Sustainable Tourism exposes learners to the profound changes occurring worldwide in the tourism industry—changes that will permanently alter every tourist business' development, management, and relationship to its community. Learners begin by familiarizing themselves with some of the basic concepts of sustainability: measuring a person's carbon footprint, recognizing the implications of the Limits of Acceptable Change model, understanding the latest research about climate change.

Learners consider approaches to land use and sustainability, including trends in alternative tourism and multiple-use policies. They explore tourism's economic and social impacts and how community-based sustainable tourism programs can mitigate adverse effects. Next, they cover sustainability implications for hospitality and tourism businesses, explore corporate social responsibility policies, and evaluate how a business can demonstrate its commitment to sustainability. Learners research careers in sustainability, including sustainability management jobs and opportunities with governmental and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).