Introduction to Tourism Studies

This course introduces students to the theories, concepts and principles that underpin tourism as an industry and as a research discipline. The course allows students to gain an understanding of how tourism is integrated into wider society. By way of local and global examples, students will focus on theoretical constructs that illustrate how tourism interacts within the dynamic socio economic environment in which we currently live. With the concept of sustainability as a foundation, the course focuses on the different levels of tourism (local, regional, national and global) and different types of tourism (for example, cultural tourism, dark tourism, indigenous tourism and food tourism). The course considers the challenges and issues facing tourism and emphasises the need for sustainable approaches for the future success of tourism.