Sustainable Tourism: Rethinking the future from edX

Sustainable tourism development put into practiceIn this course you will be teamed up and challenged to apply your argumentation skills to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments. For example:

Sociology: how is tourism organised (laws/regulations)?Psychology: what effects how tourists experience tourism (COVID 19?!)Geography: what does tourism development mean for a particular location?

Learn of and work on promising and new tourism developments, such as Van Life and voluntourism and other inspiring changes observed in the tourism industry. Recognize and co-create future narratives as a tool to compose new business cases and/or project proposals in your professional context. Implement these perspectives to a tourism practice of your choice, and share your insights through regular feedback with experts and other participants in this course.

Debates on sustainable tourism developmentSustainable alternatives can only become real if we allow for an open space for continuous discussion and representation of new ideas. That's why this MOOC offers a platform for ongoing discussions of tourism developments, where you are encouraged to engage in meaningful debates on these innovative developments as they appear, during the course as well as after completion.

The effects of Corona virus on the tourism industryThere is no doubt that tourism has been greatly affected by the Corona pandemic. With the upcoming attempt to rebound post-Corona, the industry faces a choice: back to business-as-usual or re-invention toward more sustainable practices, such as ecotourism? But also, how has Corona effected tourists? We will discuss all related questions throughout our tourism courses.

For whomWhether you work in tourism, are a tourism related business owner or a fervent traveller, join us for this MOOC as we apply science to a broad array types of tourism. Then come up with your very own to help drive sustainability in tourism. Subscribe now!

Professional Certificate Programme

This online course is part of the Professional Certificate Programme Tourism in Transition: Exploring a Sustainable Future, along with the MOOCs: Sustainable Tourism: Society & Environmental Aspects and Tourism and Climate Change.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to implement insights from various tourism disciplinestocurrent developments in the tourism industry
Become familiar with, and share, inspiring tourism developments across the world
Recognize and co-create future narratives as a tool to compose new business cases and/or project proposals in your professional context

Ways to become part of ongoing dialogues on developments for the future of tourism
How the tourism industry is being affected by the covid-19 corona virus outbreak.

How to implement insights from various tourism disciplinestocurrent developments in the tourism industry
Become familiar with, and share, inspiring tourism developments across the world
Recognize and co-create future narratives as a tool to compose new business cases and/or project proposals in your professional context
Ways to become part of ongoing dialogues on developments for the future of tourism
How the tourism industry is being affected by the covid-19 corona virus outbreak.

Syllabus

Module 1: Tourism Studies and Development

In module 1, you will learn more about the cases from which we will depart in this course. Each case represents a unique setting in which tourism develops one way or another. As situational these cases appear, they may well connect with other practices that you are familiar with or have a special interest in. It is also possible to come up with your own case and find collaborators (other learners) who wish to join you in the exploration of this case. We very much welcome your creativity in outlining a case that is of interest to you!

If you are eager to move forward and engage in a dialogue on these cases, you must enrol as a verified learner. As a verified learner, you are given access to your own team environment but also to previous ideas developed in this course. You can work with other international team members on a case of your choice, share inspiring solutions to problems addressed, participate in (optional) fieldwork and engage in analyses corresponding to modules 2-4.

Module 2: Psychology of Tourism

In module 2, you will get an overview of the psychology of tourism and explain tourist experiences before, during and after holiday trips.

Module 3: Sociology of Tourism

In module 3, you will get an overview of the sociology of tourism, and learn how to explore the policy environment of any tourism case.

Module 4: Geography of Tourism

In module 4, you will get an overview of the geography of tourism, and learn how to explore the politics of place making and objects in tourism contexts.

Wrapping Up and Looking Forward

In module 5, we will invite you and your team members to present your group findings to all learners of this course. As such, you can possibly become inspired with the work of other learners in this course and gain final feedback to improve your final team vision.

Finally, verified learners can complete this course by filing a personal report in which you reflect on the team process and outcomes individually.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides up-to-date information on tourism's challenges and innovations, which is standard in the industry

Examines various aspects of tourism, including its social, environmental, and economic impacts, which is highly relevant to sustainability

Develops a comprehensive understanding of tourism, which is a core skill for professionals in the field

Taught by experts in the field of tourism, who are recognized for their work in this area

Offers a flexible learning format with verified and non-verified options, which caters to different learning needs

Reviews summary

Sustainable tourism: rethinking the future

Learners largely agree the "Sustainable Tourism: Rethinking the Future" course provides engaging lectures, relevant assignments, and well-explained readings. Many emphasize how the coursework expanded their understanding of sustainable tourism. Although most recommend the course, some note that the difficulty and teamwork requirements may not be appropriate for everyone.

The course emphasizes the importance of responsible tourism practices.

"I also like the more ethical approach to tourism development."

Videos, clear examples, and relevant discussions make this course easy to follow and memorable.

"Really easy to follow and engaging."

"Loved the videos and how the professor kept me engaged throughout the course."

"Great video's."

"Interesting assignment to start studying and working in tourism."

Some learners found the course instructions or requirements to be unclear or difficult to follow.

"It was great to have an opportunity to learn in this way! Only tip will that sometimes it was a bit unclear what I had to do/submit and where (verified learner)"

The course may not provide enough practical or hands-on training for some learners.

"I have expected this course to be less theoretical and with more tourism planning information."

Working in groups can be challenging due to time zones and coordinating with diverse schedules.

"I think it is a good course, but you do not must accept people out of date since most of the work is team made."

"Notice that it involves group work, which I thought was not so convienent because of different time zones and big groups (15 people)."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sustainable Tourism: Rethinking the future with these activities:

Design a Sustainable Tourism Proposal

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Develop your own innovative ideas for sustainable tourism.

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Identify a specific tourism destination.
Research sustainable practices applicable to the destination.
Draft a proposal outlining your plan.

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Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Tourism: Rethinking the future will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Tourism Developer

Tourism developers develop and manage tourism projects. This course may be useful for tourism developers who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tourism Developer

Hospitality Manager

Hospitality managers oversee the operations of hotels, resorts, and other hospitality businesses. This course may be useful for hospitality managers who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hospitality Manager

Tour Operator

Tour operators plan and sell tours to tourists. This course may be useful for tour operators who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tour Operator

Tourism Planner

Tourism planners develop and implement plans for the development and management of tourism destinations. This course may be useful for tourism planners who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tourism Planner

Public relations manager

Public relations managers manage the public relations of businesses and organizations. This course may be useful for public relations managers who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability consultants help businesses and organizations develop and implement sustainable practices. By learning how to recognize and co-create future narratives, as well as how to compose new business cases and project proposals, this course may be useful for sustainability consultants who want to help drive sustainability in tourism.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers develop and implement marketing campaigns for businesses and organizations. This course may be useful for marketing managers who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sociologist

Sociologists study human society and its interactions. This course may be useful for sociologists who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

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Geographer

Geographers study the Earth's surface and its features. This course may be useful for geographers who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

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Travel Writer

Travel writers write about travel destinations and experiences. This course may be useful for travel writers who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Travel Writer

Event Planner

Event planners plan and coordinate events, such as conferences, weddings, and parties. This course may be useful for event planners who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

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Policy Analyst

Policy analysts research and analyze public policy issues. This course may be useful for policy analysts who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

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Urban Planner

Urban planners develop and implement plans for the development and management of urban areas. This course may be useful for urban planners who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists study the environment and its components. This course may be useful for environmental scientists who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments, as well as how to recognize and co-create future narratives.

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Researcher

A researcher helps build a foundation for a sustainable tourism industry by studying its potential effects on the environment, economy, and society. This course may be useful for researchers who want to learn how to implement insights from various tourism disciplines and different social science perspectives to current tourism developments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher