Ateneo - UPO

The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical and practical tools needed to assess, design, and manage tourism projects at the territorial scale.The first part of the course focuses primarily on the project life cycle, as well as on the theories and techniques of project management.The second part examines the relationship between project design and tourism development, highlighting the importance of a project-based approach in contemporary tourism.The theoretical and practical tools acquired throughout the two parts of the course will be applied in individual and group activities aimed at the design and development of a tourism project.

ATTENDING STUDENTS
1) Gaio L., Project management : elementi teorici e applicazioni : metodi ed evidenze empiriche per il turismo , Franco Angeli, 2010 (first part ONLY)
2) Material presented during the course and available on the DIR page.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
1) Martini U., Management e marketing delle destinazioni turistiche territoriali, MCGRAW HILL 2017
2) Formez, Project Cycle Management. Manuale per la formazione (Free download at https://www.fondazionecariplo.it/static/upload/for/formez_pcm_completo.pdf)

Students who participate in the exercises carried out during the course and who take part in at least 75% of the lessons (36 hours) are considered to be attending.
Those who are unable to attend must follow the program as non-attenders.

The course aims at providing an overview of the necessary methodologies, tools and practices to design, plan and manage initiatives and suitable projects for the development and promotion of touristic destinations, from both public and private point of view, using also examples and case studies.
In particular, the attention will be focused on the issues of project management, destination management and the needed supporting knowledge. The ultimate goal is to enable students to manage the entire life cycle of a tourism development project in order to operate effectively in companies or public entities involved in the promotion and management of tourism.

None.

The teaching methods adopted in the course include a teacher-led component (25 hours), consisting of lectures on the principles of project management and the management of territorial tourism systems, and an interactive component (20 hours), involving students’ active participation in the simulation of project design and management, with particular reference to applications for specific funding calls.

None

ATTENDING STUDENTS

The assessment of attending students (those who attend at least 75% of classes) consists of two components:

1. A written examination with open-ended questions covering the content of the required readings.
2. The assessment of a group report based on the simulation of an application for a funding call for territorial-scale tourism projects.

The final grade is calculated as the weighted average of the two components. The written examination accounts for 40% of the final grade, while the group report accounts for 60%.

To achieve a passing grade (sufficiency), students must demonstrate an adequate understanding of the principles of project management applied to the tourism sector.

To achieve an excellent grade, students must demonstrate a thorough and critical understanding of the principles of project management applied to the tourism sector and be able to relate a project-based approach to the main challenges currently affecting this field.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

The assessment of non-attending students is based exclusively on a written examination consisting of open-ended questions on the required readings specified in the syllabus for non-attending students.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/servicesstudents-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The course addresses the main theoretical and operational aspects of tourism project planning, with particular attention to the territorial scale.

The course covers the following topics:

- the emergence of a project-based approach in the tourism sector;
- the different stages of the project cycle, from context analysis to the evaluation of results;
- the principles and tools of destination management;
- the main trends and critical issues in contemporary tourism;
- the analysis of practical experiences and case studies, aimed at understanding the application of the tools presented during the course.

INTEGRATION OF THE GENDER DIMENSION

The course programme does not include a specific focus on gender issues. However, the topic is addressed across the lectures devoted to current challenges in the contemporary tourism sector.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge and skills related to the design, planning and management of tourism destinations. The expected learning outcomes are organised according to the Dublin Descriptors.

1. Knowledge and understanding

Students will be expected to:

- understand the main theoretical and methodological concepts of project management applied to tourism;
- understand the different stages of the project cycle, from context analysis to the evaluation of results;
- understand the fundamental principles of tourism planning and destination management;
- understand and contextualise the relationships between territorial characteristics, project development and tourism development.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding

Students will be expected to:

- analyse a region, identifying its resources, stakeholders, critical issues and tourism potential;
- identify the territorial elements on which to base a project aimed at creating, developing or integrating a tourism product;
- define the objectives, target groups, activities, expected results and evaluation tools of a project;
- apply the theoretical and methodological concepts acquired to the analysis of tourism and territorial data and to practical cases.

3. Making judgements

Students will be expected to:

- critically assess the coherence and feasibility of a tourism project;
- select and interpret data and information relevant to project development;
- make independent assessments of the potential territorial, economic, social and environmental impacts of proposed interventions;
- justify the methodological and operational choices made.

4. Communication skills

Students will be expected to:

- develop and present a territorial or product-based tourism development project clearly, coherently and effectively;
- communicate the project’s objectives, methods, activities and expected results using appropriate terminology;
- contribute to the development and presentation of a group project.

5. Learning skills

Students will be expected to:

- independently identify, select and use bibliographical, documentary and statistical sources;
- integrate theoretical knowledge, methodological tools and the observation of tourism and territorial phenomena;