GEOGRAPHY FOR TOURISM DESTINATIONS

The course "Geography for tourism destinations" is one of the core subjects and is part of the third year of the three-year degree in "Hospitality Innovation and E-tourism". The objective of the course is to offer students the knowledge and the interpretative tools to understand the geographical components of the tourism phenomena through the analysis of different types of destinations. The programme will also focus on how different forms of tourism define, use and transform places through practices and narratives.

The course illustrates the key principles of tourism geography for the interpretation of tourism dynamics in destinations that are characterised by different forms of tourism.

Students will achieve the following learning outcomes:
1. Knowledge and understanding: to know and understand the basic concepts and main models of tourism geography through the framework of political-economic geography

2. Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding:
- to use the concepts and models of the tourism geography to interpret, also critically, the socio-spatial dynamics generated by tourism in different destinations and at different scales
- to recognise phases and models of destination development
- to describe networks of actors, mobilities and tourism practices of destinations

3. Making Judgement:
- to recognise the economic, environmental and social drivers that can contribute to the sustainability of destinations
- to evaluate problems and critical issues generated by tourism

4. Communication skills:
- to present the contents in a clearly and correctly style
- to apply the concepts and terms of tourism geography in a coherent and appropriate way for the analysis of destinations
- to interact with peers and with the lecturer in a critical and respectful way both in presence and virtually.

There are no specific pre-requirements, but the attendance (even without having passed the final exam) of the course 'Introduction to tourism economics and sustainability' may facilitate the comprehension of specific topics related to the social-spatial dynamics of the destinations.

The course deals with the key themes of tourism geography applied to the different types of tourist destinations. After a first theoretical introduction on the relationship between economic and political geography and tourism, the components of the tourism system and the different types of tourism destinations, the course will address the themes of tourism demand and territorial resources focusing on the evolution of mobility, practices and narratives in the development of destinations.
Then the course will critically address the issues of the environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism, the relationship among tourism, landscape, heritage and communities, and the effects of globalisation and climate changes on tourism dynamics.
The final part of the course will be dedicated to the analysis and discussion of concrete cases of destinations, including the city of Venice, defined by specific forms of tourism. Cultural, mountain, seaside, food and wine, outdoor and event tourism will be investigated in their capacity to activate sustainable tourism practices and considering future trends and tendencies.

Attending students:
- Slides and materials made available by the lecturer on the course Moodle space
- Some integrative parts from the following book
Boniface, B., Cooper, C., & Cooper, R., 2016. Worldwide destinations: The geography of travel and tourism. Routledge.

Non-attending students:
- Slides and materials made available by the lecturer on the course Moodle space
- Some integrative parts from the following book
Boniface, B., Cooper, C., & Cooper, R., 2016. Worldwide destinations: The geography of travel and tourism. Routledge.
- Extra scientific articles provided by the lecturer to individual non-attending students

For attending students
Assessment will be based on a written exam consisting of “open-ended” questions on topics and materials covered in class (slides and other specified materials). The written exam assesses students’ knowledge of the concepts and models of tourism geography that enable the interpretation of tourism dynamics in different types of destinations.
The final grade will also take into account students’ engagement and participation in the working groups. The assessment of the working groups evaluates students’ ability to critically describe tourism phenomena in the analyzed destinations, as well as their communication skills in clearly and accurately presenting content through an oral presentation in class supported by a PowerPoint or Canva presentation.
The final grade will consist of 80% from the written exam and 20% from the assessment of participation in group activities conducted in class.

For non-attending students
Assessment will take the form of a written exam consisting of three “open-ended” questions based on materials uploaded to Moodle and extra materials indicated by the lecturer. The written exam assesses knowledge of the concepts and models of tourism geography that enable the interpretation of tourism dynamics in different types of destinations.
The final exam for non-attending students will also include an analysis of a specific destination defined and agreed upon with the lecturer. The final exam for non-attending students will also include an analysis of a specific destination defined and agreed upon with the instructor. The assessment of this work evaluates the student’s ability to critically describe tourism phenomena at the selected and analyzed destination, as well as their communication skills in clearly and accurately presenting the analyzed case study through a PowerPoint or Canva presentation and a brief written personal report, delivered via an oral presentation to be given prior to the final written exam. The final grade will consist of 80% from the final written exam and 20% from the assessment of the analyzed case study.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

A. Scores falling within the 18-22 range will be assigned when the student demonstrates:
- Adequate knowledge and comprehension applied within the framework of the program.
- Satisfactory communication skills.

B. Scores ranging from 23 to 26 will be awarded when the student exhibits:
- Reasonable grasp of knowledge and understanding relevant to the program.
- Competent communication skills.

C. Scores in the 27-30 range signify:
- Good to excellent proficiency in understanding and applying the program's concepts.
- Fully appropriate communication skills.

D. The distinction of '30 cum laude' is granted when the student showcases:
- Profound understanding and application of program content.
- Exceptional communication skills.

- Front lectures
- In-depth analysis of specific case studies of destinations in the form of working groups
- Class discussion based on materials indicated by the lecturer
- Possible seminar sessions and visits to specific tourism contexts

Attending lessons is highly recommended.

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion - Accommodation and support services for students with disabilities and students with specific learning impairments: Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development