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Block 1: Tourism and Hospitality Products: Natural, Cultural, Eco and Dark Tourism

Tourists are turning to different ‘products’ for cultural experiences whether that be visiting and immersing themselves in nature and participating in nature-based or eco-tourism, experiencing heritage, arts and culture at a destination or engaging in slow or community-based tourism which includes activities such as slow travel or spending time with locals. Another type of tourism which this module will focus on is dark tourism which is associated to tragedy and death. This module therefore provides students with the opportunity to study a range of niche forms of tourism such as nature-based or eco-tourism, cultural tourism, creative, and dark tourism. Students will be presented with a range of case studies which will allow them to explore the factors which influence these forms of tourism. Students will reflect and evaluate the ethical foundations and sustainability of these forms of tourism. Students will also consider consumer behaviour and the relevant social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental factors which drive engagement with these tourism and hospitality products.

Assessment: Poster 50% and Report 50%

Block 2: International Tourism and Hospitality Research Visit

In this module you have the chance to develop your understanding of the needs of the traveller from the perspective of the Tourism and Hospitality sectors. The core of the module presents the opportunity for a 5-day international research visit to a European city. As an example, Amsterdam is the largest metropolitan area in The Netherlands and has many museums and cultural areas with a direct Eurostar line from London to Amsterdam which launched October 2020. This allows for many tourists and business travellers to take a sustainable option; travelling by train rather than plane. Amsterdam City Council has also launched a campaign (30 March 2023) to discourage ‘nuisance tourists’ such as the hen and stag weekends. The assessment for this module includes primary research, enabling you to also gain an understanding of the ethical processes required for research. Students who are unable to take the travel opportunity will be offered information gathered from the trip and will be supported and encouraged to complete the assessment by undertaking the research remotely. The assessment will be presented as a ‘real life context’ to the academic team and a partner within the travel industry such as a tour operator or travel agent or general manager of a hotel. Using knowledge gained from level 4 suggestions for sustainable travel should also be included.

Assessment: Presentation 100%

Block 3: Destination Management and Marketing

This module presents the opportunity to build on the knowledge and skills gained from earlier modules, such as Marketing for Tourism and Hospitality, and to explore Destination Management and Marketing. The module focuses on themes such as tourism planning and development, destination life cycles, as well as destination branding and image, semiotics of promotional materials and the importance of integrated marketing communications for destinations. The module also provides an insight into the role of relevant organisations, such as National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and Destination Management Organisations (DMOs), in both managing and marketing destinations. Through a reliance on a wide range of destinations and official tourism promotional campaigns, such as Amsterdam and IAMsterdam and Slovenia and I Feel sLOVEnia, the module will also highlight the relationships between tourism strategies and/or masterplans at destination level and their official tourism marketing campaigns. Through an understanding of the role and importance of DMOs for not only tourism and hospitality but also related sectors such cultural, heritage, leisure, festivals and events and creative industries, students will develop an in-depth understanding of destination management and marketing alongside skills such as critical thinking, teamworking, visual communication and presentation. 

Assessment: Group Presentation 50% and Infographic and Report 50%

Block 4: Dissertation

The dissertation aims to offer students the opportunity to explore in some depth a topic of their own choice, in which they will need to demonstrate competence in the extended application of a selected part of the methodology of the subject. It aims to develop competence in self-managed study and to deepen the student’s awareness of the value of in-depth research.

Assessment: Viva 10% and Dissertation 90%

Overview

You will complete a dissertation with a focus on developing your research skills. Destination Marketing, place branding and tourism niche products such as Natural, Cultural, Eco and Dark Tourism are taught. The International Research Visit module presents the opportunity to take part in a research visit to a major European city through ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Global.

Contact hours

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, group work and self-directed study. You will normally attend around 6 hours of timetabled taught sessions (lectures and seminars/workshops) each week, with some additional field trips and tutorials. We expect you to undertake at least 25 further hours of independent study to complete project work and research.