Investigating the Perception and Attitude of Business School Students Towards Overtourism at Marseille Calanques National Park

Abstract

‘Sustainability is possibly the most important issue facing the tourism industry in the twenty-first century’ (Edgell and Swanson in Tourism policy and planning: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Routledge, New York, p. 45, 2018). The study within this chapter focuses on the future leaders responsible for delivering a sustainable planet, i.e. higher education students. The context is set within the subject of overtourism; a phenomenon that is now irreversibly damaging the world’s cultural and natural heritage. A case study focus on Marseille Calanques National Park in France provides a specific context for discussion. Data is collected from students at Kedge Business School (Marseille). Using a survey, they are asked questions related to overtourism and Marseille Calanques National Park. Kedge Business School was chosen because it is part of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) network. PRME is implemented into business to raise awareness of Sustainable Development Goals by adopting a holistic, interdisciplinary approach of education. PRME could also be viewed as a tool to inform the strategy of an organisation. However, the findings discussed raise questions over the impact PRME is making within this study context. From a practical point of view, there is a chance to really reflect on the impact of PRME versus overtourism and contemplate actions going forward.