Order Description
MA TOURISM MANAGEMENT

MODULE: RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT

Introduction

The requirement for tourism and event businesses to operate sustainably, in the broadest sense, is now stronger than ever and for aspiring professionals, grounding in responsible practice has become a necessity. This module explores the founding principles of ‘responsibility’ in events and tourism management and considers the range of contexts for sustainable practice from both an industry and stakeholder perspective. Domestic and international examples are used in order to illustrate the different contexts and applications.

The focus is therefore divided into four aspects: responsible business practice; improving the quality of life of host communities; conserving the local environment and local culture; and sustainable design. Students will gain detailed subject knowledge and understanding on the planning and implementation of responsible practices and also be encouraged to develop their evaluative skills when analysing existing policy and practice.

WEEKLY TOPICS

1.Responsible management of tourism and events
A look at strategy and policy
Key reading:
Goodwin, H. (2011) Taking Responsibility for Tourism, Oxford : Goodfellow
2.Responsible nature-based tourism

Key reading:
Spenceley, A. (2008) Responsible Tourism : critical issues for conservation and development, London : Earthscan
3. Responsible Event Management
An exploration of the development of responsible management in event operations across the sectors of the event industry.
Key reading:
Laws, C. (2011) Responsible Entertainment: ‘greening’ festivals and entertainment events. In: B. Walmsley, ed. Key Issues in the Arts and Entertainment Industry, Oxford: Goodfellow
Musgrave, J. and Raj, R. (2009) Introduction to a Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Events. In R. Raj and J. Musgrave (eds) Event Management and Sustainability, Wallingford: Cabi, pp. 1-12.

4. Legacy building, including iso and british stadards (cl)
The concept of legacy has come to dominate certain discourses of sustainable event management, particularly in the sport and mega-event context. This session will critique the use of legacy planning as a strategic management tool, and consider how such actions tie into other aspects of event and tourism planning.
Key reading:
https://www.iso.org/iso/iso20121
https://www.iso.org/iso/sustainable_events_iso_2012.pdf
https://www.juliesbicycle.com/

Urban ecotourism and theming cities (hf)
Destination features and processes
Key reading:
TBC

5.Local-level responsible tourism and regeneration (hf)
Tourism as a development tool in South Africa

Key reading:
Frey, N. and George, R. (2010) Responsible tourism management: The missing link between business owners’ attitudes and behaviour in the Cape Town tourism industry, Tourism Management, 31(5) 621-628

6. Community engagement and community-based tourism (HF)
Ways in which local communities can be included in tourism and events

Key reading:
TBC

7. Introduction to corporate social responsibility (hf)
What is CSR? Definitions, classifications and characteristics
Guest speaker TBC

8. Sustainable design for tourism and events (cl)
This session explores how sustainable design has impacted on the development and management of tourism and events, from the large-scale master planning of major capital developments through to the delivery of small-scale community projects and micro-enterprises. We will draw on examples of tourism and events management practice as well as wider landscape and built environment architectural perspectives.
Key reading:
https://assemblestudio.co.uk/
https://queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/our-story/transforming-east-london/sustainability
https://queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/our-story/transforming-east-london/creating-a-new-urban-park
Koukiasa, M., 2011. Sustainable facilities management within event venues.Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 3(3), pp.217-228.https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17554211111142185
Beer, A., & Higgins, Cathy. (2000). Environmental planning for site development : A manual for sustainable local planning and design. (2nd ed. / Anne R. Beer and Catherine Higgins ed.). London: Spon.
Proctor, R. (2015) (ed) The Sustainable Design Book https://proquest.safaribooksonline.com.ezproxy.westminster.ac.uk/book/design/9781780677248
Farr, D. (2008). Sustainable urbanism : Urban design with nature (A Wiley book on sustainable design). Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. https://www.dawsonera.com/abstract/9781118174883
Jones, M. (2014) Sustainable Event Management

9. Current issues and recent debates (cl)
Topics which are the subject of current discussions in the academic world and in the media more generally

Key reading:
This session will partly be informed by the resources generated by the group – please research and provide relevant and interesting articles to start the discussion. A full list of sources will then be provided after the session.

REPORT

You are required to write a 2,500 word individual report on the following:

Using an example from the literature, explain the ways in which a tourism destination or an event could be managed in a more responsible manner. You should make at least one recommendation for each impact area (environment, community and economy). These recommendations should be set out in managerial language and should have criteria for measuring improvement.

You should make reference to relevant policies and regulations and should offer critical advice to destination managers or event organisers.

In all cases, you must choose a suitable example to use as a case study. This should be an example taken from the academic journals, textbooks, trade press or online sources but must be sufficiently detailed to enable you to discuss the criteria above in detail.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The report is assessed according to the following criteria:
1. Knowledge and understanding: Evidence of a thorough investigation, use of academically credible sources, and a sound knowledge of the topic.
2. Analysis: Well focused on the topic, analytical rather than descriptive, with sound conclusions drawn from arguments and data, but with evidence of creativity.
3. Structure and organisation: Logically structured and clearly argued.
4. Standard of presentation: Information and ideas presented in a clear and reasoned manner.