TOURISM AND THE SPACE ECONOMY - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of the role of tourism in the rapidly expanding space economy. In this module, students will explore the emerging sector of space travel and what it means for global tourism. Theoretical frameworks relating to tourism marketing, sustainability, justice and risk management will be evaluated in the context of space tourism. Space-specific issues such as resource management and governance will also be analyzed. Drawing on real-world case examples and comparable contexts, students will develop an understanding of the opportunities and complexities in developing space travel. This module will equip students with the skills to critically evaluate the role of tourism in the space economy. Students will also gain the knowledge to inform their perspectives on the future of the sector.

Module provider

Surrey Hospitality & Tourism Management

Module Leader

COCOLAS Nicole (Hosp & Tour)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative module content:

• Introduction to the role of tourism in the space economy.


• Tour opportunities in space.


• Emerging technologies in space tourism.


• Market segmentation and product offerings.


• Sustainability and non-planetary resources.


• Risk and crisis management.


• Emerging legislation in space environments.


• Ethics, justice and equity in space tourism.


• Heritage tourism and non-planetary environments.


• The future of tourism in space.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

In cases where the original podcast is not suitable for re-assessment, the student will be examined through a Viva conversation with the module leader, and an independent academic will also be present.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their critical understanding of the key issues relevant to space tourism and its development. The assessment is designed to ensure students apply their practical knowledge and analytical skills developed throughout the course.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Policy Brief (Individual Assignment): Students  present a policy brief from the perspective of independent consultants examining one key issue relevant to space travel. This may relate to insurance, travel risk, legislation, technology implementation, sustainability, justice, or any other issue. Students should draw on theoretical concepts and references presented throughout the module’s teaching materials, while also conducting their own independent research. This assessment will address learning outcomes 1, 2 and 5.


• Group Podcast (Group Oral Presentation): Working in pairs, students are required to record a 15-minute podcast on the future of space tourism. The podcast should be conversational in style, while arguments must be supported by literature and real-world case examples. Students are encouraged to form and share their own opinions based on class learnings and their independent research. The podcasts should convey a deep understanding and knowledge of the complexities of the future of space tourism. This assessment will address learning outcomes 3, 4 and 5.

Module aims

• Develop an understanding of the role of tourism in the space economy.
• Apply well-known tourism frameworks to the context of space travel.
• Develop a critical understanding of the opportunities and complexities in space tourism development.
• Explore potential implications of space tourism on justice and accessibility.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to provide students with a holistic understanding of space tourism and its role in the broader emerging space economy. The strategy is also designed to encourage students’ independent thinking and critical reflection on future opportunities and challenges of space tourism development.
The teaching and learning methods include lectures designed to provide a framework of knowledge; exercises to provide opportunities for students to gather and interpret their own material; and classroom-based discussions and tasks to challenge their thinking. There will be lectures and seminars each week.
The assessment methods are designed to allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and critical analysis of issues relating to space tourism development. Assessment is also designed to enable students to demonstrate their creative and independent thinking skills in relation to the future of the sector.

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: MAN3253

Other information

Global and Cultural Capabilities: The module revolves around the development and management of an international geography, being space. Students develop an understanding of the desire to develop space travel from different cultural perspectives. Space travel is fundamentally international, and the dynamics of the sector will be evaluated. Sensitivities regarding access and global equity will also be explored. Students’ will be encouraged to reflect on their own dispositions to space travel, shaped by diversity in their personal experiences and cultural backgrounds. Class discussions and seminar exercises will be used to reinforce students’ global and cultural capabilities.

Digital Capabilities: Teaching and learning materials are provided in several formats, and students are encouraged to use discussion boards for communication. Students will be provided instruction on digital literature review searches that support their development of independent learning and successful assessment preparation. Students will use the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), SurreyLearn, and video conferencing platforms such as Mocrosoft Teams, to facilitate learning. Students will also be encouraged to engage with digital tools for their second assessment, the group podcast.

Employability: This module equips students with skills transferrable to various situations at the workplace. Students will gain knowledge on current developments relevant to the space economy and be taught to critically evaluate these developments. The first assessment, the policy brief, will equip students with a practical skill applicable in the private and public sectors. The second assessment, the group podcast, will help build essential teamwork and editing skills as well as engagement with creative mediums relevant to industry.

Sustainability: This module motivates students to critically evaluate the impacts of developing elite tourism mobilities such as space travel on society, the global economy and the natural environment. Students will be encouraged to consider the sustainability of space travel holistically, including sociocultural implications of access and issues of fuel use. Over the course of the module, students will be encouraged to reflect on the knowledge of the industry and their understanding of sustainable development, to establish their own critical perspective on sustainable space travel.

Resourcefulness and Resilience: The assessment strategy empowers students to build self-evaluation into assessment processes and create scope for students to reflect on their own understandings of space travel. The structured schedule of the two-stage assessment will also support students in developing time management skills. Students are encouraged to make informed decisions from a range of options as to which aspect of their work they would like to request feedback. The critical nature of in-class discussion will help foster openness by encouraging students to understand and discuss contrasting perspectives.

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 2025/6 academic year.