Sustainable Tourism: Society & Environmental Aspects

This module introduces the fundamental concept of tourism and approaches to studying it from a social sciences perspective. Students will explore the definition and scope of tourism as a complex social and environmental phenomenon, developing a foundation for critical analysis. The module establishes the framework for understanding tourism beyond its economic aspects, considering its multifaceted impacts on society and natural environments.

This module explores the historical evolution of global tourism, tracing its origins and development through time. Students will examine how contemporary tourism practices emerged from earlier travel traditions, economic changes, and social developments. The module provides essential historical context for understanding current tourism patterns, helping students recognize how past developments continue to influence modern tourism practices and infrastructure.

This module examines various social science approaches to studying tourism, including behavioral, cultural, and critical perspectives. Students will learn how different academic lenses reveal distinct aspects of tourism phenomena and lead to varied observations and conclusions. The module helps students understand the value of interdisciplinary approaches in comprehensively analyzing tourism's complex dynamics and impacts across different contexts.

This module introduces essential theoretical concepts used in tourism studies and examines how global tourism developments interconnect with broader international flows of people, goods, technology, information, and capital. Students will gain insight into how tourism both shapes and is shaped by globalization processes, learning to recognize tourism as part of complex global systems rather than as an isolated industry or activity.

This module explores the primary economic, socio-cultural, and environmental interactions and impacts generated by tourism activities. Students will examine both positive and negative consequences of tourism development on natural resources, cultural heritage, local economies, and community structures. The module emphasizes the importance of recognizing these diverse impacts when developing and implementing tourism policies and practices across different destinations.

This culminating module focuses on integrating knowledge from previous modules to formulate coherent arguments about tourism development. Students will finalize their own position on a tourism development of their choice, drawing on concepts, theories, and observations explored throughout the course. The module also introduces the science of sustainable tourism, preparing students to apply critical thinking to future tourism challenges and opportunities.