For example:
Responding to a situation which involves dealing with a sector of the industry of which you have limited knowledge (1)
Using Technology
For example:
Using the Internet to source information on the tourism industry (1)