27185 The Tourist Experience

Subject level: Undergraduate

Handbook description

This subject introduces conceptual and methodological approaches to the study of the experiences of the tourist. It seeks to develop an understanding of the tourist experience as distinct from the 'at home' leisure experience by exploring the unique sociocultural and physical environment of the tourist. A focus is diversity of experience and social inclusion. The subject discusses approaches to managing tourist experiences. The content of this subject is largely based on contributions from tourism studies, cultural geography, sociology, environmental psychology and social psychology.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. recognise the unique qualitative differences which distinguish the tourist experience from 'at home' leisure experiences
2. understand the social construction and diversity of the tourist experience
3. comprehend the embodied nature of the tourist experience
4. relate tourists as consumers to the supply of goods and services specific to tourists
5. understand the relevance and importance of knowledge of the tourist experience for management and policy making in tourism.

Contribution to graduate profile

The Tourist Experience builds on an understanding of the tourist as a distinctive type of leisure participant. It examines the tourist as the central and active element in the phenomenon of tourism and studies the social construction and embodiment of the tourist experience. As tourists constitute the market for tourism services, knowledge of psychological and sociocultural factors underpinning their experience is central to the effective management and marketing of tourism.

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching and learning strategies include: formal lectures, audio-visual presentations, tutorials and guest lectures. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• Conceptual and methodological approaches to the study of the tourist experience
• The embodied tourist experience
• Tourist motivation
• Tourist diversity and social inclusion
• Tourists' interactions with tourists and hosts
• Tourists and the host culture
• Tourists and the physical environment
• Tourist satisfaction
• Management of the tourist experience

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Tutorial exercises and Fieldwork (Group)

Assessment item 2: Essay (Individual)

Assessment item 3: Examination (Individual)