SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT - 2021/2

Module Overview

Tourism can only exist in the long term upon a resource base which is maintained for the future. Yet the industry also faces short term demands for profits in a dynamic and challenging market. Further, the tourism industry has a potentially strong contribution to make towards the sustainable development of destinations. Managing the development of a company, a destination and an industry sustainably presents a range of conflicts and contestations that must be addressed. This can be described as the management of sustainable tourism development.

Module provider

Hospitality, Tourism & Events Management

Module Leader

FONT Xavier (Hosp & Tour)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

The thematic areas that the module focuses on include: 

• Sustainable Development: setting the context of development


• Links between sustainable tourism development and sustainable development


• Theoretical approaches to sustainable tourism


• Implementing sustainable tourism management


• Need for monitoring and indicators in sustainable tourism management


• The complexities of sustainable tourism:


• The Industry perspective


• The NGO perspective


• The Resident perspective


• The Government perspective


• The Consumer perspective


• Development, ethics and tourism in tourism management


• Practical examples of current sustainable tourism management initiatives using case-study examples.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

In the event that a group project will not be suitable for re-assessment, an individual essay (2500 words) will be assigned.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of the context of responsible tourism and the extent to which they have been able to evaluate the considerable challenges faced.

The assessment methods include:

1. Individual essay (2000 words) to examine the theoretical considerations of the link between sustainable tourism and sustainable development


2. Group project: students will work in groups of 4-5 to provide an analysis of the sustainability of a business or destination. As a group, you will be required to produce a 5000 word report by the assessment deadline. The coursework is designed to test your ability to apply theory to a practical situation and develop appropriate solutions to problems identified.

The assessment methods are designed to encourage students to apply and further develop knowledge and skills by researching a practical topic through first-hand experience through an industry fieldtrip. Assessments will evaluate students’ knowledge and critical understanding of travel and transport for sustainable tourism. Furthermore, their ability to interpret academic and other secondary sources and apply theory to practice, as well as to report their findings in a creative and business-like manner will be tested. 

The assessment for this module consists of: a) an individual essay b) a group project. Unmarked formative feedback will be provided to students through a range of approaches, including question and answer sessions in class and discussions using SurreyLearn.

Module aims

• This module investigates the evolution, growth and future of tourism from a range of perspectives. In order to fully explore the complex issues of development within the context of sustainable tourism, the modules explores the origins, definitions and concepts of sustainable development and the links such conceptualisation and practice has in understanding sustainable tourism.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to introduce students to the numerous issues and challenges facing sustainable tourism development at destinations and provide the opportunity to explore both the theoretical and empirical application of concepts of sustainability in the context of tourism planning, development and management.

The teaching and learning methods include conceptual lectures, designed to provide a framework of knowledge. Interactive classroom-based and virtual learning through a series of in-class and Ulearn exercises, case-study analysis, debates, discussion and a field trip. These will be designed to encourage students to challenge conceptualisations of sustainable tourism development and the practical application of such issues through case study examples. Visiting speakers will ensure students appreciate the relevance of the material to the current industry.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM314

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.