Tourism Business at a Destination (5 cr)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- evaluate the characters of a destination
- describe tourism business models and customer segments
- apply business understanding to developing sustainable tourism services

Location and time

[This field is not used at Laurea.]

Materials

Materials are described in Canvas learning environment.

Literature will be based mainly on academic journals, such as Annals of Tourism Research, International Journal of Hospitality Management & Tourism Management. Material from Visit Finland will be used.

Teaching methods

Please note that as part of the course you should be able to visit MATKA Nordic Travel Fairs during 17.-19.1.2025 independently. You will receive registration information later.

A Canvas learning environment is used to support the implementation, but it is important to take part in teaching and guidance on campus according to schedule. The study unit includes working in pairs or groups. You will receive individual feedback for assignments from the teacher, and working life or peer feedback may also be utilized.

Course includes visit to MATKA Nordic Travel Fairs as well as working with Case company. There can be also visiting lecturers. COURSE REQUIRES ACTIVE PARTICIPATION since you will be working in teams with your case company!

Employer connections

Course includes visit to MATKA Nordic Travel Fairs 17.-19.1.2025, getting to know the tourism companies there as well as working with case company.

Exam schedules

According to the degree regulations (section 18) “students must be present in the first contact session or notify their teacher in charge if they cannot attend. Please send an email to the teacher in charge BEFORE the first meeting if you are not able to participate.

Please note that as part of the course you should be able to visit MATKA Nordic Travel Fairs during 17.-19.1.20254 independently.

International connections

The study unit is suitable for exchange students
Previous tourism studies (Discovering tourism or similar) needed.

Completion alternatives

All students are entitled to demonstrate their competence. The recognition and accreditation of prior competence is initiated by the students themselves. The competence is recognised and accredited by the teacher responsible for the studies or another person designated to the position. The assessment is carried out according to the same assessment criteria and, as a rule, same grading scale as that adopted for the corresponding study unit or module. The student is entitled to apply for accreditation of prior competence regardless of where, how and when the competence has been acquired. The student may also seek accreditation of competence to be acquired on the job as part of their degree (work-based learning). ... The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence and for providing sufficient information.

Student workload

COURSE REQUIRES ACTIVE PARTICIPATION since you will be working in teams with your chosen case company!

One credit equals approximately 26.7 hours of work performed by the student, 5 credit 135 hours of work.

Esitimated division of hours:
The study unit includes weekly lectures (20 hrs)
Visit to MATKA travel fairs + individual assignment (20 hrs)
Development work in small groups + self-reflection (95 hrs)

Content scheduling

Basic structure of the course is that lecture days include introduction lecture and active group work. Therefore active attendance is expected. Students review literature and other information sources for more detailed information.

Content of the course:
- Characteristics of a destination
- Role of destination management organization
- Tourism ecosystems
- Tourism business models
- Sustainable tourism business

Evaluation scale

H-5

Further information

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Bachelor's level education.

According to the degree regulations (section 18) "students must be present for the first contact teaching session, or they must notify the responsible teacher of their absence to confirm they intend to participate in studies, Alternatively, the teacher can specify a different manner for the student to confirm that they intend to participate in the studies. The completion of these measures can be required within a week of the studies having begun. The application of the aforementioned approach requires that the teacher notifies the students accepted to the study unit of the practice and that the practice is specifically mentioned in the study unit’s implementation plan.

If the student has a justified reason for not attending the first contact teaching session or for not notifying the teacher of their intention to be involved in studies in the manner required by the teacher, the student must contact the responsible teacher to agree on participation in the studies. Their registration for the study unit will be rejected, of the student does not notify the teacher of being absent from the first contact teaching session or the reason for their absence cannot be considered justified, Another student who is in line for the study unit can be selected in their place."