Example tourism dissertation topic 6:

‘My home, my rules’ – a study of discrimination in bed and breakfast homes in the UK.

Recent publicity (Moynihan, 2012) has focussed on discrimination against gay couples by bed and breakfast owners in the UK. This dissertation examines not only sexual orientation discrimination but other forms of discrimination in the sector, from colour to occupation to children. It weighs the rights of the bed and breakfast owners to choose who should stay in their home with them, against the rights of those who are paying for accommodation, and in the light of anti-discrimination legislation. Interviews are conducted with those who have been declined accommodation, bed and breakfast owners, and industry representatives. Finally, it makes recommendations for owners to avoid litigation.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Bromley, C., Curtice, J. and Given, L. (2006). Attitudes to discrimination in Scotland: 2006
• Mcintosh, A.J., Lynch, P. and Sweeney, M. (2011). ‘”My home is my castle”: Defiance of the commercial homestay host in tourism’, Journal of Travel Research, Vol. 50(5), pp. 509-519.
• Moynihan, T. (2012). ‘Gay couple Michael Black and John Morgan sue bed and breakfast owner Susanne Wilkinson over room refusal’, The Independent, 17th September 2012.
• Scottish social attitudes survey. Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research.