Dr Lee Slaughter
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
This course introduces students to the characteristics, relationships, dynamics and complexity of the international tourism, hospitality and event industries. The course covers key topics such as definitions and concepts of tourism, hospitality and events; the nature and size of the tourism, hospitality and event industries; economic characteristics and employment outcomes; demand and supply aspects including the role of intermediaries, tourism operators, accommodation, food and beverage and events; and current trends and impacts. This course also enhances student employability by building critical thinking and academic writing skills.
This foundation course provides commencing postgraduate coursework students with the requisite knowledge of the tourism, hospitality and events industries to enable further postgraduate coursework studies within this area. Students are challenged throughout the course to understand the complexity of the tourism, hospitality and events industries and theﾠeconomic,ﾠsocial, cultural and environmental implications of tourist activity using international and Australian examples.
Sustainable Development Goals - UQ Business School is a proud supporter and Advanced Signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME). As part of the largest global collaboration between business schools and the UN, the school emphasises its role in empowering students to drive societal transformation through the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs highlight that a thriving economy relies on a healthy environment, aiming to balance economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection for a sustainable future.
Course requirements
Assumed background
There is no assumed background for this course. As TOUR7020 is a foundation course for the postgraduate coursework programs in tourism, hospitality and events, it is designed to provide an overview of concepts and theories for those students who do not have any background in this area. For those students whoﾠhave previously studied tourism, hospitality or events, TOUR7020 provides a 'refresher' of the key concepts. Additionally, the courseﾠintroduces students to the standards and expectations of postgraduate coursework study at The University of Queensland and helps students develop the requisite academic writing and research skills.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
TOUR7003
Restrictions
Students in the MTHEM(#24) program are not permitted to enrol in this course.
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have 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
Given its nature as a foundation course, TOUR7020 aims for students to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the key theories and concepts in tourism, hospitality and events. This knowledge will form a basis for future tourism, hospitality and event postgraduate coursework studies.ﾠEmployability is embedded in this course allowing students to build their critical thinking and academic writing skills.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify and analyse the impacts tourism, hospitality and events have on sustainability.
LO2.
Apply systems thinking to analyse the sustainability of a tourism, hospitality, event system.
LO3.
Develop and use critical thinking and academic writing skills to complete all assessment tasks.
LO4.
Collaboratively work in teams to prepare a report on a tourism, hospitality, event system.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Impact Identification | 25% 1200 words (excluding template headings) |
27/03/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Impact Analysis | 25% 1200 words (excluding template headings) |
1/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
System Report
|
50% 3500 words (excluding title page; executive summary; table of contents; reference list; appendices - if used) |
System Report 30/05/2025 2:00 pm Buddy Check 30/05/2025 5:00 pm Oral Defense |
Assessment details
Impact Identification
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25% 1200 words (excluding template headings)
- Due date
27/03/2025 2:00 pm
Task description
Task Description:
Note: Assessment Task 1(Impact Identification), Assessment Task 2 (Impact Analysis) and Assessment Task 3 (System Report) are related. The planning and feedback from Assessment Task 1 will be used by you to develop Assessment Task 2. Likewise, the planning and feedback from Assessment Task 2 will be used by you to develop Assessment Task 3.
Assessment Task 1 – Impact Identification
This is an individual task.
This assessment task is to be completed using the Impact Identification Template available on Blackboard.
To complete this template you will be required to:
- State your research question related to one aspect of either tourism OR hospitality OR events AND its impact on the sustainability of the host economy OR environment OR society/culture. Your topic cannot be related to service management, and it cannot be a case study. Research topics will be allocated in class early in the semester.
- Use your database searching skills (taught in class) to find three (3) or more academic journal articles published after 2014 that identify positive and/or negative impacts related to your research question. By using a range of articles you should be able to identify positive and negative impacts. If you only find positive or negative impacts then you will need to justify why this is the case.
- Use paraphrasing to summarise appropriate positive and negative impacts.
- Use APA7 referencing to identify the source(s) for each impact.
Note: Your research will ONLY be based on an analysis of available literature in the field - you will NOT be collecting primary data (doing 'empirical' research).
Format:
- Font size 11 point
- Font type - Calibri; Times New Roman; Arial
- Line spacing - 1.5 spacing
Use of AI/MT Technologies
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
Your completed Impact Identification Template must be submitted to Turnitin, which is accessed from Blackboard through the Assessment link.
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.
Impact Analysis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25% 1200 words (excluding template headings)
- Due date
1/05/2025 2:00 pm
Task description
Assessment Task 2: Impact Analysis
This is an individual task
Analyse the impacts you identified in your Impact Identification (Assessment Task 1) to determine two (2) underlying factors that influence whether your impacts are positive or negative.
Complete the Impact Analysis Template. This requires you to:
- State your research question from your Impact Identification (Assessment Task 1);
- Provide a 500 word referenced justification for each underlying factor you identify;
- Provide a 200 word answer to your research question.
Note: Your research will ONLY be based on an analysis of available literature in the field - you will NOT be collecting primary data (doing 'empirical' research).
Use of AI/MT technologies:
Artificial Intelligence (IT) 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.
Referencing: APA7
Formatting:
- Font size - 11 point
- Font type - Calibri; Times New Roman; Arial
- Line spacing - 1.5 spacing
Submission guidelines
Your completed Impact Analysis Template must be submitted to Turnitin, which is accessed from Blackboard through the Assessment link.
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.
System Report
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 50% 3500 words (excluding title page; executive summary; table of contents; reference list; appendices - if used)
- Due date
System Report 30/05/2025 2:00 pm
Buddy Check 30/05/2025 5:00 pm
Oral Defense
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
Task description
Due to your expertise in THE management, your team have been hired as consultants to prepare a System Report for the manager of a THE business. The THE business you will be preparing and writing the report for is the tourism OR hospitality OR event (T/H/E) business you have been working on in class. Your team is the group of students you were assigned to work with in class.
As a group:
- Prepare a report for the manager of your T/H/E business. Your report will be based on a tourism system developed for one (1) potential, or existing, target market for your T/H/E business. This is the system your group has been working on in class from Week 9 onwards.
- Include the following in your report:
- Title page
- Executive summary (overview of your whole report)
- Table of contents (use numbered headings)
- Introduction (explain why systems thinking is beneficial for your T/H/E business)
- 'Body' of your report (Do not use the heading 'body'. Use headings appropriate for your topic). In this section include:
- Diagram of your system
- Explanation of your system
- Relevance of sustainability for your system
- Conclusion (summary of the key take-away points for your T/H/E business manager)
- Recommendations (analyse the underlying factors identified from each group member's Impact Analysis (Assessment Task 2) to determine, and justify, three (3) strategies that your T/H/E business manager could implement to support/ encourage a sustainable system. Each recommendation should be approximately 200 words.).
- Reference list (at least 10 academic references published after 2014. These can include the sources used for your Impact Identification and Impact Analysis)
- Appendices (if needed)
Note: Your research will ONLY be based on an analysis of available literature in the field - you will NOT be collecting primary data (doing 'empirical' research). This means you can NOT contact your T/H/E business.
Use of AI/MT technologies:
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Translation (MT) technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Referencing: APA7
Formatting:
- Font size - 11 point
- Font type - Calibri; Times New Roman; Arial
- Line spacing - 1.5 spacing
Individual:
Peer Review
- Each member of the group will complete a peer review of each group member's contribution to the development and writing of the report. This will be completed on Buddy Check and it will be due three (3) hours after the submission date/time of the System Report.
- No marks are awarded for the Peer Review however, no marks will be awarded for the group's report until all peer reviews are completed and submitted by the group.
Oral Defense
- During the end of semester exam block each group member will be required to do an individual Oral Defense question and answer (Q&A) to demonstrate their understanding of their group's System Report. In this five (5) minute session each student will be required to provide a verbal response to a series of randomly allocated questions. The questions are designed to determine if the individual's understanding of the development of the report and its content is consistent with the standard of the report.
- No marks are awarded for the Oral Defense however, if the individual is unable to demonstrate a level of knowledge consistent with the mark awarded for the report then that individual's mark will be scaled down accordingly.
Submission guidelines
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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course 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
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
Introduction to tourism, hospitality and events What is THE? Exploring your Course Profile. |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Sustainability Sustainability - what is it? Assessment 1 explained. Student Central - how can we help you? |
Week 3 |
Seminar |
Advanced database searching and Referencing Advanced Database Searching workshop - location to be advised. APA7 Referencing explained. |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Sustainability: economic impacts and socio-cultural impacts Using the tourism multiplier to explore economic impacts. Exploring the diversity of socio-cultural impacts. |
Week 5 |
Seminar |
Sustainability: environmental impacts Diversity of environmental impacts for both natural and built environments. |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
Sustainability: managing impacts Stakeholder collaboration - Sustainable Island |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Systems theory and THE Systems and sustainability - the link. Progressing your analytical skills - using Assessment 1 to prepare Assessment 2. |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Tourism System - tourist and generating region (alternative date to be advised) Diversity of tourists. Exploring the role of generating regions. Good Friday Public Holiday - Friday 18 April 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. |
Mid-sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break No classes this week. |
Week 9 |
Seminar |
Tourism System - transit region (Assessment 3) Identifying a transit region and its role in the system. Assessment 3 explained. Effective group work. |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
Tourism System - destination region (tourist perspective) Exploring tourist expectations of a destination region. Report structure. Introduction unpacked. WIL opportunities - and the value of LinkedIn. |
Week 11 |
Seminar |
Tourism System - destination region (management perspective) Strategies used to manage destination regions. Report - conclusion and recommendations unpacked. |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Tourism System - external influences The role of government in THE. Report - executive summary unpacked. |
Week 13 |
Seminar |
Review and consolidate (alternative date to be advised) Course overview. Final consultation for Assessment Task 3. Preparing your oral defense. |
Additional learning activity information
Sustainable Development Goal
This course integrates the following Sustainable Development Goals through lectures and assessment.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
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:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.