Ateneo - UPO

Human and economic geography

ATTENDING STUDENTS:
- E-learning lessons and documents uploaded on DIR - digital teaching platform
- Bagnoli L., Manuale di geografia del turismo. Dal Grand Tour al Covid. Quinta edizione, UTET Università, 2022

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
- Ferrario C., Dell'Era B., La destinazione turistica e l’esperienza di viaggio. Modelli e pratiche, tab editore, 2026
- E-learning lessons and documents uploaded on "DIR" digital teaching platform;
- Bagnoli L., Manuale di geografia del turismo. Dal Grand Tour al Covid. Quinta edizione, UTET Università, 2022
- Lozato-Giotart J. P. Geografia del turismo, Hoepli, 2008

This module aims to provide the key skills required to understand the socio-economic and geographical organization of contemporary tourism. In the introductory phase, students will acquire foundational knowledge regarding the socio-economic structure of tourism, learning to interpret its dynamics at both local and global scales. Furthermore, they will develop the ability to identify and evaluate supply, demand, types of tourism, and destination development models, integrating principles of sustainability, economic efficiency, and social equity.In the advanced phase, students will learn to translate theoretical knowledge into innovative, practical solutions while mastering the technical terminology of the discipline. By the end of the course, students will possess an advanced understanding of tourism geography, the ability to analyze development models for tourist destinations, and proficiency in using sector-specific vocabulary. Achievement of these learning outcomes will be assessed during the final examinations.The course awards 6 CFU ECTS, corresponding to a total workload of 150 hours: 45 hours are allocated to in-person educational activities, comprising both lecture-based instruction and interactive learning sessions; the remaining hours are dedicated to self-study, via independent review of the reference texts and materials provided on the DIR platform.

Basic geographical knowledge at the high-school level.

Teaching Methodologies. Lecture-based learning: supported by multimedia tools (PowerPoint presentations, audio, and video content). Case study analysis: examined in-depth through relevant documents, reports, and digital resources. Collaborative learning: guided group discussions in the classroom to foster critical debate. Online learning (E-learning): interaction, material sharing, and discussions via the University's DIR online platform (Didattica In Rete).

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 examination will be held in written form and will consist of 4 open-ended questions. Grading is expressed on a 30-point scale (18/30 being the minimum passing grade). In line with the Dublin Descriptors, the test is structured to assess the following four requirements:Knowledge and understanding: verification of the theoretical notions regarding the topics covered during the course and the phenomena characterizing tourism geography (e.g., sample question: "What is the UNWTO definition of a tourist?").Applying knowledge and understanding: assessment of the ability to contextualize the main analyzed phenomena in space and time, utilizing appropriate geographical categories (e.g., sample question: "What factors characterize current tourism demand?").Making judgments (Critical thinking): evaluation of the capacity to express critical and independent assessments on the subjects covered (e.g., sample question: "What are the main critical issues limiting tourism development in certain destinations?").Communication and synthesis skills: verification of the ability to effectively present the acquired knowledge, synthesizing complex issues and focusing on core thematic nodes (e.g., sample question: "What are the limitations and merits of evolutionary models, and what potential applications can they have?").The candidate’s answers, regarding both content accuracy and propriety of language, will also serve to evaluate the effectiveness of independent study and the proper organization of individual work.Assessment Criteria: Excellent/Very Good: a test demonstrating a fair to excellent knowledge of the subject matter will receive a medium-high to top grade. Sufficient (18/30): a passing grade requires the possession of minimal knowledge of the syllabus and a basic argumentative capacity.Fail (Insufficient): a test will be deemed insufficient in the presence of educational gaps and an inability to contextualize the topics studied.

The course is structured around the following core thematic areas:
Introduction to Tourism Geography: current scenarios, historical evolution of the tourism phenomenon, and the scientific definition of "tourist" according to international standards (UN Tourism).
Sources and Methodological Tools: analysis of sources and statistical data for the quantitative and qualitative study of tourism flows.
Geography of Flows and Regionalization: the world’s major tourist regions and analysis of the primary global flow routes.
The Tourism Market: in-depth analysis of tourism supply and demand.
The Tourist Destination and Attractiveness Factors: the tourism resource across its various dimensions (natural, cultural, and man-made resources); key concepts of accessibility and territorial usability.
Territorial Organization and Planning: criteria and strategies for the planning and management of tourist spaces.
Spatial and Evolutionary Models of Tourism Development: study and application of the main theoretical models within the discipline.
Types of Tourism and Cultural Geographies: classification of different forms of tourism; analysis of the cultural concepts of "the Other", "the Elsewhere", and the pursuit of authenticity in contemporary tourism.
Integration of the Gender Dimension.
The course dedicates a specific session to the interdisciplinary link between geography, gender, and tourism.
In particular, it will examine the multifaceted effects that gender relations produce within the sector, focusing on:The construction of the landscape and the segregation/reservation of spaces for specific categories within tourism environments.The redefinition of gender relations within host societies.The impact on the tourism labor market and its corresponding employment dynamics.

The course aims to provide students with the essential methodological and analytical tools to interpret contemporary tourism geography.To achieve foundational competence, students are required to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of cultural, political, and economic geography, alongside an understanding of the organizational dynamics of tourist spaces, flow profiles, and the theoretical nodes related to the concepts of "elsewhere" and "authenticity."In terms of skills, participants must be able to critically analyze the studied contexts and communicate the acquired knowledge with clarity, effectiveness, and appropriate terminology. Attaining an advanced level further requires the development of an organic and systemic vision of the syllabus, excellent synthesis skills, and a mature capacity for personal and critical elaboration, expressed with lexical rigor. The advanced profile is completed by the ability to conduct thematic in-depth research independently. These outcomes are formally consistent with the provisions of the Annual Course Fact Sheet for the Bachelor's Degree Programme (SUA-CdS, framework A4.b.2).