Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

* 4 Sep.
Joint kick-off of the semester: implementation plan of the course, instructions for the observation assignment, deciding the date and destination of the excursion as well as times for learning-circles
* 4 Sep.
Introduction to tourism and the structure of the tourism:
- Definitions, tourism industry and associated sectors, main characteristics of tourism products
Instructions for the assignment "My destination" as well as for the learning circle 11th Sep: chapter 1 (An introduction to tourism) and 8 (The structure and organisation of the travel and tourism industry)
Visit Turku
* 11 Sep.
Learning circle with short presentations + discussion
Introduction to tourism destinations, attractions and products:
- complexity of tourism destinations, destination categories, destination image & branding, destination development
Chapters 9 (Tourist destinations) & 10 (Tourist attractions) for the next learning circle
* 18 Sep.
Learning circle with short presentations.
Finland as destination, importance of accessibility/transport
Introduction to hospitality business sector as well as customer experience management
- structure of the hospitality sector, changing patterns of demand
Ch. 12 (The hospitality sector: accommodation and catering services) for the next learning circle
* 25 Sep.
Presentations of the observation assignment, discussion on how to improve the customer experience as well as the rentability of the hospitality industry
Ch. 16 (The management of visitors) for the next learning circle
* 2 Oct.
Presentations of the assignment "My destination"
Destination competitiveness, destination life cycle, impacts of tourism, visitor management
Ch. 17 (The structure and role of the public sector in tourism) for the next learning cycle
* 9 Oct.
Public sector involvement in tourism development, planning and promotion
Test

Objective

After completing the course the student can:
- Explain the tourism phenomenon in international, national and regional context
- Classify and describe different tourism and hospitality service provides and how they connect
- Recognize the pull and push factors in tourism and how they influence tourism flows

Content

- Basic tourism and hospitality terms, models and concepts
- Tourism as a contributor to economy
- Current developments and forecasts

Materials

Holloway, J.Ch. & Humphreys, C- 2016. The Business of Tourism, chapters 1, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16, 17 (totally about 230 pages)
Tuominen, T. (toim.) 2018. Maaseutumatkailuyrityksen tietoreppu, opas kilpailukyvyn ja elämyksellisyyden kasvattamiseksi.
Other sources specified at Optima
Key notes

Teaching methods

The course is based on blended learning as well as activiting learning approach. The aim is that students assimilate the core concepts and models of the course in international and domestic leisure and tourism context. The course implementation includes independent individual learnig (remote work), learning-circles, presentations, assignments and a test. See separate instructions for assignments and learning-circles at Optima.

Student workload

Student's total workload 133 hours consisting of:
- Contact lessons and an excursion (date to be discussed during the kick-off) 23 hours
- Independent work (preparing for the learning circles+presentations as well as for the test) 60 h
- Independent individual or small group work (preparing for the assignments+presentations) 50 h

Evaluation methods and criteria

Theme 1: Learning circle + short presentation
pass - to be completed, peer and teacher assessment
Theme 2: a) Individual assignment "My destination"
scale 1 - 5, self, peer and teacher assessment
b) Interim reporting of the group assignment "AFTA student competition" (work continues during the course Hyvinvointimatkailun konseptit ja kysyntä)
pass - to be completed, peer and teacher assessment
Theme 3: a) Learning circle + short presentation
pass - to be completed, peer and teacher assessment
b) Observation assignment
scale 1 - 5, self, peer and teacher assessment
Theme 4: Learning circle + short presentation
pass - to be completed, peer and teacher assessment
Theme 5: Test
scale 1 - 5, teacher assessment

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Grade 1 or 2: the student has demonstrated limited knowledge and understanding of the main areas of the course. The student shows some difficulties in applying his/her knowledge and understanding of the course content. The student demonstrates little ability to gather and interpret relevant data to inform judgments that include reflection about what is asked for the assignments. The student has difficulties in communicating his/her ideas in writing or orally.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Grade 3 or 4: the student has demonstrated good knowledge and understanding of the main areas of the course. The student shows s/he can apply his/her knowledge and understand the course content in international and domestic context. The student demonstrates good ability to gather and interpret relevant data to inform judgments that include reflection about what is asked for the assignments. The student is able to communicate his/her ideas so that main parts of the texts or presentations are clear.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Grade 5: the student has demonstrated very good knowledge and understanding of the main areas of the course. The student shows s/he can apply his/her knowledge and understanding of the course content in a professional manner. The student demonstrates very good ability to gather and interpret relevant data to inform judgments that include reflection about what is asked for the assignments. The student is able to communicate his/her ideas in a professional way both orally and in writing.

Further information

NB
To be eligible for assessment, the assignments have to meet the TUAS requirements regarding the referencing of sources (cf. Messi/Thesis). The assignments will be randomly scanned by URKUND, the TUAS anti-plagiarism software.