XTO-11806 Tourism, Principles & Practice

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

This course introduces students to the tourism phenomenon and its many constituent and interrelated components, such as the relation between travelling, tourism, recreation and leisure. Tourism always involves mobility - travelling, but travelling does not always fall into the category of tourism. Holidays are always about recreation, but the purpose of tourism is not always recreational. A common approach to explain and understand the tourism phenomenon is by adopting an economic perspective. This basically implies unravelling tourism into demand and supply. A whole complex of factors underlies the emergence of the specific demand for tourism products. Gaining insight into the demand is essential for suppliers of tourism products who aim to be successful.
Suppliers of tourism products and tourism organizations are referred to by the name 'tourism industry'. Although it is perfectly understandable for people to speak of the 'tourism industry', it is not an adequate term that completely captures the tourism phenomenon. Other complementary perspectives are necessary to fully apprehend tourism. For example a socio-cultural perspective which addresses tourism as a human activity. When adopting this approach, the study of tourism entails the study of human activity and its effects on destinations. By adopting a variety of perspectives this course develops awareness and understanding of the complexity of the tourism phenomenon.

Learning outcomes:

After the course the student is able to:
- define the concepts of tourism, travel, leisure and recreation;
- identify the forces that are set in motion in the economic, cultural, political and geographical environments of tourism;
- apply a systems approach to tourism;
- indentify the determinants of tourism demand;
- analyze the organization of tourism supply (i.e. facilities, attractions, destinations).

Activities:

- lectures;
- tutorials;
- excursions.

Examination:

- written examination with open questions (75%);
- group assignments (25%).

Literature:

- Cooper, C., Fletcher, J., Gilbert, D., Fyall, A., and Wanhill, S. (2008) Tourism Principles and Practice, 4th edition, Pearson, Harlow;
- Reader with examples of research publications.