Semester 2 

Tourism can only exist in the long terms upon a resource base which is maintained for the future.  Yet the industry also faces short-term demands for profits in a dynamic and challenging market.  Further, the tourism industry has a potentially strong contribution to make towards the sustainable development of destinations.  Managing a company, a destination and an industry sustainably presents the tourism manager with a range of conflicts that must be addressed. 

Business of Tourism 

This module investigates the evolution, growth and future of sustainable tourism from a range of perspectives.  It explores the origins, definitions and concepts of sustainable development, considers the relationship between the visitor, host community and natural/physical environment and analyses techniques and strategies to manage the economic, environmental and socio-cultural impacts of tourism. 

On successfully completing this module, students will be able to: 
·               Discuss the complex relationship between sustainable development and sustainable tourism. (K) 
·               Evaluate the range of techniques to control and manage the range of impacts of tourism. (K,P) 
·               Consider the challenge of a more sustainable industry from a range of perspectives. (K,C,T) 
·               Apply this knowledge to a live situation and discuss the limitations of achieving a more sustainable industry. (C,T) 

Indicative Content 
·               Sustainable Development – setting the developmental context 
·               Tourism’s link with sustainable development 
·               Theories of sustainable tourism 
·               Implementing sustainable tourism 
·               Need for monitoring and indicators 
·               Industry perspective 
·               NGO perspective 
·               Resident perspective 
·               Government perspective 
·               Consumer perspective 
·               Example of current sustainable tourism initiatives via field trip and guest lectures 
·               Field trip/excursions to local ST destinations 

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to explore the challenges faced in managing the tourism industry sustainably for the future. 
The teaching and learning methods include lectures from those with a range of specialisms, designed to provide a framework of knowledge.  In-class exercises, a field trip, case studies and discussions that will be designed to highlight the issues and allow the students to challenge these.  Visiting speakers will ensure students appreciate the relevance of the material to the current industry. 
The assessment methods include; 
·               Individual essay (2000 words) to examine the theoretical considerations of the link between sustainable tourism and sustainable development. 
·               Group essay.  You will be in groups of 4 to provide an analysis of the sustainability of a destination.  You will not be provided with a destination and so will need to identify an appropriate context for your study.  As a group, you will be required to produce a 6000 word report by the assessment deadline. The coursework is designed to test your ability to apply theory to a practical situation and develop appropriate solutions to problems identified. 
·               Reflective essay of 750 words on what the students have learned throughout the module and how this can be applied to the practical world of managing tourism sustainably. 
Assessment strategy: 
The assessment strategy is designed to allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of the context of sustainable tourism and the extent to which they have been able to evaluate the considerable challenges 

Essential Reading 
Miller, G. and Twining-Ward, L. (2005) Monitoring for a sustainable tourism transition: The challenge of developing and using indicators.  Wallingford : CAB International. 
Recommended Reading 
Holden, A. (2001) Environment and Tourism.  London : Routledge. 
Hunter, C. (1995) “On the Need to Re-conceptualise Sustainable Tourism Development”, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 3(3), pp.155-165.
Hunter, C. (1997) “Sustainable Tourism as an Adaptive Paradigm”, Annals of Tourism Research, 24(4), pp.850-867. 
Lew, A. Sustainable Tourism: A Geographical Perspective.  Harlow, Longman, pp25-34. 
Mowforth, M. and Munt, I. (1998) Tourism and Sustainability: New Tourism in the Third World .  Routledge, London . 
Background Reading 
Annals of Tourism Research 
Journal of Sustainable Tourism 
www.worldtourismdirectory.com