Teaching health issues in tourism: bringing the two disciplines together
Conference Contribution ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
The extraordinary growth in the tourism industry over the last decades and the increasing travel by people with health conditions prompted the establishment of the discipline of travel medicine which, however, remained a strictly medical domain. It is argued that the interdependence between tourism and health is much more far-reaching and requires a broader approach. It has long been known that the cooperation between representatives from health and from the tourism industry is very limited. A strategy was required that would enable the two disciplines to work together in reaching a common goal. As part of such a strategy, a subject has been written for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the disciplines of health or tourism. The multi-disciplinary approach advocated for in this subject is applied to practice by having students from both fields studying the same content. This subject gives an overview of the disciplines of health and tourism. After reinforcing the links and interdependence between both, the emphasis is placed on health issues important to the traveller and - not included elsewhere - the hosts. Finally, issues of cooperation between both disciplines are discussed highlighting the inclusion of health issues in the concept of sustainable tourism and the need for an increase in education on tourism and health On completion of this subject students will be able to • demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of tourism and health and their interdependence; • give an overview of the health hazards connected with modern travel; • demonstrate an understanding of the impacts of tourism and travel on the health of the host communities; • develop strategies to apply their knowledge of pertinent issues into practice under particular consideration of the need for collaboration between the health and tourism industries. The subject is available as a distance learning package and, therefore, also suitable for international students wishing to complement their courses with an elective subject pertinent to their field of study. It is envisaged that the subject will be translated into Spanish.
Journal
N/A
Publication Name
7th Conference of the International Society of Travel Medicine
Volume
N/A
ISBN/ISSN
N/A
Edition
N/A
Issue
N/A
Pages Count
1
Location
Innsbruck, Austria
Publisher
International Society of Travel Medicine
Publisher Url
N/A
Publisher Location
N/A
Publish Date
N/A
Url
N/A
Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
N/A