NRRT 270 Principles of Natural Resource Tourism [CRN 23530]

Overview of Course

“One's destination is never a place but a new way of looking at things.”—Henry Miller

Tourism is one of the world’s most powerful industries, shaping economies, cultures, and the way people connect across borders. Today, it drives over 10% of global GDP and supports 1 in 10 jobs worldwide. This course offers an international perspective on tourism by exploring its history, key sectors, and the motivations that drive travelers. More importantly, it places tourism within broader social, cultural, political, and environmental contexts. We examine the challenges of tourism and also the opportunities it has for communities. What makes this course unique is the Semester at Sea experience itself. Each destination on our voyage becomes a living case study, allowing students to witness firsthand how tourism operates in diverse contexts: from local traditions and economies to global sustainability challenges. Students will leave with a holistic understanding of the world’s largest industry and the role they can play in shaping its future.