The first part of the course will aim to summarily frame the evolution of the tourist phenomenon over time. A second part will be dedicated to spatial modeling concerning different aspects of tourism. Subsequently, the key players in the tourism system will be observed. In this regard, we will evaluate the reasons that push people to travel and the a posteriori assessments of the tourist experience. On the other hand, we will discuss the different types of tourist offer, following the peculiarities of the territory (seaside, mountain, naturalistic, thermal) or the anthropization of places (urban, cultural, religious, events), also trying to highlight new trends and new types of polarizations. The sustainability of the tourism phenomenon and the impact on the socio-cultural values of the local host community will also be assessed, paying particular attention to the contexts today considered peripheral and marginal with respect to tourism. Finally, the current situation of tourism worldwide will be framed, highlighting some case studies of relevance and then focusing the discussion on the Italian role in the international context.