TI 331 - Geography of Tourism And Recreation

Module Credit:		5 ECTS
Lecturer:		Dr. Mary Cawley
Office:		117 Geography, AC
Phone:		00 353 91 2171
Lectures:		Tue 4 - 5 IT250; Wed 1 - 2 IT125 Ground floor
		A detailed reading list will be available at lectures.
Office Hours:		posted on door
Email:		mary.cawleynuigalway.ie

Course Description

Tourism and recreation are interrelated phenomena and have inherently geographical dimensions. Both involve movement of people between places (albeit on different scales) and multi dimensional environmental resource uses which incorporate cultural, economic, physical and social elements. Growing levels of disposable income, significant reductions in the cost of international travel and increased leisure time, particularly in contemporary western societies, have contributedto increase the flows of tourists internationally and the demand for recreational experiences. World Tourism Organisation figures show that tourism is one of the fastest growing service sectors internationally and its influence extends well beyond the economic realm. Society, culture, the built and natural environments are also impacted on to varying degrees. This course discusses key concepts relating to the geographies of contemporary tourism and recreation and provides examples from a range of international contexts. The concepts and examples are explored through the medium of seven major themes and associated sub-themes: the relationships between tourism and recreation; the demand for tourism and recreation; the supply of tourism and recreation facilities; performance and performativity for and by tourists; commodification for tourism and recreation; issues of sustainability; policy and planning issues.
		Tourism or recreation?

Objectives

The course has three main objectives:

• To examine key features of contemporary tourism and recreation, as they find expression in
  particular places, and to locate them within broader processes of local-global interaction;
• To employ a series of well-recognized concepts that relate to tourism and recreation in order to
  achieve a more advanced level of understanding of the spatial processes at work;
• To support individual study and research by providing a knowledge base and understanding of
  the role of theory and concepts in the context of the geography of tourism and recreation.

Learning outcomes

• Critical awareness of tourism and recreation as spatial practices
• Critical awareness of the role of theory in providing understanding of the spatial dimensions of tourism and recreation
• Capacities for individual study and research, including presentation of a reasoned argument and
  application of concepts and theory in written formats. 
  

Module credit: 5 credits; 60% examination; 40% for an essay (including a 300 word description of contribution to group preparation for the fieldtrip) to be submitted to Dr S Comer Room 108 by 12.30 p.m. on Thursday 25th October 2012. 

Useful introductory texts available in the Library

Hall, C.M. and Page, S.J. 2006. The Geography of Tourism and Recreation: environment, place and space. London: Routledge [Course text]

Shaw, G. and Williams, A.M. 2002. Critical Issues in Tourism: a geographical perspective. Oxford: Blackwell

Shaw, G. and Williams, A.M. 2004. Tourism and Tourism Spaces. London: Sage

Urry, J. (2002) (2nd ed.) The Tourist Gaze. London: Sage

ARTICLES IN ACADEMIC JOURNALS, WHICH WILL BE ACCESSIBLE ON-LINE, AND
ARE ESSENTIAL SOURCES FOR THIS COURSE

Lecture Topics

Lectures 1-2: Introduction and course description

Lectures 3-5: The geography of tourism and recreation

Lectures 6-8: Demand for recreation and tourism


Lectures 9-11: Supply of recreation and tourism

Lectures 12-14: Performance and performativity

Lectures 15-17: Commodification for tourism

Lectures 18-20: Sustainability in recreation and tourism

Lectures 21-23: Policy and planning for tourism

Lecture 24: Overview 
 

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