GEOG 3010 - Tourism and Environment

Tourism has become one of the largest industries in the world in terms of employment and international trade. On the other hand, public concerns have been growing for the environmental, ecological, and social impacts of tourism, such as the overuse of natural resources, carbon emissions, neoliberalism-driven tourism industry. This course investigates the relationship between tourism and natural environments. The course considers the recreational, educational, and economic aspects of tourism associated with protected areas, agricultural landscapes, green open spaces, and cultural assets. The course first discusses environmental attitudes and preferences in the use of the natural and cultural resources, and then choice of travel modes. The course next introduces a broad range of sustainable tourism models, including agro-tourism, sports (e.g cycling, bush-walking) tourism, and culture tourism. The course also brings attention to pro-poor tourism, which is an important instrument to help the poor in developing countries to combat poverty, as well as community-based ecotourism, which can consolidate indigenous knowledge, engage local communities, and triggers local economic development.