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!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

Rethinking sustainable tourism: interdisciplinary & practical

According to students, this course offers a largely positive exploration into sustainable tourism, emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach by integrating insights from psychology, sociology, and geography. Learners appreciate its relevance, particularly in addressing the impact of COVID-19 and focusing on future narratives for business cases. The opportunity to engage in meaningful debates and apply concepts to personal or professional contexts is a key strength. While a team environment and final project are available for verified learners, the foundational modules are valuable for all, making it suitable for both tourism professionals and fervent travelers interested in shaping a sustainable future.

Offers a team-based project and presentation opportunity for verified learners.

"As a verified learner, working in a team on a chosen case was a fantastic way to apply what I learned."

"The group discussions and final presentation component really solidified my understanding of the material."

"I appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with international peers on a specific tourism challenge."

Encourages ongoing discussions on innovative tourism developments.

"The course truly fostered an open space for continuous discussion, which I found very enriching and thought-provoking."

"I enjoyed engaging in meaningful debates on innovative developments in tourism, both during and after the course."

"It's great to be part of a platform that encourages sharing new ideas about tourism's future and challenging the status quo."

Focuses on current challenges and practical tools for business cases.

"The discussions on COVID-19's impact and future trends were extremely timely and relevant to my work."

"I found the exercises on composing new business cases and project proposals directly applicable to my job."

"It provides practical strategies to drive sustainability in the tourism sector, which I can use immediately."

Provides a holistic view of tourism through diverse academic lenses.

"I really valued how the course brought in different fields like psychology and sociology to explain tourism."

"It helped me understand the complexity of tourism development from multiple angles, not just economics."

"The way it connected geography and policy to real-world tourism cases was insightful and refreshing."

Some content is foundational, with deeper engagement tied to verified enrollment.

"While the introductory modules are good for everyone, the real collaborative work and deeper feedback are only for verified learners."

"I felt that some topics could have been explored in more depth, but I understand it covers a lot of ground quickly."

"If you want to engage in team projects or get personal feedback, make sure to enroll as a verified learner; otherwise, it's more self-study."

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.

Show all one activities

Career center

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

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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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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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociologist

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.

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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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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