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Sustainable Tourism

Code: 101213
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Tourism OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Monica Molina Hoyo
Email :
monica.molina@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

There are not prerequisites.

Objectives

The course is intended as an introduction to the concept of sustainability and sustainable development in the field of tourism. The analysis will cover the principles of sustainable tourism and its practical application from the point of view of the tourism destinations and tourism businesses as well. One of the basic goals will be to better know the theoretical and practical aspects of environmental management in the tourism sector, as well as issues related to economic and social sustainability of tourism development.

At the end of the course the student will have to:

1. Understand the concept of sustainable development and how to express its application to the field of tourism.

2. Know the principles of sustainable tourism and the different applications of this concept to the tourism sector.

3. Know the main impacts that tourism exerts on the environment, economy and society of the destinations and what are the main tools to manage and reduce the negative impacts.

4. Know and be able to describe the existing instruments for environmental improvement of tourist destinations and businesses.

5. Be able to propose best practices for sustainability in the tourism sector.

6. Understand tourism as a tool for economic and social development, which can contribute to economic improvement and reduction of social inequalities at the destination level.

Learning outcomes

  1. Develop a capacity for independent learning.
  2. Use communication techniques at all levels.
  3. Plan, organise and coordinate a work team, creating synergies and showing empathy.
  4. Work in a team.
  5. Plan and manage activities on the basis of quality and sustainability.
  6. Behave responsibly towards the environment.
  7. Identify the factors that determine tourism development.
  8. Identify and relate tourism resources and regional resources.
  9. Analyse elements of advanced geography, of regional tourism resources, and of existing methodologies and techniques and impacts of the tourism system.
  10. Identify the environment as a tourist heritage and determine its characteristics.
  11. Identify and assess the social impact of tourism.
  12. Identify and evaluate the new forms of tourism: ecotourism, cultural tourism, etc.
  13. Single out the most suitable instruments for applying sustainable tourism policies.
  14. Identify public entities' policies on tourism regulation and planning.

Contents


 


1. Introduction


1.1. Definition and evolution of the concept of sustainable tourism


1.2. Fundamental principles and dimensions (environmental, social, economic, cultural).


1.3. Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)


1.4. Regenerative tourism


2. Tourism and Environmental Sustainability


2.1. Climate change and tourism


2.2. Tourism's ecological footprint: resource consumption and waste generation


2.3. Biodiversity


2.4. Best practices


3. Tourism and Economic Sustainability


3.1. Creation of decent employment and local empowerment


3.2. Circular Economy


3.3. Best practices


4. Tourism and Social Sustainability


4.1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion


4.2. Local communities


4.3. Natural and cultural heritage


4.4. Best practices


5. Tourism Sustainability of a Destination


5.1. Tourism sustainability plan


5.2. Sustainability certifications and labels


5.3. Sustainable tourism businesses


5.4. Case study


 


 



Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Theoretical classes 40 1.6 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Tutorials 2 0.08 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Classroom activities 5 0.2 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Study 60 2.4 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Assignments 40 1.6 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
 

Methodology
The course has three parallel operational dynamics. It's important to note that this course has a high practical dedication in the classroom, therefore, attendance is mandatory for its follow-up.

a) Methodology for the theoretical part of the course
In class, the theoretical content will be presented with various visual aids, and work will be based on the analysis of cases and the study of national and international best practices.

b) Methodology for the practical part of the course
The course will include a significant practical component, based on a group project that will be developed throughout the course in the classroom. Additionally, practical assignments, expert conferences, and field trips will be conducted.

c) Methodology for the Virtual Campus operation
The Virtual Campus platform will be used as a means to share documentation and information about the course and to submit practical assignments and the group project.

Note: 15 minutes of one class, within the calendar established by the center/degree program, will be reserved for students to complete the surveys for evaluating faculty performance and course/module evaluation.

 

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Exam 20% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Practical assignments 40% 1.5 0.06 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Group Project 40% 1.5 0.06 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14


Continuous Assessment:

  • 40% Group Project: Completion of a group assignment that will be developed in parallel with the sessions to implement the knowledge acquired in class. (30% of the grade will be joint for all members of the group, 10% will be individual and will correspond to the oral presentation).
  • 40% In-class Practical Work: Classes will be eminently practical, requiring presentations, co-creation of content, and case analysis.
  • 20% Basic Knowledge Exam: A final exam to assess basic knowledge in sustainable tourism.

To be eligible for averaging the final grade, a minimum of 4 out of 10 must be obtained in each assessed part.

Final Assessment:

  • 50% Theoretical Exam: This assessment will cover all course material, including theory and all complementary information found on the Virtual Campus (videos, regulations, expert sessions, additional documentation, etc.).
  • 50% Individual Project: Completion of the group project, but individually.

If the final grade does not reach a 5, the student has another opportunity to pass the course through a retake exam that will be held on the date set by the center. In this exam, 50% of the grade corresponding to the theory can be recovered. The project is not recoverable.


The course will be graded as NOT EVALUABLE if the student attends less than half of the evaluation activities and/or does not take the final exam.


This subject allows the use of AI technologies exclusively for support tasks such as bibliographic or content-based searches and text correction or translations.

The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and outcome of the activity.


Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, or the work may even be awarded a zero. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.

In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.

Bibliography

  • Bellato, L., Frantzeskaki, N., & Nygaard, C. A. (2022). Regenerative tourism: A conceptual framework leveraging theory and practice. Tourism Geographies, 25(4), 1026–1046.
  • Cave, J., Dredge, D., & Thompson, L. (2022). Regenerative Tourism and Development: Concepts, Contested Practices and Emerging Futures. Routledge.
  • Fennell, D. A. (2020). Sustainable Tourism: Principles, Contexts and Practices (3rd ed.). Routledge.
  • Fusté-Forné, F & Hussain, A. (Eds.). (2025). The Routledge Handbook of Regenerative Tourism. Routledge.
  • Goodwin, H. (2018). Responsible Tourism: Using Tourism for Sustainable Development (2nd ed.). Goodfellow Publishers.
  • Hall, C. M. (2019). Tourism Planning: Policies, Processes and Relationships (3rd ed.). Routledge.
  • Hall, C. M., Scott, D., & Gössling, S. (2013). The primacy of climate change for sustainable international tourism. Sustainable Development, 21(2), 112–121.
  • Higgins-Desbiolles, F. (2018). Sustainable tourism: Sustaining tourism or something more? Tourism Management Perspectives, 25, 157–160.
  • Hutchins, G., & Storm, L. (2019). Regenerative Leadership: The DNA of Life-Affirming 21st Century Organizations and Economies. Wordzworth Publishing.
  • Jamal, T. B., & Everingham, P. (Eds.). (2019). Community-Based Tourism: Participatory Approaches to Responsible Tourism Development. Routledge.
  • Miller, G., & Twining-Ward, L. (2005). Monitoring for a Sustainable Tourism Transition: The Challenge of Developing and Using Indicators. CABI.
  • Morrison, A. M., & Buhalis, D. (Eds.). (2024). Routledge Handbook of Trends and Issues in Tourism Sustainability, Planning and Development, Management, and Technology. Routledge.
  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2020). Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism. OECD Publishing.
  • Pollock, A. (2019). Flourishing Beyond Sustainability: Regenerative Tourism in a Living Systems Era.
  • REDS (Red Española para el Desarrollo Sostenible) & RTI (Instituto de Turismo Responsable). (2019). Guía para un Turismo Sostenible: Retos del sector turístico ante la Agenda 2030.
  • Rieradevall Pons, J., & Gasol Martínez, C. (2023). Economía circular. El camino hacia la sostenibilidad. Servei de Publicacions de la UAB.
  • Scott, D., Gössling, S., & Hall, C. M. (2016). Tourism and Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptations and Mitigation. Routledge.
  • Scheyvens, R., & Cheer, J. M. (Eds.). (2026). Tourism, the SDGs, and Partnerships. Routledge.
  • Wahl, D. C. (2016). Designing Regenerative Cultures. Triarchy Press.
  • Yeoman, I., McMahon-Beattie, U., Fields, K., Albrecht, J., & Meethan, K. (Eds.). (2015). Tomorrow's Tourist: Scenarios and Trends. Routledge.


Software

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Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 English first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 2 English first semester morning-mixed