Tourism and societal crises

The course treats tourism as a system and the hospitality industry in relation to various societal crises, providing an understanding of how tourism affects and is affected by crises, but also the role of tourism in society during and after a crisis. Different types of societal crises are covered, such as natural disasters, accidents related to human activity, economic crises, terrorism and war, epidemics and pandemics, and climate-related crises, in terms of their influence on and significance for tourism. The concept resilience is introduced as a theoretical apparatus in relation to tourism and societal crises from the perspectives of individuals, organisations, and destinations. Students study models for crisis management and crisis communication, how planning and long-term strategies can prevent future crises and promote sustainable tourism in a rapidly changing world, and the crisis-related behaviour and actions of specific actors such as tourists and private and public parties. There is an emphasis on the question of how crisis management and crisis communication can be organised to include tourists and tourism. Instruction is in the form of lectures, seminars, workshops, and projects.