Main topics of study:

An Introduction to Tourism:

• Defining Tourism
• The Tourist Product
• The Nature of a Tour
• The Tourist Destination

The History of Tourism: From Its Origins to the Age of Steam:

• Introduction
• Travel in the Middle Ages
• Developments in Road Transport in the Seventeenth to Early Nineteenth Centuries
• The Grand Tour
• Political Hindrance to Travel
• The Development of the Spas
• The Rise of the Seaside Resort
• The Conditions Favouring the Expansion of Travel in the Nineteenth Century
• The Age of Steam
• Other Late-nineteenth-century Developments

Tourism in the Twentieth Century:

• The First Fifty Years
• Tourism Since World War II
• Factors Influencing Changes in Tourism Demand

The Economics of Tourism:

• Introduction
• The International Tourist Market
• Britain’s Place in World Tourism
• The Value of Economic Data
• The Economic Impact of Tourism
• Statistical Measurement of Tourism

Tourist Motivation and Behaviour:

• Introduction
• The Tourist’s Needs and Wants
• General and Specific Motivation
• Motivators and Facilitators
• Psychological and Sociological Factors Influencing Motivation
• The Motivation of Business Travellers

The Structure and Organisation of the Travel and Tourism Industry:

• The Tourism Chain of Distribution
• Common-interest Organisations
• Integration in the Tourism Industry
• Conglomerates and International Integration

Passenger Transport: the Aviation Business:

• Introduction
• The Airline Business
• The Organisation of Air Transport
• Air Transport Regulation
• Deregulation of Air Transport
• The Economics of Airline Operation
• The Marketing of Air Services

Water-borne Passenger Transport:

• Introduction
• The Ocean Liners
• Cruising
• Ferry Services
• Coastal and Inland Waterways Tourism
• Seagoing Pleasure Craft

Other Modes of Tourist Travel:

• The Role of the Railways in Tourism
• Coach Travel
• The Private Car
• Cycling and Tourism
• Tourists on Foot

The Hospitality Sector: Accommodation and Catering Services

• Introduction
• The Structure of the Accommodation Sector
• The Nature of Demand for Accommodation Facilities
• The Distribution of Accommodation
• Environmental Issues

Visitor Attractions and Visitor Management:

• Introduction
• Seaside Resorts
• Spa Tourism
• Urban Tourism
• Rural Tourism
• Purpose-built Attractions
• Other Site Attractions
• Cultural Tourism
• Retail Shopping
• Events

Tour Operating:

• The Role of the Tour Operator
• The Specialised Roles of Tour Operators
• The British Tour Operating Scene
• The Nature of Tour Operating
• Control Over Tour Operating
• Planning, Marketing and Operating Package Tours
• The Process of Negotiating
• The Role of the Resort Representative
• Pricing the Package Tour
• The Tour Brochure
• The Reservations System
• The Distribution Network
• The IT Revolution and its Impact on Tour Operating

Travel Retailing:

• Introduction
• The Role of Travel Agents
• Setting Up and Running a Travel Agency
• Travel Agency Skills and Competences
• Business Travel
• Travel Agency Appointments
• Profitability of Travel Agents

Ancillary Tourism Services:

• Introduction
• Services to the Tourist
• Services to the Supplier
• Marketing Services

The Structure and Role of Public Sector Tourism:

• Introduction
• The Nature of Government Involvement
• Planning and Facilitating Tourism
• Control and Supervision in Tourism
• The Organisation of Public Sector Tourism
• Public Sector Tourism in Britain
• Functions of the Tourist Boards

Tourism Design and Management:

• Introduction
• The Role of Design in Tourism
• The Management of Tourism Sites

The Social and Environmental Impact of Tourism:

• Introduction
• The Environmental Effects of Tourism
• Planning for Control and Conservation
• The Socio-cultural Effects of Tourism
• Managing the Social Impact of Tourism
• The Future of Tourism

Reading List

Main Text:

The Business of Tourism (6th Edition) – J. Christopher Holloway (Prentice Hall)