Embedding Sustainability in Tourism Education: Bridging Curriculum Gaps for a Sustainable Future

Asunción Fernández-Villarán (), Basagaitz Guereño-Omil and Nagore Ageitos
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Asunción Fernández-Villarán: Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain
Basagaitz Guereño-Omil: Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Deusto, Mundaiz, 50, 20012 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
Nagore Ageitos: Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Deusto, Mundaiz, 50, 20012 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: The evolving challenges in the tourism industry, particularly those related to sustainability, demand significant revisions to current degree programs. This paper presents the design of a higher education curriculum for tourism studies at a Spanish university, responding to industry needs for broader, high-level knowledge and skills, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, digital transformation, and socially responsible practices. The curriculum prioritizes critical and strategic thinking alongside liberal reflection to empower students to lead in sustainable tourism development. Developed collaboratively with the entire tourism faculty, the curriculum design was informed by an extensive analysis of 105 international university courses, 204 job offers, feedback from 195 alumni, and ongoing consultations with professionals and community partners. Grounded in the concept of curriculum space and the philosophic practitioner framework, the curriculum integrates knowledge, soft skills, and attitudes to foster an innovative, sustainable learning ecosystem that prepares graduates to tackle the complexities of modern tourism with a focus on long-term environmental and social impacts.

Keywords: curriculum design; tourism education; higher education; sustainability in tourism; digital transformation; curriculum space; philosophic practitioner framework (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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