Main topics of study:

Emergence of Sustainable Tourism:

• Status of Global Tourism 2004
• Jafari’s ‘Platform’ Model
• Institutionalisation of Sustainable Tourism

Issues in Sustainable Tourism:

• Flexibility
• Status Quo or Enhancement?
• Complexity of Tourism Systems
• Minimalist and Comprehensive Composite Models
• Sustainable Tourism Indicators
• Bellagio Principles
• Pursuing Sustainable Tourism

Alternative Tourism:

• History of Alternative Tourism
• Typology of Alternative Tourism Products
• Mass Conventional Tourism and Alternative Tourism Ideal Types
• Deliberate and Circumstantial Alternative Tourism
• Farm-based Tourism
• Volunteer Tourism
• Guesthouse Tourism
• Backpacking
• Urban Alternative Tourism
• Education Tourism
• Potential Problems

Conventional Mass Tourism:

• Structure of the Formal Tourism Industry
• Ethics
• In Situ Nature of Tourism Consumption
• Emergence of the ‘Green Consumer’
• Advantages of Large Economies of Scale

The Facilitating Sectors:

• Travel Agencies
• Specialised Merchandise: Guidebooks
• Outbound Tour Operators
• Transportation Providers
• Hospitality Providers

Attractions:

• Role of Attractions
• Theme Parks
• Casinos
• Ski Resorts
• Golf Courses

Quality Control:

• Quality Control
• Codes of Conduct
• Ecolabels
• Awards

Tourist Destinations:

• Destination and Place
• Destination and Community
• Broad Context Model of Destination Development Scenarios
• Destination Types
• Special Events
• Quality Control and Destinations

Spatial Strategies for Destinations:

• Frontstage and Backstage
• Development Standards
• Zoning and Districting
• Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Agreements
• Trade-offs
• Government Incentives

Visitor Management Strategies for Destinations:

• Visitation Caps
• Redistribution
• Education
• Target Marketing

Ecotourism: The Conscience of Sustainable Tourism:

• Definitions and Criteria
• Hard and Soft Manifestations
• Ecotourism Industry
• Spatial Distribution
• Potential Costs and Benefits
• Quality Control
• Hard and Soft Ecotourism Within a Comprehensive Framework

Reading List

Main Text:

Sustainable Tourism – David Weaver (Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann)