Four Seasons in Responsible Tourism (5cr)

Objective

The students recognize the various elements of responsibility in tourism. The students understand also meaningful experience as theoretical approach for responsible development work. The students understand the basics of systems thinking in the tourism development. The students can utilize selected tools for tourism development, especially those relevant for responsibility. The students understand also meaningful customer experience as theoretical approach for responsible development work.

Content

Different aspects of responsibility in tourism business sector (social, economic and environmental responsibility)
National and international perspectives – special characteristics and trends
Responsible tourism actors and customers
Responsible tourism services
Tourism destination development
Systems thinking in the tourism development
Selected tools for tourism development
Experience pyramid

Qualifications

The student understands the concepts related to service operations and has basic customer competence. The student understands how the tourism industry has developed and what it comprises in Finland and abroad. The student understands the general concepts and phenomena related to tourism. He/she understands the operating logic of tourism service chains and the significance of the integrity of those chains to the customer.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Evaluation: 1 (Sufficient) The student knows the concepts related to responsible tourism. The student’s diverse specification and application of the concepts remain insufficient. The student recognises key actors and existing services. The student’s reporting is descriptive and unstructured and illustration is poor.
2 (Satisfactory) The student demonstrates that he/she understands the concepts and special characteristics related to responsible tourism both in theory and in practice. The student is able to point out key actors and services. The student’s reporting is descriptive, unstructured and in part illustrative.
3 (Good) The student understands and is able to specify the concepts and special characteristics related to responsible tourism by utilising theoretic source material and practical examples. The student knows responsible tourism actors and key services of the destination. The student’s reporting is structured, contemplative and illustrative comprising a multitude of sources.
4 (Very Good) The student utilises the concepts, special characteristics and global perspective related to responsible tourism. The student networks with responsible tourism actors and is able to assess destination and key services as part of the operating field. The student’s reporting is clear, illustrative comprising a multitude of sources and analytical examination.
5 (Excellent) The student masters, in addition to the core competence required for grades 3 (Good) and 4 (Very good), critical examination. The student displays particular innovativeness.