Sustainable Tourism

Objectives

1. Understand the concepts of sustainable development and sustainable tourism and their origins and be aware of the complexity and challenges of implementing sustainability in the tourism sector.
2. Recognize the importance of strategic tourism planning and the definition of policies for the sustainability of tourism at the level of the entire tourism value chain.
3. Understand how the principles of good governance and the creation of partnerships contribute to the sustainability of tourism and how ethical issues and values can be integrated into tourism business practices.
4. Know the tools and instruments that assist in the assessment and monitoring of sustainability and the business models for operationalizing sustainable tourism.
5. Analyse future tourism trends and recognize how innovation can influence sustainability practices.
6. Develop or improve important skills to be successful in planning and managing organizations in the tourism sector towards sustainability.

Program

1. Origins and definitions of the concept of sustainable tourism
2. Challenges to implementing sustainability practices in tourism
3. Policy, governance and partnerships
4. Ethics and values
5. Operationalising sustainable tourism
6. Future of sustainable tourism: change and innovation

Teaching Methodologies

The curricular unit is based on the combination of expository, interrogative and active methods, the latter being supported in the discussion of case studies and scientific articles and in the realization of projects. The evaluation is carried out through a written test (60%) and the resolution of cases / projects (40%) or by exam (80% + 20% of the grade given to cases / projects).

Bibliography

Coghlan, A. (2019). Introduction to Sustainable Tourism. Goodfellow Publishers.
Fennell, D. A., & Cooper, C. (2020). Sustainable Tourism: Principles, Contexts and Practices. Channel View Publications.
Edgell Sr., D.L (2019). Managing Sustainable Tourism: A Legacy for the Future (3rd Edition). Routledge.
Benckendorff, P., & Lund-Durlacher, D. (Eds.). (2013). International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism. Goodfellow Publishers.
Hughes, M., Weaver, D., & Pforr, C. (Eds.). (2017). The Practice of Sustainable Tourism: Resolving the Paradox. Routledge.