LT5092 - Managing visitors in the era of over-tourism (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Managing visitors in the era of over-tourism | ||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
‘Managing Visitors in the Era of Overtourism’ investigates one of the most contemporary concerns of the tourism industry in destinations where carrying capacity has been compromised. The module analyses practices and strategies that enable the management of visitors in a sustainable manner, combining exceptional service with the protection of resources.
The module aims to provide students with practical skills in assessing visitor management practices based on an in-depth understanding of the importance of sustainable management in the era of overtourism
Prior learning requirements
No prerequisites. Available for Study Abroad? YES
Syllabus
• In the introductory part, the syllabus will discuss the need for and the concept of visitor management, showcasing it as an essential practice of sustainable tourism management (LO1)
• Concepts of carrying capacity and limits of acceptable change (LAC) will be used to clarify the risks of overtourism emerging around overcrowding and an increase in socio-cultural tensions between the hosts and guest communities (LO2)
• The review of visitor management techniques aiming at influencing tourists’ behaviour, both in terms of controlling demand and flows of visitors and altering visitors’ behaviour, will follow (LO3)
• The framework of hard and soft measures will be used to design a practical audit and appraise the efficiency of visitor management in London-based case studies (LO4)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
A third of the module is delivered via class contact, in the form of lectures, seminars, field visits to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, assignment tutorials and formative feedback sessions. Lecture slides are available online (Weblearn) prior to class and in audio-video format after as lecture recording.
Lectures use wide range of communication means, including videos, graphics, maps, hyperlinks and social media. Supporting readings (when possible due to copyright) are available in written and audio form.
The syllabus aims to engage the diversity of the student cohort in discussion and via a personalised assignment, where students have the freedom to choose a case study of interest. Understanding of the importance of visitor management has a very practical dimension in tourism, but also in education, as assessment uses a primary data collection method and enables students to put research methodology skills into practice. A significant part of the module is dedicated to testing of audit, providing an opportunity for reflection and improvement in practical research tools.
Feedback is a continuous process in this module, supported by formative assessment in three parts. At each stage, students receive feedback on their proposals and progress, incl. choice of case study area, review of visitor management policies, and audit design. Students are encouraged to start engaging in the audit early so that the workload is evenly spread.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Analyse and contextualise the relationship between sustainability and visitor management
2. Demonstrate critical understanding of the challenges that overtourism presents in key honeypot destinations
3. Scrutinise visitor management practices used to influence tourists’ behaviour
4. Audit and appraise visitor management techniques and measures in chosen case studies