Discipline can be understood as a structured field of knowledge that follows certain principles, methods, and areas of study. In the context of tourism studies, discipline is not merely an academic exercise but a systematic way to understand the historical, social, economic, and cultural dimensions of human travel. The criteria and characteristics of a discipline are essential for its recognition, development, and practical application. A discipline is generally defined by its body of knowledge, methods of inquiry, and a community of scholars who contribute to its growth. It possesses a clear scope, systematic methods, and organized content that distinguishes it from mere interest or hobby. A recognized discipline also develops theories and concepts that provide explanatory frameworks for understanding phenomena, and it has standards of evidence, methodologies, and professional practices that guide research and education. One key criterion of a discipline is its specificity of subject matter. For tourism studies, this includes understanding tourist behavior, travel patterns, motivations, the impact of tourism on societies, and the role of tourism in economic development. Another criterion is methodological rigor, which implies using established research methods such as surveys, case studies, historical analysis, or statistical modeling to study tourism-related phenomena. A third criterion is theoretical foundation, which includes the development of models and frameworks to explain tourism phenomena, such as demand-supply dynamics, sustainable tourism practices, and destination life cycle theories. Fourth, a discipline is characterized