We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Jonas Skutka
and
Dr. Arjaan Pellis
Tourism’s profound impact on the world Tourism continues to experiencing incredible growth. Of all the industries of major importance worldwide, Travel and Tourism directly contribute $1.4 trillion to the global economy and provides one out of ten jobs and that number is growing.
Read more
Tourism’s profound impact on the world Tourism continues to experiencing incredible growth. Of all the industries of major importance worldwide, Travel and Tourism directly contribute $1.4 trillion to the global economy and provides one out of ten jobs and that number is growing.
Read more
Tourism’s profound impact on the world Tourism continues to experiencing incredible growth. Of all the industries of major importance worldwide, Travel and Tourism directly contribute $1.4 trillion to the global economy and provides one out of ten jobs and that number is growing.
But tourism is more than just a powerful economic force. Tourist activities come with a host of social and environmental issues at tourism destinations. And return, tourism business itself is highly sensitive to global transformations such as changing consumer behaviour, economic developments, natural disaster, epidemics, or acts of terrorism. Tourism is in fact a complex phenomenon.
Introduction to tourism; an all-round perspectiveInstead of taking on tourism education’s customary approach – that of growth driven, applied and hospitality management – join us to explore the tourism industry and build your own reflections. You'll be exposed to a variety of insights throughout the course. These include tourism's historical background and a variety of social science approaches will be looked at, with a special focus on the human geography of tourism. You will be exposed to the negative impacts on natural resources, the cultural heritage of host communities and climate change related issues, such as carbon emissions. Which role can sustainable tourism development play to address both the tourism associated economic benefits as well as the collateral costs for key stakeholders?
Based on weekly reflection exercises, you'll be challenged to form your own argument for a tourism development of your choice. You'll also help others by providing and receiving meaningful feedback on their critical reflections of tourism phenomena.
The effects of Corona virus on the tourism industryThere is no doubt that tourism has been greatly affected by the Covid 19 virus outbreak. With the upcoming attempt to rebound post-Corona, all players in the industry face a choice: will it be business as usual or do we re-invent toward more sustainable practices? But also, how has Corona effected tourists and their behaviour? We will discuss these and other highly relevant questions throughout our tourism courses.
For whomWhether you are a business owner, work in tourism or an fervent traveller, join us for this MOOC for an science based understanding of what tourism does to our living environment, our behaviour and our cultural inheritance. Help drive sustainability in tourism. Subscribe now!
Professional Certificate Programme
This online course, ranked among the 10 best online courses in the world by Class Central, is part of the Professional Certificate Programme Tourism in Transition: Exploring a Sustainable Future, along with the MOOC Sustainable Tourism: Rethinking the Future, which was nominated for the annual edX® award in 2019 and the MOOC Tourism and Climate Change.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/cpl7r8/sustainable
Two deals to help you save
We found two deals and offers that may be relevant to this course.
Save money when you learn.
All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.
EDXCYBER24
What's inside
Learning objectives
- How to view tourism as a complex social and environmental phenomenon
- An overview of global tourism development in its historical context
- Ways to distinguish differences in the social study of tourism
- How to conceive of the sheer size and systemic development of tourism
- To analyse mutual relationships between tourism and its environment
- How to view tourism as a complex social and environmental phenomenon
- An overview of global tourism development in its historical context
- Ways to distinguish differences in the social study of tourism
- How to conceive of the sheer size and systemic development of tourism
- To analyse mutual relationships between tourism and its environment
Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction & Overview What is tourism, and how can you study it from a social sciences point of view?
Module 2: History of global tourism developmentWhere does tourism come from? We go back in time to understand where our contemporary tourism practices originate.
Read more
Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction & Overview What is tourism, and how can you study it from a social sciences point of view?
Module 2: History of global tourism developmentWhere does tourism come from? We go back in time to understand where our contemporary tourism practices originate.
Read more
Module 3: Scientific approaches and systemic observationsWhat are typical social science approachesto tourism; including behavioral, cultural, and more critical observations? And to what kind of observations do these approaches lead?
Module 4: Key theories and global flowsTake notice of a set of typical theoretical concepts used in tourism studies, and become acquainted with how global tourism developments run parallel with rapidly developing flows of people, goods, technology, information,and capital.
Module 5: Environmental impacts of tourismTake the main economic, socio-cultural, and environmental interactions and impacts generated by and in tourism.
Module 6: Synthesis and looking forwardFinalize your own argument related to a tourism development of your choice, and become familiar with the science of sustainable tourism.
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Addresses complex and timely global issues in the tourism industry
Taught by experienced professionals who provide a unique global perspective
Explores the historical development of tourism, providing valuable context
Challenges learners to develop a comprehensive understanding of tourism's impact
Offers a multidisciplinary approach, integrating various social science perspectives
Suitable for individuals interested in tourism management, travel, or related fields
Save this course
Save Sustainable Tourism: Society & Environmental Aspects to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save
Save
Reviews summary
Learners say tourism matters
learners say this course is largely positive with key features like lectures, readings, videos, exams, quizzes, assignments, instructors, deadlines, and certificates.
They emphasize the relevance of the course and the importance of the topics covered, such as sustainable tourism, societal impact, and environmental aspects. The course encourages learners to think critically about the industry and its effects, promoting a deeper understanding of the field.
This course explores the broad yet important view of sustainable tourism, covering economic, cultural, and environmental aspects. It is recommended to give more detail in videos.
"It has a broad but important view of what sustainable tourism is."
"But, I would recommend giving more detail in videos."
The engaging lecture videos, variety of testing methods (practice and graded quizzes, discussion posts, assignments), and valuable information enhance the learning experience.
"Engaging lecture videos, variety of ways to test learning (practice and graded quizzes, discussion posts, assignments), and valuable information."
The course encourages critical thinking about the challenges and opportunities within the tourism industry.
"learners say the course is largely positive with key features like ... encouraging learners to think critically about the industry and its effects, promoting a deeper understanding of the field."
The course provides a good overview of tourism and sustainability, but some learners felt there should have been more emphasis on sustainability-related topics.
"It is a very dissent intro in the tourism industry. Some of the subjects are very poorly described without answering the main question"
"Useful to me in giving me an understanding of the subject of sustainable tourism and of some of the tools that can be used in studying the subject."
"I would have liked some content to be explored more in depth and maybe to be provided with some addiotional and optional documents to reed"
"Valuable insight on the tourism industry as a whole and well laid out in a multimedia format. Felt a little light on sustainability subject matter however."
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: Society & Environmental Aspects with these
activities:
Join a Tourism Discussion Group
Show steps
Joining a tourism discussion group will allow you to engage with others interested in tourism and learn from their perspectives.
Show steps
-
Search for online or in-person tourism discussion groups.
-
Join the group and participate in discussions on a regular basis.
-
Share your own experiences and insights on tourism-related topics.
Review: Tourism Destination Management
Show steps
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of tourism destination management.
View
Advanced Introduction to Sustainable Tourism...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
-
Identify the main challenges and opportunities facing tourism destinations.
-
Develop your own recommendations for improving tourism destination management practices.
Review Historical Context
Show steps
Reviewing the historical context of tourism will strengthen your understanding of the industry's evolution and development.
Show steps
-
Read scholarly articles about the history of tourism.
-
Identify key events and trends that shaped the industry.
-
Analyze the impact of tourism on different regions and cultures throughout history.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Follow Tutorials on Tourism Marketing
Show steps
Following tutorials on tourism marketing will enhance your understanding of how to effectively promote tourism destinations.
Show steps
-
Identify reputable sources for tourism marketing tutorials.
-
Follow tutorials on topics such as target market analysis, content marketing, and social media marketing.
-
Practice applying the concepts learned in the tutorials to real-world scenarios.
Design a Sustainable Tourism Campaign
Show steps
Designing a sustainable tourism campaign will strengthen your understanding of how to promote tourism while minimizing environmental and social impacts.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Tourism
Show steps
-
Research best practices for sustainable tourism.
-
Identify a specific tourism destination and target audience.
-
Develop a marketing campaign that promotes the destination's sustainable attributes.
-
Create a detailed plan outlining your campaign strategy and how it will be implemented.
Develop a Tourism Sustainability Plan
Show steps
Creating a sustainability plan will enhance your understanding of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of tourism.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Tourism
Show steps
-
Research best practices for sustainable tourism.
-
Identify potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of tourism in a specific destination.
-
Develop strategies to mitigate negative impacts and enhance positive impacts.
-
Create a detailed plan outlining your strategies and how they will be implemented.
Contribute to a Tourism Open-Source Project
Show steps
Contributing to a tourism open-source project will provide you with hands-on experience in the tourism industry and allow you to make a meaningful contribution to the field.
Browse courses on
Open Source
Show steps
-
Find an open-source project that aligns with your interests in tourism.
-
Identify ways to contribute to the project, such as reporting bugs, translating content, or writing documentation.
-
Join the project's community and start contributing.
Join a Tourism Discussion Group
Show steps
Joining a tourism discussion group will allow you to engage with others interested in tourism and learn from their perspectives.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Search for online or in-person tourism discussion groups.
- Join the group and participate in discussions on a regular basis.
- Share your own experiences and insights on tourism-related topics.
Review: Tourism Destination Management
Show steps
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of tourism destination management.
View
Advanced Introduction to Sustainable Tourism...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
- Identify the main challenges and opportunities facing tourism destinations.
- Develop your own recommendations for improving tourism destination management practices.
Review Historical Context
Show steps
Reviewing the historical context of tourism will strengthen your understanding of the industry's evolution and development.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read scholarly articles about the history of tourism.
- Identify key events and trends that shaped the industry.
- Analyze the impact of tourism on different regions and cultures throughout history.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Follow Tutorials on Tourism Marketing
Show steps
Following tutorials on tourism marketing will enhance your understanding of how to effectively promote tourism destinations.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify reputable sources for tourism marketing tutorials.
- Follow tutorials on topics such as target market analysis, content marketing, and social media marketing.
- Practice applying the concepts learned in the tutorials to real-world scenarios.
Design a Sustainable Tourism Campaign
Show steps
Designing a sustainable tourism campaign will strengthen your understanding of how to promote tourism while minimizing environmental and social impacts.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Tourism
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research best practices for sustainable tourism.
- Identify a specific tourism destination and target audience.
- Develop a marketing campaign that promotes the destination's sustainable attributes.
- Create a detailed plan outlining your campaign strategy and how it will be implemented.
Develop a Tourism Sustainability Plan
Show steps
Creating a sustainability plan will enhance your understanding of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of tourism.
Browse courses on
Sustainable Tourism
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research best practices for sustainable tourism.
- Identify potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of tourism in a specific destination.
- Develop strategies to mitigate negative impacts and enhance positive impacts.
- Create a detailed plan outlining your strategies and how they will be implemented.
Contribute to a Tourism Open-Source Project
Show steps
Contributing to a tourism open-source project will provide you with hands-on experience in the tourism industry and allow you to make a meaningful contribution to the field.
Browse courses on
Open Source
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find an open-source project that aligns with your interests in tourism.
- Identify ways to contribute to the project, such as reporting bugs, translating content, or writing documentation.
- Join the project's community and start contributing.
Career center
Learners who complete Sustainable Tourism: Society & Environmental Aspects will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Hotel Manager
Hotel Manager
Running day-to-day operations at a hotel is the duty of a Hotel Manager. The hospitality industry in its entirety revolves around the idea of tourism. Understanding the impacts of tourism on the environment is key. Also important is the idea of sustainable tourism development. Knowledge of these subjects as provided by this course can help you be a successful Hotel Manager.
Tourist Information Specialist
Tourist Information Specialist
Answering questions about tourism activities is a primary responsibility of Tourist Information Specialists. They have a profound understanding of tourism's societal and environmental impacts and are able to communicate these to visitors who may not completely understand the effects of the tourism industry.
Tour Operator
Tour Operator
This role directly manages everything related to tourism for clients. A critical aspect is the planning of tours and activities. Tour Operators must be quite familiar with environmental issues as they relate to tourism so that they can make sound decisions about sustainable practices.
Travel Consultant
Travel Consultant
Getting people to their desired tourism destinations is the job of Travel Consultants. They work with clients to plan their itineraries and make all the necessary arrangements. Travel Consultants are able to advise clients on sustainable tourism practices and help them make choices that are less impactful to the environment.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists gather data and study the impacts of tourism on the environment. They also develop and implement plans to mitigate these impacts. Environmental Scientists who specialize in tourism need to be able to understand the social and economic aspects of tourism in addition to the environmental ones.
Hospitality Manager
Hospitality Manager
Heading up all hospitality operations for a particular organization is what a Hospitality Manager does. In the tourism industry, they work to ensure that guests have the best possible experience while also minimizing the environmental impact of their stay.
Environmental Economist
Environmental Economist
Environmental Economists assess the environmental impacts of tourism and develop policies to mitigate these impacts considering the economic costs and benefits involved in sustainable tourism.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists communicate with the public on behalf of organizations or individuals. In the tourism industry, they may be responsible for promoting sustainable tourism practices or responding to negative publicity about the environmental impacts of tourism.
Urban Planner
Urban Planner
Urban Planners work to create sustainable communities and can specialize in tourism planning. They need to be able to understand the economic and social benefits of tourism, as well as the potential negative environmental impacts.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Manager
In tourism, Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing policies and practices that reduce the environmental impact of tourism operations.
Anthropologist
Anthropologist
Anthropologists study tourism's impacts on cultures and the experiences of tourism workers. For example, an anthropologist could investigate how different tourism development projects may impact local communities and their traditional ways of life.
Geographer
Geographer
Geographers study the physical and human aspects of the environment. They can specialize in tourism geography and study the environmental and social impacts of tourism development.
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyers use their knowledge of the law to protect the environment. They can also work with governments and businesses to develop sustainable tourism policies and practices.
International Development Specialist
International Development Specialist
International Development Specialists work to improve the quality of life in developing countries. They may work on projects related to tourism development and can use their knowledge of sustainable tourism to help communities benefit from tourism while minimizing the negative environmental impacts.
Science Reporter
Science Reporter
Science Reporters communicate scientific information to the public. They may cover topics such as environmental issues and sustainable tourism, helping to raise awareness of these important topics and promote informed decision-making.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/cpl7r8/sustainable
Reading list
We've selected six books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Sustainable Tourism: Society & Environmental Aspects.
Save
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on tourism and sustainability. It covers a wide range of topics, including environmental management, social and cultural sustainability, and economic development. valuable reference tool for researchers and practitioners in the field of sustainable tourism.
Provides a practical guide to sustainable tourism development. It covers topics such as stakeholder engagement, environmental management, and economic development. This book is commonly used as a textbook for tourism courses and useful reference tool.
Save
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability in tourism, bringing together perspectives from various disciplines. It covers topics such as environmental management, social and cultural sustainability, and economic development. It would be good supplementary reading or reference.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the impacts of climate change on tourism, as well as adaptation and mitigation strategies. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field of sustainable tourism.
Provides good background information and overview of tourism and its relation to the environment. It covers topics such as environmental impact, sustainability, and ecotourism. This book is more valuable as supplemental reading than a current reference.
Save
Provides a broad overview of tourism, covering topics such as history, theory, and practice. It good resource for students who are new to the field of tourism, and can provide supplemental reading for some topics.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/cpl7r8/sustainable
Share
Similar courses
Here are nine courses similar to
Sustainable Tourism: Society & Environmental Aspects.
Sustainable Tourism: Rethinking the future
OpenCourser.com/course/49at1q/sustainable
Sustainable Tourism: Rethinking the future
Most relevant
Tourism and Climate Change
OpenCourser.com/course/opbyi1/tourism
Tourism and Climate Change
Most relevant
Sustainable Tourism – promoting environmental public health
OpenCourser.com/course/j07vzd/sustainable
Sustainable Tourism – promoting environmental public...
Most relevant
The Future of Tourism
OpenCourser.com/course/p4m239/the
The Future of Tourism
Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality
OpenCourser.com/course/diuo8f/introduction
Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality
Changing Behaviour for Sustainable Development
OpenCourser.com/course/v5sqw6/changing
Changing Behaviour for Sustainable Development
China’s Role in Global Tourism Development
OpenCourser.com/course/mriy1u/china's
China’s Role in Global Tourism Development
Sustainable high-end tourism
OpenCourser.com/course/eirjnl/sustainable
Sustainable high-end tourism
Animal Behaviour in Conservation
OpenCourser.com/course/a1pnyk/animal
Animal Behaviour in Conservation
Effort
5 to 7 hours per week for 6 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
Wageningen University & Research
Instructors
Jonas Skutka
Dr. Arjaan Pellis
Session
March 5, 2024
- April 22, 2025
Language
English
Transcript
English
Good to know
Addresses complex and timely global issues in the tourism industry
Taught by experienced professionals who provide a unique global perspective
Explores the historical development of tourism, providing valuable context
Challenges learners to develop a comprehensive understanding of tourism's impact
Offers a multidisciplinary approach, integrating various social science perspectives
Suitable for individuals interested in tourism management, travel, or related fields
Our mission
OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.
Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.
Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.
Affiliate disclosure
We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.
Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.
Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.
© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser