A group of Charles Sturt University (CSU) students saw theory in practice as part of their studies late last year when they visited Fiji to assess eco-tourism businesses run on the islands.

 

The 12-day excursion to the Yasawa Islands in western Fiji, which was run as part of the final year of the students’ eco-tourism degree at CSU, looked at three projects run by the ten students and CSU’s ecotourism course coordinator Dr Rik Thwaites.

 

The students investigated a number of eco-tourism businesses based on the islands and how the businesses offer development and employment opportunities for local Fijian communities.

 

 

Specifically, the students assessed the ecological, social and cultural changes caused by the local tourism enterprises, evaluated the voluntary code of conduct used by the businesses and assessed how tourism operators balanced the protection and the use of the environment in their business practice.

 

This was first time overseas for many of the students as Dr Thwaites looked to “internationalise” their learning experience at CSU.

“These small projects aim to teach our students how to plan and do research, to get their their ‘hands dirty’ in practical projects using surveys. The students were also able to see real world issues from a theoretical and practical perspective,” Dr Thwaites said.

 

During their visit, the students stayed with local people in Nacula and Naculuili villages and were treated to a number of cultural experiences, including a traditional Fijian wedding and a Rugby Sevens match complete with coconot palm tree goal posts.

Ecotourism student Tim Benstad, said the trip was an eye-opener, allowing him to put theory into real life sistuations.

 

“We saw how tourism has evolved for the villagers and how they are dealing with western influences and catering to the needs of tourists,” Tim said.

 

“The villagers were very friendly and hospitable, very sociable. I really recommend a trip like this for any student.”

 

Fellow student Lydia Cousins, originally from Melbourne, was similarly moved by the experience, especially in her interaction during interviews with the tourism operators as she tried to “get inside their heads” to understand their motivations.