GEO-31806 Leisure, Tourism and Environment: Sustainable Development

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

GEO-10806 Introduction Leisure, Tourism and Environment; GEO-30306 Leisure, Tourism and Environment: Concepts and Approaches.

Contents:

Since Rio '92 leisure and tourism are trying to meet the parameters of sustainable development. Sustainable development of leisure and tourism requires innovation on a conceptual, process and product level. This course analyses and critically reflects on the role of governmental, business and 'third sector' organisations in this innovation process towards sustainable development. The course focuses on discourses, practices and instruments of actors at various levels of scale (international, national as well as regional and local) and examines the relation between tourism, conservation and development from a variety of theoretical perspectives. By the end of this course, students will have addressed how the relation between tourism and sustainable development is conceptualized and studied and will be able to:
- critically reflect on sustainable tourism practices of tourism businesses, NGO's and governmental organizations;
- make an informed choice how to study tourism and sustainable development making use of particular theoretical frameworks and approaches.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- make an informed choice how to study tourism and sustainable development making use of particular theoretical frameworks and approaches;
- analyse and discuss the relations between tourism and sustainable development;
- critically evaluate the central concepts sustainability, development, conservation, and corporate social responsibility in order to specify a problem definition;
- explain development and conservation paradigms in a historical perspective and relate these paradigms to tourism development;
- compare and evaluate the roles of governmental, business and third sector organizations in the pursuit for sustainable tourism development;
- compose and defend a project to substantiate the development of a creative and innovative idea for sustainable development of leisure and tourism;
- indicate and appraise the role of sustainability in the students' future scientific and professional career.

Activities:

- lectures;
- work group sessions;
- case studies.

Examination:

- written exam (60%);
- group assignment and presentation (40%).

Literature:

Reader with core literature.
Course outline available.