EG130-4-FY-CO:
The Business of Travel and Tourism
2026/27
Edge Hotel School
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 02 July 2027
15
15 April 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA N802 International Tourism Management,
BA N803 International Tourism Management (including Year Abroad),
FDA N801 International Tourism Management
This module introduces students to the operational and structural foundations of the travel and tourism industry. Tourism is a diverse, high-growth sector within the wider service economy. The module examines the key components of the industry, including transportation, accommodation, food and beverage, recreation, travel agencies, online travel agents (OTAs), and tour operators. Students will explore how these interrelated sectors operate collectively to deliver tourism products and services.
The aim of this module is:
- To introduce students to the operational and structural foundations of the global travel and tourism industry, deepening students’ ability to critically evaluate the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of tourism.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure and organisation of the global travel and tourism industry.
- Evaluate the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of the global tourism industry.
- Analyse the development and significance of tourism products and services within contemporary tourism markets.
- Identify and examine the function of key intermediaries in the distribution and provision of travel and tourism services, including both traditional and digital channels.
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure and organisation of the global travel and tourism industry
- Define the scope of the global tourism system and its components.
- Recognise global, national, and local public and private sector roles in tourism including key organisations (e.g., United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC))
2. Evaluate the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of the global tourism industry.
- Understand the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts, i.e., employment, GDP contribution, multiplier effect, cultural exchange, host-visitor conflict, commodification, overtourism, carbon footprint of tourism.
- Identify various types of responsible tourism and ethical considerations
3. Analyse the development and significance of tourism products and services within contemporary tourism markets.
- Explore various types of tourism products (hotels, transportation, visitor attractions) and the tourism product life cycle.
- Understand the experience economy and customer expectations including the 5A’s of tourism products (Accommodation, Accessibility, Activities, Amenities, and Attraction).
- Explore branding and destination image of tourism destinations.
4 Identify and examine the function of key intermediaries in the distribution and provision of travel and tourism services, including traditional and digital channels.
- Explore the distribution channels in tourism including the role of travel agents, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and tour operators such as Booking.com.
- Understand the role and functions of Global Distribution Systems (GDS) (e.g., Amadeus IT Group).
This module will be delivered via:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshops
Students will be expected to access and prepare for such sessions using the EHS online virtual learning environment and resources. Where relevant, both operational and management information derived from the Wivenhoe House will be used in academic sessions, as will observations from your work experience. Other tourism and hospitality organisations will be used to contextualize theory and illustrate best practice across industries to supplement learning.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Yes
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
Edge Hotel School
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