Overview

The first session of the module will provide an introduction to the teaching, learning and assessment strategy to the module and then introduce contemporary issues in travel, tourism and hospitality, systems and drivers of change.

The module will focus on a variety of different contemporary issues affecting the industry (such as but not limited to); adventure tourism, medical tourism, sports tourism, sustainable tourism. MDIST Lecturers have the flexibility to include new contemporary materials as the PESTLE & consumer behaviour landscape of Travel, Tourism and Hospitality changes.

Generic structure will be as follows An introduction to the module, learning outcomes and assessment

An overview of the module in general; what is contemporary issues in tourism, international tourism futures, tourists of the future, hospitality of the future & events of the future.

Then the module will focus on a variety of issues such as sustainability, sports tourism, health and wellbeing tourism Issues will be explored in terms of growth of industry, local and global trends and future prospects. Key consumer demographics, behaviour and major consumer trends will also be critically explored External PESTLE factors shaping concept/ issue under focus including; socio-economic, technological, political and regulatory, and environmental-sustainability issues will be identified and discussed . The challenges of managing and operating within this sector along with issues such as tourism, hospitality and events futures and the demise of tourism Conclusion summarising the important learning points regarding these three high growth areas within the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

The module will also include one presentation workshop, one presentation event (exam) and one assessment (case-study) workshop.

Learning Outcomes

• 1. Develop a critical understanding of key and current contemporary issues facing industries and organisations within travel, tourism and hospitality

• 2. Develop a critical and considered understanding of Travel, Tourism, Hospitality and Events futures

• 3. Understand key contemporary issues in terms of changing consumer demand, behaviour & demographics and how this is affecting and shaping the growth (or shrinking) of specific sectors within travel, tourism, events and hospitality.

• 4. Explain key contemporary issues in terms of supply; including PESTLE factors, affected markets; key global and local markets and industry trends pertaining to issues explored within the module

• 5. Understand key implications for international business/ management leadership within travel, tourism and hospitality industries