PP2- Introduction to Tourism Management

Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Management - Lesson 2: The Phenomenon of Contemporary Tourism

• Contemporary tourism is a social, cultural, and economic phenomenon.
• Tourists stay at least one night at the destination; excursionists stay less than 24 hours.
• Early travel was driven by religious, commercial, military, and leisure purposes.
• The Grand Tour was an educational journey for European aristocrats in the 17th-19th centuries.
• The Industrial Revolution improved transportation and increased the income of the middle class, boosting mass tourism.
• Improvements in working conditions, including paid holidays, increased tourism activity.
• Thomas Cook was a pioneer who established the travel agencies and organized tours.
• Trains made travel more accessible, helping develop modern tourism.
• Tourism institutions, organizations, and associations promote tourism.

Impacts of Tourism

• Economic Impacts (Positive):

  • Job creation
  • Income generation (direct and indirect)
  • Economic contribution to the balance of payments

• Economic Impacts (Negative):

  • Price inflation (for tourists and residents)
  • Insecure job market (seasonality, precarious contracts)
  • Infrastructure costs
  • Economic overdependence

• Socio-Cultural Impacts (Positive):

  • Intercultural contact
  • Revalorization of identity symbols and traditions
  • Preservation of traditional lifestyles

• Socio-Cultural Impacts (Negative):

  • Increase in crime rates
  • Loss of public spaces ("ghost villages")
  • Erosion in relationships (forced expulsion of residents, changes in the local commercial network)

• Environmental Impacts (Positive):

  • Incentive for conservation and restoration of natural and cultural environments
  • Economic gains to finance conservation
  • Heritage seen as a potential income source
  • Tourism as part of protection policies

• Environmental Impacts (Negative):

  • Direct impacts on flora and fauna (pollution, waste)
  • Water consumption
  • Impacts on landscapes
  • Tourist mobility (CO2 production)

Technological Impacts

• Technological innovation creates more inclusive travel experiences.
• Artificial intelligence, big data, and other applications are revolutionizing the tourism sector.

Group Activities

• The activities focus on discovering main impacts of tourism and the incidence of technology in the tourism sector.
  • Students will discuss economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts.
  • The activity also explores technological trends.

Explore the social, cultural, and economic aspects of contemporary tourism in this lesson. Discover its historical evolution from early travel motivations to the impact of the Industrial Revolution. Learn about the key figures and institutions that shaped modern tourism and its positive economic effects.