The details provided on this site are tentative and subject to change. They are supplied to help give students a good understanding of what is planned for this course.

On this 17-day educational adventure, students will explore the world's largest industry (leisure/travel) in one of the world's most amazing places: New Zealand (known to some as Middle-Earth). Prior to departure, students will participate in learning activities and assignments to become familiar with the leisure/travel industry and prepare for the out-of-country program.

Through in-country experiential learning (and other modes), students will be immersed in the "Recreation, Event, and Tourism industry model." Course destinations, learning activities, and local experts will help teach content while providing a unique chance to experience, firsthand, the innovative aspects of the New Zealand leisure/travel industry and connect academic knowledge to professional practice.

Planned recreational and tourism activities (subject to change) for this program include: surfing, sea kayaking, 'blackwater rafting' and cave exploration, experiencing Maori cultural tourism, visiting filming locations such as Hobbiton from the movies The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, behind the scenes tour at WETA Cave, New Zealand national museum, jet boat ride, Milford Sound tour, and hiking.

Course Topics

• Understanding the connections between Commercial Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality Industries
• The role of airlines in promoting international destinations
• Marketing recreation and tourism opportunities
• Government management strategies for recreation and tourism
• Location-based recreation & tourism (coastal, rural, urban, etc.)
• Activity-specific recreation & tourism (surfing, caving, etc)
• Cultural/indigenous tourism – Maori
• Geothermal tourist attractions
• Film tourism
• Human interactions with wildlife
• Managing environment
• impact on natural areas
• Museums and the tourist experience
• New Zealand innovations in recreation
• Adventure recreation/tourism
• Risk management approaches

Potential Activities

Potential Destinations