Revised Program [Fall 2020]
Tourism stimulates the global movement of people and impacts national, regional, and local economies and environments. It creates relationships between people and the places they visit. National Geographic defines geotourism as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, geology, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Academic institutions, tourism bureaus, the hospitality industry, regional and national governments have begun to adopt this new concept in tourism development.
Historic Preservation trains professionals who utilize best practices to ethically steward, preserve, and interpret our diverse cultural heritage. As cohorts of the only Historic Preservation program embedded in geography, students learn to document, preserve, and interpret historic structures, objects, and places within the context of their cultural landscape setting.
The study of geotourism and historic preservation represents an excellent example of applied human geography. Upon completion of the concentration, students will be well prepared as geography specialists.
Learn
How do tourism and historic preservation shape landscapes, impact the environment, affect communities and economic development? These are just some of the questions that are applicable in studies in geotourism and historic preservation.
Opportunities
Geotourism at EMU seeks to develop tourism education, research, and community engagement rooted in the discipline of Geography that enhances the geographic character of places and landscapes. Study at EMU enables graduates to become leaders and entrepreneurs in local, national, and international tourism initiatives.
Students in historic preservation gain a solid foundation in the fundamentals of the field and are well-suited to continue in EMU’s award-winning Master’s of Historic Preservation Program should they desire. Students participate in a variety of practical experiences, including preservation documentation, heritage interpretation, and addressing the real needs of local communities.
Career opportunities for graduates include: City, state, and national tourism and preservation offices; City planning and community development; Convention and visitor bureaus; Entrepreneurship; Event planning; Festival Organization; Museums; Non-governmental organizations; Recreation and leisure management; Travel agencies, airlines, and accommodation providers; U.S. National Park Service; World tourism organizations