Assignment Overview:
The assignment will enable students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles and practices of tourism and society. The essay theme is ‘What are the impacts of tourism on society?’
This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following module learning outcomes:
- LO 1: Understand and explain sociological theories, principles and practices related to tourism and society.
- LO 2: Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts, including of tourism and society and how different socio-cultural, political, and economic contexts influence principles and practices of sustainability.
Assignment Task and Requirements
The interrelationship of tourism and society
Prepare a 2,000-word essay that demonstrates your understanding of the theories, principles and practices of tourism and society.
Introduction (300 words)
A discussion of the dynamic interrelationship between tourism and society – why is this topic important for the development of tourism as an industry and society now and in the future?
To provide the discussion, you should
- provide an overview of the aims of the essay,
- outline the interrelationship between tourism and society through an investigation of relevant sociological theories, principles, and practices, (it is beneficial to give a definition of sociology, and to identify different socio-cultural, political, and economic contextual influences on the of sustainability of tourism)
- showcase your understanding of the interaction and interdependence of people, places, and processes in the tourism sector.
First core section (500 words)
Evaluate the economic impacts of tourism on the society:
An evaluation of the economic impacts of tourism on society – to what extent the tourism sustainability is crucial to the economic development in the society?
To provide the evaluation, you should
- consolidate research evidence and statistical data to showcase the economic impacts of tourism (you may also make a comparison between tourism and other sectors),
- categorise different economic impacts (e.g., positive and negative, direct and indirect, etc.),
- comment on the overall economic impacts.
In addition to research evidence and statistical data, students are also expected to apply relevant theories and concepts.
Second core section (500 words)
Evaluate other impacts of tourism on the society:
An evaluation of impacts of tourism other than economic ones on society – what are the holistic impacts of tourism to the health of the entire society?
To provide the evaluation, you should
- consolidate research evidence and statistical data to showcase various impacts of tourism (other than economic impacts, such as socio-cultural, political, and environmental),
- categorise different impacts (e.g., positive and negative, direct and indirect, etc.),
- comment on the overall impacts.
In addition to research evidence and statistical data, students are also expected to apply relevant theories and concepts.
Third core section (400 words)
Anticipate the future development of the interrelationship between tourism and society:
Outline possible scenarios of future tourism and society – how may the interrelationship between tourism and society evolve in the future?
To provide the anticipation, you should
- consolidate research findings to outline possible scenarios of tourism development in the future,
- comment and explain the overall impacts in those scenarios.
You may draw research findings from academic studies as well as industrial reports. In addition, relevant theories such as the tourism life cycle can be useful to explain for your comments.
Conclusion (300 words)
Give conclusive remarks:
Consolidate your key findings and give overall conclusive remarks – to what extent the tourism sector will continue to be crucial to the entire society? Is it worthy?
To provide the remarks, you should
- pick several key (NOT all) findings, defend your choice by explaining their importance,
- comment and explain your opinions about the future of the interrelationship between tourism and society,
- comment on the value of continual monitoring the interrelationship.