Innovation is regarded as key for the development of tourism enterprises, destinations and the tourism sector in general. Innovative activities and practices are important for economic reasons, such as profit maximisation, and are also motivated by the goal of meeting social needs. As such, innovations are vital to deal with changes in the social and economic business environment in tourism.   

This module provides students with an understanding of the importance and the dynamic nature of innovation in tourism. It involves a critical reflection on contemporary strategies, concepts, ideas and organisations that currently shape tourism practices. The course also deals with the factors that facilitate, or on the contrary, inhibit innovation in tourism. In addition, future trends in tourism innovation are explored and critically examined. 

As innovation is not unique to the ‘for-profit’ sector, non-profit organisations as well as policy and governmental actions play a crucial role, making the course relevant to all students regardless of their career aspirations. 

*** Please note that module availability is determined by the Postgraduate Programmes Board and depends on demand and resources available. *** 

The module aims to enable students to:  

·        develop a critical appreciation of the nature, role and importance of innovation in tourism, drawing on a variety of perspectives  

·        critically discuss the facilitators of and inhibitors to innovation   

·        identify different organisations and sectors contributing to innovation in tourism  

·        critically investigate contemporary strategies, concepts and ideas related to innovation 

·        critically evaluate the influences of specfic tourism innovations on both the demand and supply side of tourism  

·        critically explore future trends in tourism innovation  

The examination and analysis of innovation in tourism from different standpoints will shape students’ understanding of the factors crucial to deal with changes in the social and economic business environment in tourism. Students will be able to use the acquired knowledge to critically evaluate key trends and challenges and by presenting these in appropriate forums, they will enhance their presentation, communication and argumentation skills. 

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:  

·        Discuss the underlying principles and perspectives in innovation in tourism
(K, C) 
·        Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of the different stakeholders involved in innovation (K, C) 
·        Critically evaluate the techniques that can be used to facilitate and implement innovation (K,P) 
·        Critically assess the dynamics of innovation in tourism and examine barriers to innovation (C, P) 
·        Critically evaluate new trends and future challenges for innovation in tourism (C, P) 
·        Develop practical skills in the critical analysis of secondary data and formally presenting findings (P, T) 
·        Develop creative thinking and competencies (T, P) 

Key: 

• C - Cognitive/Analytical  
• K - Subject Knowledge  
• T - Transferable Skills  
• P - Professional/ Practical skills  

Indicative content includes:  

• The Role, Nature and Importance of Innovation in Tourism  
• Product and Service Innovation in Tourism  
• Design/ Architectural Innovation in Tourism 
• Innovation in Tourism Marketing  
• Technological Innovation in Tourism  
• Niches and Innovation in Tourism  
• Events and Innovation in Tourism  
• Policy and Innovation in Tourism  
• Trends and Challenges for Innovation in Tourism  

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to:     

• increase students’ critical understanding of the nature and dynamics of innovation    
• enhance students’ ability to assess the roles of different stakeholders involved    and the influences on innovation  
• increase students’ ability to critically reflect on the implications of innovation   
• enhance the competence of students in communicating and discussing ideas  
• increase students’ ability to work independently and in groups    

•    theoretical lectures with supporting materials from a range of perspectives within innovation in tourism to provide students with a holistic framework of knowledge  

• group work: in-class exercises, practical examples and topical case studies to critically discuss and apply theoretical knowledge to the real world  
• supporting guest lecture sessions  
• individual presentations to provide students with the opportunity to critically examine latest developments, display their thoughts and be able to discuss these in appropriate forums  
• formative feedback sessions   

Expected Purchase  

• None  

• Archibugi, D., Howells, J., & Michie, J. (Eds.) (1999). Innovation policies in a global economy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.  
• Evangelista, R. (1999). Knowledge and investment. The sources of innovation in industry. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. 
• Faulkner B., Moscardo G., Laws E., (2001), Tourism in the 21st Century, New York : Continuum  
• Hall , C . M . and Williams , A . M . (2008) , Tourism and Innovation , London : Routledge.  
• Novelli, M. (2006) Niche Tourism: Contemporary Issues, Trends and Cases, Oxford : Butterworth-Heinemann.  

• Cohen, W. (1995). Empirical studies of innovative activity. In P. Stoneman (Ed.), Handbook of the economics of innovation and technological change (pp. 182–264). Oxford : Blackwell.  
• Edquist, C., & Hommen, L. (2000). Public technology procurement and innovation theory. In C. Edquist, H. Leif, & T. Lena (Eds.), Public technology procurement and innovation (pp. 5–70). Boston : Kluwer Academic Publishers.  
• Freeman, C., Sharp, M., & Walter, W. (Eds.) (1991) Technology and the future of Europe . London  
• Frenkel, A., & Shefer, D. (1997). Technological innovation and diffusion models: a review. In C. S. Bertuglia, L. Silvana, & N. Peter (Eds.), Innovative behaviour in time and space (pp. 41–63). Berlin : Springer.  
• Nelson, R. R. (1993). National innovation systems. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press.  
• Rogers, E. (1983). Diffusion of innovation (3rd ed.). New York : The Free Press.  

Academic Journals:  

Annals of Tourism Research 

Tourism Management  

International Journal of Tourism Research  

Tourism and Hospitality Research  

Topic-specific reading lists are provided with each lecture.