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 essays 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 within the given study period.

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.

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´s learning process in the study unit consists of recorded lectures and related quick quizzes and a written essay in each five sections and lastly a self-evaluation of one´s own learning process.

The student studies the contents of the five sections individually in the predetermined order within the given study period.

Quick quizzes in each five sections are assessed by using a scale of Pass or Fail. The small-scale essays in sections 1 to 4 are commented by two peer students and assessed by the teacher by using a scale of (0) 1 to 5, and each of them contributes 10% to the overall grade of the study unit. The last section 5 consists of a longer analytical essay, which is assessed only by the teacher by using a scale of (0) 1 to 5 and which contributes 60 % to the overall grade of the study unit.

After completing studying the contents of the five sections, the student is required to write a self-evaluation of one´s own learning process. This final assignment is assessed by using a scale of Pass or Fail.

The responsible use of AI and references is taken into account in assessing the small-scale essays as well as the final paper. The weighting factor of the responsible use of AI and references varies 20 - 33% of the grade. Turnitin plagiarism programme is used in all written assignments.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Fail (0):
Student has failed to perform quick quizzes and other small-scale assignments in each five sections and has not performed the self-evaluation in the end of the study unit according to instructions.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

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 (3-4)

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.