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TSM141

Understanding Tourism

This course provides an understanding of tourism, exploring its phenomenon, concepts, and definitions. It examines the characteristics of tours, tourist destinations, and different forms of tourism. The course also delves into the changing trends in tourism, motivations of tourists, and the impact of tourism on society and the environment. Special interest tourism, alternative tourism, and historical development of tourism are also discussed.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
40 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assignments
  • Final Examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of TSM141, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

TSM141 · UNIT 1 TOURISM PHENOMEN NON

A substantial proportion of the population engages in goihg away on holiday. Hence, new socialized forms of the provisions for goods and services are developed in order to cater to the mass character of tourism practices. The tourist is therefore, different from the traveler, because travel has an individual character whereas tourism has a mass character.

What you should be able to do

  1. Define tourism and explain its characteristics
  2. Understand the different types and forms of tourism
  3. Analyze the motivations of tourists and their impact on the industry
  4. Evaluate the role of tourism in economic and social development
  5. Assess the environmental impacts of tourism and promote sustainable practices
  6. Explain the historical evolution of tourism and its cultural significance

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Tourism Officer
  • Travel Consultant
  • Hotel Manager
  • Tour Operator
  • Event Planner
Where it is applied
  • Hospitality
  • Travel
  • Event Management
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Recreation

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 4:

    Unit 4: Special Interest

    Understanding the dissolving boundaries between high and low cultures requires critical analysis of contemporary cultural forms.

  • Module 5:

    Unit 5: Historical Evaluation and Development (1)

    Analyzing historical events and their impact on tourism development requires interdisciplinary knowledge and critical assessment of various sources.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 39 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1:
    • Unit 1: Tourism Phenomenon · 3 hours

      Read the introduction to understand the basic concepts of tourism.. Define tourism and explain its characteristics.. Outline the reasons for the growth of tourism..

  2. Week 2Module 1:
    • Unit 1: Tourism Phenomenon · 3 hours

      Understand the different motivations that determine the increasing diversity of tourism.. Understand the origin and development of Mass Tourism and Package holiday.. Mention and discuss those things that motivate people to leave their normal place of work and abode for temporary visits to other places..

  3. Week 3Module 2:
    • Unit 2: Tours · 3 hours

      Know what a tour is and appreciate how the purpose of visit determines the nature of the tour.. Understand the tourist destination and the different types of tourism.. Mention and discuss 5 of such factors that determine the time and period that a tour includes..

  4. Week 4Module 2:
    • Unit 2: Tours · 3 hours

      Understand the forms and types of tourism.. Mention 5 motivating factors/purpose for any kind of visit.. What effect does Possession, Property, Wealth, Egoism, etc. has on modern tourism?.

  5. Week 5Module 3:
    • Unit 3: The Changing Trend · 3 hours

      Outline the reasons for the growth of tourism.. Define the different motivations that determine the increasing diversity of tourism.. Explain the role of Technology in the development of tourism in the early days..

  6. Week 6Module 3:
    • Unit 3: The Changing Trend · 3 hours

      Understand the origin and development of Mass Tourism and package holidays.. Explain what is meant by the 4S formula in Tourism.. What effects do you think visiting friends and relations has on hospitality industry - the hostels'?.

  7. Week 7Module 4:
    • Unit 4: Special Interest · 3 hours

      Analyze the factors that influence the demand for tourism, as well as the decision-making process for individuals.. Determine the relationship between motivation, destination and tourist product.. Discuss the requirement of a special interest tourist..

  8. Week 8Module 4:
    • Unit 4: Special Interest · 3 hours

      Advance 2 reasons for a campaign for Real Holidays in Britain.. Analyze the factors that influence the demand for tourism, as well as the decision-making process for individuals.. Determine the relationship between motivation, destination and tourist product..

  9. Week 9Module 5:
    • Unit 5: Historical Evaluation and Development (1) · 3 hours

      Understand broadly how the history of tourism came to be written.. Familiarize yourself with the main source used for writing the history of tourism.. List all the sources used to know about the ancient period..

  10. Week 10Module 5:
    • Unit 5: Historical Evaluation and Development (1) · 3 hours

      Enumerate how many periods that can be established in the history of tourism.. Why is it necessary to study the history of tourism?. What benefit do we derive from the introduction of statistical data in the history of tourism?.

  11. Week 11Module 5:
    • Unit 6: Historical Evaluation and Development (1) · 3 hours

      Explain the characteristics associated with different religions during the pilgrimage.. Mention 3 characteristics of silk route.. Trade and pilgrimage played traffic in the modern times..

  12. Week 12Module 5:
    • Unit 6: Historical Evaluation and Development (1) · 3 hours

      The growth of modem technology, rising incomes and modem entrepreneurship contributed to the emergence of modern tourism.. Explain the characteristics associated with different religions during the pilgrimage.. Mention 3 characteristics of silk route..

  13. Week 13Module 5:
    • Final Revision · 3 hours

      Review all course materials and notes.. Focus on key concepts and definitions.. Prepare for final examination..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create concept maps linking Units 1-3 tourism concepts
  • Review definitions of different tourism types from Units 2 and 4
  • Practice applying the 4S formula from Unit 3 to destination examples
  • Analyze case studies of sustainable tourism from Unit 4
  • Summarize key historical periods and their impact on tourism from Units 5 and 6

Questions students ask about this course

What is TSM141 about?

This course provides an understanding of tourism, exploring its phenomenon, concepts, and definitions. It examines the characteristics of tours, tourist destinations, and different forms of tourism. The course also delves into the changing trends in tourism, motivations of tourists, and the impact of tourism on society and the environment. Special interest tourism, alternative tourism, and historical development of tourism are also discussed.

How many units does TSM141 have?

TSM141, Understanding Tourism, has 4 units across 1 module, over 60 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is TSM141?

TSM141 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Social Sciences.

Is TSM141 hard?

TSM141 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does TSM141 take to study?

About 40 hours of study, spread across its 4 units.

How is TSM141 assessed?

TSM141 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.

What can I do with TSM141?

Tourism Officer, Travel Consultant, Hotel Manager, Tour Operator and Event Planner.

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