Study Guide

Objective

Globalisation of the tourism industry increases the complexity of managing tourism destinations. Destination competitiveness is based on destination management that emphasises sustainable planning and development. Students understand the strategic concepts of destination environments and the significance of a multi-stakeholder perspective. Future-oriented adaptations, scenarios and best practise case studies of tourism destinations give students a holistic view of the success factors and challenges of destination management.

After completion of the course the student is able to
- describe and explain the concepts discussed in the destination management and marketing literature
- critically evaluate the multiple forms of understanding and conceptualizing destinations
- distinguish the success factors and challenges of tourism destination
- critically analyse the principles for promoting the competitiveness and sustainability of tourism destinations
- evaluate the role of strategy in developing and managing destinations
- form a holistic view of the competitive destination management.

Content

- Destination and Destination Management and Marketing Organisations
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Multi-stakeholder processes
- Destination development and competitiveness: success factors and challenges
- Destination Branding and Destination Marketing
- Destination experiences
- Digitalisation in destinations
- Destination management strategies incl. safety and risk management
- Foresight in destinations
- International case studies

Location and time

As it is online study unit, it can be studied anywhere.

Materials

The required learning material is introduced separately in each section. However, the student may utilise for example the additional materials: 

WTO (2007). A Practical Guide to Tourism Destination Management.

Wang, Y., Pizam, A. & Breiter, D. (2011). Destination Marketing and Management: Theories and Applications. CAB International.

Teaching methods

This online study unit on destination management is divided into 5 sections, each covering a combination of topics related to destination management.

All of the learning materials in each section are either pre-recorded lectures, and/or academic journal articles and/or other learning materials that include case studies from the tourism sector.

Assignments incl. quick quizzes and other small-scale assignments are integrated into the versatile learning materials in each section.

The student can continue on in the study unit by finishing the five sections in the predetermined order.

There are no separate eExams at the end of the study unit. However, the student is required to complete a self-evaluation of one´s own learning process after completing the five sections included in the study unit.

Employer connections

Recorded lectures from visiting lecturers from the tourism industry

Exam schedules

Assignments incl. quick quizzes and other small-scale assignments are integrated into the versatile learning materials in each section of the study unit.

The student can continue on in the study unit by finishing the five sections in the predetermined order.

There are no separate eExams at the end of the study unit.

International connections

The learning material includes also international visiting lecturers whose lectures have been pre-recorded.

Content scheduling

The study unit is divided into five sections each covering a combination of topics related to destination management.

Further information

A degree student attending the University of Lapland can register free of charge for LUC studies offered by the Lapland University of Applied Sciences, if the studies can be linked to their own degree. Enrollment takes place through: https://hakeutuminen-amk.peppi4.lapit.csc.fi/web/hakijan-tyopoyta/#3678

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Fail (0):
Student has failed to perform the required learning activities in the end of the study unit according to instructions.

Satisfactory (1-2):
Student has a satisfactory command of developing destination management related knowledge (DMO, strategic and quality planning, branding, marketing, digitalisation, experience design, PPP and competitiveness). Student has performed all the required learning activities, but shows very little analytical, reflective and critical approach in them.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3-4):
Student has a good command of developing destination management related knowledge (DMO, strategic and quality planning, branding, marketing, digitalisation, experience design, PPP and competitiveness). Student has performed all the required learning activities, and shows somewhat analytical, reflective and critical approach in most of them.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5):
Student has an excellent command of developing destination management related core knowledge (DMO, strategic and quality planning, branding, marketing, digitalisation, experience design, PPP and competitiveness). Student has performed all the required learning activities, and shows analytical, reflective and critical approach in all of them.

Assessment methods and criteria

The student can continue on in the study unit by finishing the five sections in the predetermined order.

Assessment is based on the quick quizzes and other small-scale assignment in each section and the self-evaluation in the end of the study unit.

There are no separate eExams at the end of the study unit.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Fail (0)
The student has failed to complete the five sections included in the study unit and has not written the self-evaluation according to instructions.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Satisfactory (1-2)
The student has a satisfactory command of developing destination management related knowledge (DMO, strategic and quality planning, branding, marketing, digitalisation, experience design, PPP, and competitiveness) and is able to apply it only partly or not at all in practical learning exercises. Student participates in lectures seldom and shows very little or no analytical, reflective, and critical approach to his/her activities. All the assignments are not fully performed according to instructions, however, the student has passed the exam(s).

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Good (3-4)
The student has a good command of developing destination management related knowledge (DMO, strategic and quality planning, branding, marketing, digitalisation, experience design, PPP, and competitiveness) and is able to apply it mostly in practical learning exercises. Student participates in the lectures quite actively and shows a somewhat analytical, reflective, and critical approach to most of his/her activities. All the assignments are performed mostly according to instructions.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5)
The student has an excellent command of developing destination management related core knowledge (DMO, strategic and quality planning, branding, marketing, digitalisation, experience design, PPP, and competitiveness) and is able to apply it fully in practical learning exercises. Student participates in the lectures actively and shows analytical, reflective, and critical approach to all his/her activities. All the assignments are performed according to instructions.