2010 HSC Notes from the Marking Centre — Tourism and Events
Contents
Introduction
This document has been produced for the teachers and candidates of the Stage 6 course in Tourism and Events. It contains comments on candidate responses to the 2010 Higher School Certificate examination, indicating the quality of the responses and highlighting their relative strengths and weaknesses.
This document should be read along with the relevant syllabus, the 2010 Higher School Certificate examination, the marking guidelines and other support documents which have been developed by the Board of Studies to assist in the teaching and learning of Tourism and Events.
Teachers and candidates are reminded that candidates undertaking the 240-hour VET Industry Curriculum Framework in Tourism and Events and wanting to undertake the HSC examination in Tourism and Events need to be entered separately for the examination through Schools Online (Administration) by the due date that is published in the Higher School Certificate Events Timetable.
General comments
Teachers and candidates should be aware that examiners may ask questions that address the syllabus outcomes in a manner that requires candidates to respond by integrating their knowledge, understanding and skills developed through studying the course.
Candidates need to be aware that the marks allocated to the question and the answer space (where this is provided on the examination paper) are guides to the length of the required response. A longer response will not in itself lead to higher marks. Writing in excess of the space allocated may reduce the time available for answering other questions.
Candidates need to be familiar with the Board's Glossary of Key Words which contains some terms commonly used in examination questions. However, candidates should also be aware that not all questions will start with, or contain, any key word from the glossary. Questions such as 'how?', 'why?' or 'to what extent?' may be asked, and verbs which are not included in the glossary may be used, such as 'design', 'translate' or 'list'.
Section II
Question 16
Better responses provided a range of activities to foster an understanding of multiculturalism in the workplace. These activities were supported with sound understanding of the requirements of benefits of a multicultural workplace. These candidates also linked legal issues such as antidiscrimination and EEO.
The weaker responses paraphrased the question, listed some activities or just stated why it was important to be tolerant of each other's culture.
Question 17
Better responses clarified the role of at least three sectors. They explained their roles and gave appropriate examples. Candidates displayed extensive knowledge about the Tour Wholesalers and Retail Travel Agents Sectors.
Weaker responses demonstrated confusion with the 'role' of the sectors. They briefly mentioned the role of various people working in the sectors or outlined one of the sectors and its role. The Meetings and Events sector was the sector that candidates knew least about.
Better responses demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the Attractions and Theme Parks and Retail Travel Agents sectors and their interrelationships, using appropriate examples. Many candidates also showed a sound understanding of Tour Wholesaler links, but had difficulty linking and giving appropriate examples for the Meetings and Events sector.
Weaker responses displayed a limited understanding of the sectors and their interrelationships, their roles and functions within the tourism industry.
Question 18
Better responses made an extensive range of amendments to the itinerary so that it met industry standards. They provided amendments such as including the omitted days, correcting the number of nights' accommodation required and providing departure/arrival times.
Most candidates made general amendments, eg providing the missing days and times.
Weaker responses either made a limited number of changes, or made a list of some of the required changes without making the correct change. Often, other candidates often repeated the correction, focusing on formatting the itinerary or correcting basic punctuation only.
Question 19
Better responses described a wide range of effective methods in establishing and building rapport with clients and also demonstrated a thorough understanding of the benefits of building rapport by giving appropriate examples and linking them to typical scenarios in the tourism industry.
Some responses described methods to be used to establish rapport but did not describe the benefits of building rapport. Others listed benefits of building rapport, but did not describe the methods.
Weaker responses demonstrated a basic understanding of rapport, emphasising either professional dress or methods of communication. These responses included smiling, eye contact, clean uniform and hair. They did not demonstrate a clear understanding of the benefits of building rapport or methods used to realise them.
Question 20
Better responses identified TWO classification systems such as chronological, numerical, and geographical.
Weaker responses mentioned electronic and hard copies. Some candidates listed only one.
- Better responses provided reasons for using each of the filing systems they had previously identified (or other correct systems). These candidates also related these filing systems to tourism or events businesses.
Weaker responses made generalised statements such as 'the need to back up'. Other candidates could only provide reasons for one filing system, not two as required.
Question 21
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Better responses identified client types suited to each island.
Weaker responses provided generic client types, not specific clients suited to each island.
Better responses named specific activities available on each island, not just generic activities available on all islands.
Weaker responses gave limited generic activities for both islands. These included beach, resting, swimming, eating and sunbaking.
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Better responses named the correct gateway or access point to each island.
Weaker responses named a number of access points along the coast of Queensland, that were not correct. Other candidates did not name any access point.
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Better responses outlined health and safety risks specifically related to North Queensland.
Weaker responses listed or made general statements that could have related to any place in Australia. Other candidates gave examples specific to Hayman and Fraser Islands.
Section III
Question 22
Better responses displayed a broad understanding of environmental impacts and identified a diverse range of strategies to promote sustainable work practices, linking them to the effects on future generations. They supported their response with a wide range of appropriate examples.
Some candidates demonstrated a sound understanding of environmental impacts, but could only identify a few strategies to promote sustainable work practices. These candidates displayed a reasonable understanding of ecotourism and the implications of promoting sustainable work practices.
Weaker responses displayed limited understanding of ecotourism. These candidates identified only basic or limited strategies, giving no examples, or examples that were not relevant.
Section IV
Question 23
In better responses, candidates recognised and named a variety of appropriate event stakeholders. They included community-based stakeholders such as the Chamber of Commerce, council, local radio station, police and other emergency services. These candidates also showed that they understood the difference between 'host organisation' and 'host community'.
The weaker responses listed a selection of stakeholders that were not always appropriate for a community event, or else they indentified a limited number of stakeholders suitable for this type of event.
Better responses demonstrated clearly a broad knowledge of the benefits to the stakeholders personally and the benefits to the event. They made reference to appropriate community benefits and provided examples such as pride, awareness of community issues, multiplier effect, showcase skills, networking, and atmosphere.
Some responses demonstrated sound knowledge of the benefits to the stakeholders – financial gain, exposure and awareness. However, these responses made little reference to the event itself, making only generalised statements about the event.
The weaker responses described the stakeholders and did not point out the benefits to stakeholders or the event. Other responses displayed little understanding of a stakeholder.
Question 24
In better responses, candidates described specific features of a cruise brochure, using terminology such as cabins and deck plans.
Some responses described features found in brochures such as a number of pools, themed nights and cinemas.
Weaker responses were very general in nature and listed features which could relate to any travel brochure.
Better responses used correct selling terminology and combined this with sound customer service steps when using the brochure during consultation. These included personalising the brochure, reading upside down and reinforcing the content.
Some responses were focused on the steps required to make a sale without making specific reference to a cruise product or the brochure during consultation.
Weaker responses focused on eye contact and basic communication and telling customers how great the cruise would be in order to achieve a sale.
20110116
NSW Government