Tourism Planning and Development

Tourism has long been considered an effective vehicle of socio-economic development, particularly in destination areas and, consequently, it is firmly embedded in the development policies of many regions and countries. However, a significant challenge for tourism planners is how to optimise the evident developmental benefits of tourism whilst minimising its negative impacts on destination environments and communities. This course explores this challenge within a critical understanding of the relationship between tourism and development. Commencing with an introduction to tourism’s potential as a driver of development, the course first focuses on development theories and processes including sustainable development. It then explores the extent to which tourism may be ‘mapped’ on to contemporary development processes before going on to consider different tourism planning models and specific approaches to tourism development, including community-based tourism and pro-poor tourism. It concludes with an assessment of challenges facing tourism planners now and in the future.

Delivery and evaluation
The course is delivered in two blocks of two days, total four days. Each day will include lectures, case studies and group discussions. Following the first two-day block, students (in groups) will prepare presentations to be delivered and assessed (40% of total course evaluation) during the second two-day block. A final exam accounts for 60% of the evaluation.

Course text / readings
R. Sharpley & D. Telfer (2015) Tourism and Development: Concepts and Issues, 2^nd Edition. Channel View Publications

D. Telfer & R. Sharpley (2016) Tourism and Development in the Developing World, 2^nd Edition. Routledge