Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Course profile

Economics for Tourism, Hospitality & Events (TOUR1004)

Study period
Sem 2 2025
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Business School

This course introduces foundation economic concepts as they apply to the broader tourism sector which includes the hospitality and event industries. Adopting a macro perspective, the course examines demand and supply, market structures, the influence of economic change on the sector, and the role of the tourism, hospitality and event industries in the economy. Economic concepts that apply to the tourism sector are explored including economic impact assessment and environmental economics.

This course is a foundation for your future career in the private or public sector, where an understanding of economics is essential for effective tourism business or policy management. The course will develop your capability in using selected economic concepts and analysis approaches, applied to tourism. The first part of the course delivers fundamental principles and concepts, such asᅠthe forces of demand and supply, market structures and the issues of externalities and public goods. The second part of the course deals with theᅠinfluence of economic change on tourism and the role of tourism in the economy. This section covers some useful concepts and tools, including economic contributions of tourism, cost benefit analysis and environmental economics. Various examples will be used to demonstrate how economic concepts and principles are applied to tourism.

Course requirements

Assumed background

It is assumed that students have no prior experience with the discipline of economics.

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

TOUR2010

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Tutor

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Please note: Teaching staff doᅠnotᅠhave access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:

  • Full name
  • Student ID
  • Course Code

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to introduce students to the key concepts of economics as a basis for tourism management and decision making.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Understand key economic principles as they apply to the tourism sector, including hospitality and events industries

LO2.

Analyse the options available to tourism, hospitality and event organisations under different market structures

LO3.

Evaluate the effects of economic conditions and change on tourism, hospitality and event sectors

LO4.

Interpret the economic contribution and impact of tourism, hospitality and event activities to the broader economy

LO5.

Communicate evidenced based arguments and strategic recommendations to stakeholders through teamwork

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Performance Test bank exercises
  • Online
15%

15/08/2025 - 10/10/2025

Weekly from Week 3 to Week 10.

Examination In-Semester Examination
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
40% Individual

10/10/2025 10:00 am

During the lecture time in Week 10.

Presentation Tourism industry economic presentation
  • Team or group-based
  • In-person
45% Team

29/10/2025 - 31/10/2025

At tutorials during Week 13

Assessment details

Test bank exercises

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Performance
Weight
15%
Due date

15/08/2025 - 10/10/2025

Weekly from Week 3 to Week 10.

Task description

The test-bank exercises, consisting of 7 chapters, are designed to assist students with self-practice and self-learning. Students can choose which chapters they want to complete and submit. Multiple attempts per chapter are allowed.

Students will be awarded 3 points upon completing one chapter (provided more than 80% of the questions have been answered correctly). A maximum of 15 points for this assessment in the final grade is awarded if students complete at least five chapters throughout the semester.

A test bank, consisting of practical questions that integrate economic concepts and tourism issues, is adopted to assist students with self-practice and self-learning. It includes (1) basic questions that allow students to better comprehend the theory and concepts, and (2) advanced applied questions that discuss the impacts of COVID-19, sustainability, and global mega trends on tourism, businesses, and policies.

Students need to engage with the test bank weekly, starting from week 3 to week 10. Each weekly test bank, consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions and two to three open-ended questions, is designed to align with the lecture taught that week. This allows students to review the concepts and test their knowledge by working with the questions. Correct answers will be provided once students submit theirs.

AI Statement

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Please see BB for details

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

In-Semester Examination

  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
40% Individual
Due date

10/10/2025 10:00 am

During the lecture time in Week 10.

Other conditions
Time limited, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

The mid-semester exam is scheduled for week 10, including 10-15 multiple-choice questions and 4-5 open-ended questions. It is an in-person exam scheduled during the lecture time (10am~12pm). The exam will be invigilated by the lecturer and two tutors.

AI Statement

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Exam details

Planning time no planning time minutes
Duration 90 minutes
Calculator options

No calculators permitted

Open/closed book Open book examination - any written or printed material is permitted; material may be annotated
Materials

No electronic resources on computers or smartphones are allowed

Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Please follow the guidelines on BB.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Tourism industry economic presentation

  • Team or group-based
  • In-person
Mode
Oral
Category
Presentation
Weight
45% Team
Due date

29/10/2025 - 31/10/2025

At tutorials during Week 13

Other conditions
Peer assessed.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

This project requires students to work as a team to apply economic principles to a practical tourism issue. It assesses (1) how much they have learned from the economic concepts and (2) their ability to apply them in addressing issues. This is a significant project and requires substantial work to deliver a satisfying output.

A speaker will present a talk on group dynamics, team appreciation, and conflict resolution prior to the presentation. Peer evaluation will be used to assess the relative contribution of each member at the end of the semester.

AI Statement

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.

A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Please follow the guidelines on BB.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 29

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

2 (Fail) 30 - 46

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

3 (Marginal Fail) 47 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Additional course grading information

Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.


Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Filter activity type by

Please select
Clear filters
Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1
Lecture

Introduction to economics and tourism

Explain the syllabus and walk through the basic definition of economics.

Week 2
Lecture

The tourism market and products

Explain the key characteristics of tourism markets, and the tourism sector.

Tutorial

Introduction to assessments

Discuss assessments and requirements.

Week 3
Lecture

Demand concepts

Explain the demand curve and factors that shift demand curve.

Tutorial

No class - Ekka Public Holida

Ekka Show Day - Wednesday 13 August 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes.

Week 4
Lecture

Supply concepts

Explain the supply curve and factors that influence supply.

Tutorial

Demand concepts

Work on questions regarding the demand concepts.

Week 5
Lecture

Market equilibrium

Explain how market forces determine price and quantity

Tutorial

Suppy concepts

Work on questions regarding the supply concepts.

Week 6
Lecture

Market structure

Explain the four market structures and the strategies

Tutorial

Market structure and equilibrium

Work on questions regarding the market structure and equilibrium.

Week 7
Lecture

Economic impact of tourism

Explain how tourism impacts a destination via different economic mechanisms.

Tutorial

Economic impact of tourism

Work on practicial questions regarding economic impacts of tourism.

Week 8
Lecture

Economic assessment of events

Explain tools for assessing the value of events

Tutorial

Economic assessment of events

Work on questions regarding the events assessments.

Week 9
Lecture

Environmental impact of tourism

Explain how tourism affects the environment and how to evaluate its impact.

Tutorial

Environmental impact of tourism

Work on questions related to tourism environemntal issues.

Mid Sem break
No student involvement (Breaks, information)

In-semester break

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

In-semester break

Week 10
Lecture

In-class exam

Tutorial

Assignment 3 discussion and consultation

King's Birthday - Monday 6 October 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes.

Week 11
Lecture

Teamwork dynamics

The Employability Team will deliver a guest lecture on teamwork dynamics to enhance students' capacity to collaborate effectively with their peers on group projects

Tutorial

Review the mid-semester exam

Review the mid-semester exam.

Week 12
Lecture

Sustainability

Explain how economics can be applied to address sustainaility issues in tourism.

Tutorial

Sustainability

Work on questions regarding tourism sustainability.

Week 13
Lecture

Course review & summary

Provide a summary of all topics covered in the semester.

Tutorial

Group presentation (Assignment 3)

Group presentation is arranged during the tutorial.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

  • Business School site
  • Exams and assessment advice
  • Program and course advice