Introduction to tourism as a human activity and as a sector of the economy. Analysis of growth factors and patterns, as well as future prospects in order to understand the changing character and evolution of special types of tourism. Introduction to the analysis of environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism at a destination level. Presentation of sustainable development goals and principles as the basis of contemporary approaches towards tourism development at international, national, regional and local/destination level. Introduction to contemporary policy issues and challenges for tourism such a climate change adaptation, overtourism, etc.

Upon completion of the course, the students are expected to:

• stimulate thinking about tourism as a phenomenon of modern societies and as a human activity with social, economic and environmental concerns;
• development of theoretical and analytical skills to explore tourism development and prospects with the aim to develop and analyze relevant policies, plans and programs.

The course aims at developing the following skills:

• test the capability of synthetic scientific thinking on tourism development issues and the ability to use bibliographic and other resources to support the relevant statements;
• design programs and actions for tourism development in respect to environment-society-economy issues.

MODES OF DELIVERY: Face to face

USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY: Projections in class, ICT support (administrative, teaching materials)

COURSE DESIGN: Lectures

STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Active Participation in class            50%

Individual study preparation          50%

• Bramwell, B. et al (eds) (1998). Sustainable Tourism Management: Principles and Practice, Tilburg University Press, Tilburg (chapters 2-3-5).
• Coccossis, H. and Tsartas, P. (2019) (second edition). Sustainable Tourism Development, Kritiki: Athens (in Greek).
• Hall, C.M. and Page, S. (1999). The Geography of Tourism and Recreation: Environment, Place and Space, Routledge: London and New York.
• Hall, C.M., Gossling S. and Scott, D. (eds), (2015). Handbook of Tourism and Sustainability, Routledge: London.
• Holden, A. (2008). Environment and Tourism Routledge, New York, N.Y. (ch. 9).
• Moutinho, L. (ed) (2000). Strategic Management in Tourism, CABI Publishing Wallingford, U.K.
• UNWTO (2018). Tourism Highlights, WTO Madrid.
• UNWTO (2011). Tourism towards 2030, Global Overview WTO Madrid.
• Vellas, F. (2007). Economie et Politique du Tourisme, International Economica: Paris.
• Weaver, D. (2006). Sustainable Tourism: Theory and Practice, Butterworth-Heinemann Burlington, Mass.