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Tourism Studies

At Linnaeus University's School of Business and Economics, we approach tourism from an interdisciplinary perspective, integrating elements of management, marketing, entrepreneurship, social sciences, environmental sciences, and the humanities in our research and teaching.

Our scholars collaborate with stakeholders from the local to the global scale to address social, environmental, and economic challenges. In research, teaching, and outreach activities, we co-create value with local communities, businesses, residents, government bodies, and international institutions to support sustainable tourism and tourist practices. Locally, we contribute to the sustainable development of Småland and Öland connecting local practices and insights to a global perspective.

Our Vision: To take a leading role at Linnaeus University's School of Business and Economics in fostering sustainability in research, education, and outreach related to tourism.

Our Mission: With innovative research and interdisciplinary education, we support our students and partners in their work to tackle challenges related to tourism and sustainability. In these endeavors, we contribute to the recognition of the School of Business and Economics at Linnaeus University as a hub for knowledge excellence.

 

The subject of Tourism studies at Linnaeus University is ranked as the 30th best institution in the world for research and education in the field of hospitality and tourism, in the latest global university ranking by ShanghaiRankings Global Ranking of Academic Subjects

Education

History of the tourism subject at Linnaeus University

Linnaeus University has a strong tradition in providing tourism education, starting back in 1978 when we introduced Sweden's first tourism program. Over the years, this program evolved into Tourism Studies as a distinct subject. In 2003, we proudly graduated the first cohort of "tourism scientists" in Sweden. Continuing our commitment to quality education, we obtained accreditation to confer master's degrees in 2015 and launched the "Tourism and Sustainability" program. In 2019, we expanded our offerings with the bachelor's program "International Tourism Management". We are dedicated to providing students with practical skills and knowledge to thrive in the tourism industry while promoting sustainability.

Bachelor’s in International Tourism Management

The programme has almost five decades of experience of educating students for one of the world’s largest industries – Tourism. And the need for expertise in strategic planning, skills in business, and sustainable development has never been more critical. You study a combination of tourism and business courses, and the programme provides you with in-depth analytical skills concerning what tourism is and how it affects us and our society. We cover the environmental, social, cultural, and economic aspects of tourism, and you gain an understanding of how these impact various businesses and organisations within the tourism industry. There are opportunities for both internship and exchange studies within the programme to give the possibility to broader each students competence and experience.

Degree: Bachelor of Science with specialization in Tourism Management (Main field of study: Tourism Studies)

Tourism and Sustainability Master

In our graduate studies, we provide an international environment with experts specializing in the field of tourism studies. Students have the opportunity to learn from globally renowned scholars in the fields of tourism studies and sustainability. Our small classroom sizes and seminar-like courses give students the opportunity to interact closely with their peers and teachers to learn about critical and practical aspects of sustainability and tourism. Students are encouraged to use their time at Linnaeus University to go on internships, take courses abroad and in other disciplines, and attend campus events like seminars and guest lectures to widen their horizons throughout their graduate student experience.

Through interactive events, webinars, and campus visits, students gain valuable insights into the diverse and dynamic world of tourism, empowering them to become active agents in the transformation of the tourism industry.

Programmes in tourism studies

Research

Tourism Studies at the School of Business and Economics is flourishing within an international academic environment conducive to research excellence.

Our research on tourism is published in leading journals across various fields, including Tourism Management, Journal of Travel Research, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Annals of Tourism Research, Tourism Geographies, Ecological Economics, Journal of Cleaner Production, Landscape Research, Conservation Biology, and Land Use Policy.

Our faculty contributes to knowledge development in editorial capacity and through contributions to research conferences.

Our research is structured around several key focus areas (alphabetical order):

  • Business models in tourism
  • Climate policy and transport governance
  • Creative tourism entrepreneurs
  • Flow-based destination management and marketing
  • Renewable energy transitions in tourist landscapes
  • Tourism and human dimensions of natural resources
  • Tourism and sustainable rural development

Through our interdisciplinary approach and international collaborations, we advance knowledge and foster positive change in the dynamic landscape of tourism research.

Research projects in tourism studies

Knowledge environment

Outreach

Our tourism studies faculty members actively engage in outreach initiatives, which they integrate in their teaching to inspire students and communicate exciting opportunities and critical developments within the fields of tourism, hospitality, and events.

Join us to explore the endless possibilities and have a sustainable impact in the tourism industry.

News and events

See all events in tourism studies

News in tourism studies

Staff