The Role of Tourism in the Socially Responsible University

Abstract

In the light of reduced state funding of universities over the past 20 years in the UK, it has been necessary for institutions to consider alternative methods of income generation. One of the consequences of this has been the widespread development of campus-based tourism. Over a similar time period, much attention has been focused on the arguments to apply a more socially responsible framework to tourism policy and practice. This article aims to assess the linkages between tourism provision at universities and the concept of social responsibility. With reference to a qualitative research project in one institution, several emergent themes have been extrapolated in order to enable some consideration of the philosophical underpinnings of this type of tourism.