Entry requirements

Bachelor degree or similar. In addition, knowledge in English language equivalent to English 6 is required.

Learning outcomes

After a successfully completed course the student should be able to:

• critically discuss what a destination is,
• critically discuss what sustainability is and various possible ways to achieve sustainability,
• account for different perspectives on regional development,
• describe the historical emergence of the concept of destination development,
• explain the difference in terms of destination development for citizens, traders, and visitors, as well as their different roles and responsibilities,
• describe basic global tourism patterns,
• account for certain sustainability challenges facing destination development, as well as discuss some possible ways to handle them.

Content

The introductory course discusses what a destination is and in this context, discuss destination development not the least from the concept of DMO (destination managing / marketing organisation). Destination development (which is often linked to the tourism industry) will be compared with more general regional development, i.e. what is commonly called urban planning. One part of the course is devoted to understanding the economic transformation that has reached the type of tourism and destination development currently available. Under this part, concepts as branding will also be discussed. How the current destination development currently affects different parts of the population will also be discussed. In addition, tourism is also discussed from a global perspective. Where do the visitors come from and where do they travel? The course will discuss what sustainability is and how unsustainability arises and what is needed for sustainability to be achieved. Competences required for sustainability will also be discussed, and how these can be achieved and what is required of community development to benefit such skills. The course will exemplify some sustainability challenges such as destination development and tourism face today, as well as various ways of how these could be handled. Examples from Gotland are used. Students will do one group work where they study their own hometown from a destination/tourism perspective and discuss in groups which differences between different parts of the world exist as well as explain these differences.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, supervision, study visits and exercises. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of the course, such as group exercises and independent tasks that are carried out together with the surrounding community.

Assessment

Group work (2.5 credits). Written and oral presentation (5 credits).