Topic outline

  • Introduction to Tourism

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    • Before you begin this section, please ensure that you have read the Welcome, Course Information and Before You Start information.

      In Subtopic 1.1 we will be looking at the following introductory video produced by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

      After viewing this, watch the narrated slides below which will address the following important points:

      • Why tourism matters
      • Tourism employment and exports
      • Tourism data, forecasts and statistics
      • Why is tourism called a ‘global industry’?

      This course, Fundamentals of Global Tourism and Hospitality will be an evolving journey of discovery. This sub-topic is similar to a map, which will enable us the plan the rest of the trip, or course.



      Let's cross new horizons in this course together (Chris Krolikowski, 2022)
      Photograph supplied with permission


    • Watch

      Tourism for Decade of Action, produced by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), mentions many of the key aspects which will be covered in the course from an international perspective. As you are watching this, try and think about the many different industries that tourism involves and perhaps some careers you may not have previously associated with tourism. You will see from watching this that there are many complex layers of tourism; under the warm exterior you may find things that alarm, delight or surprise you. The video is a few years old. Do you think the information is still relevant now that we are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic?  Why do you think they are referring to by a ‘Decade of Action’?

      Tourism for Decade of Action 2m 59s

      [World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 2020]

    • Watch

      The narrated slides below complement what you have watched in the video above and will assist with your overall understanding of this subtopic. Ultimately, this information provides the foundation for your first assessment which is due in Week 3.

      Introduction to tourism 15m 39s


    • Read

      This chapter (pp. 33-38) will provide you will the opportunity to explore the multidisciplinary nature of tourism, and why we can’t just compress everything into the same metaphorical suitcase and call it tourism. What are the myths surrounding tourism, who creates them and why? Does tourism need to evoke feelings of pleasure to be called ‘tourism’ or is it more dynamic than that?


    • References

      At the end of each section of this course, you will find a list of references. We are doing this to model academic integrity for you and show you the sources we used. You are not expected to visit or read any of these but they may be of interest should you wish to know more about a specific topic. 

      Reference List (click to expand)
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