B5500 - TOURISM PLANNING AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES

Learning outcomes

Successful students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices essential for effective tourism planning, in light of the complex interaction among critical factors such as cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. They will acquire the skills to analyze destination dynamics, assess the socio-economic impacts of tourism, and formulate sustainable tourism development strategies with a clear long-run perspective, thereby complementing the skills acquired throughout the courses of tourism economics and policy and tourism geography. In the second part of this course, students will explore the intricate relationship between tourism and diverse cultural expressions, and entertaining industries. They will critically examine the impact of virtual technologies on cultural tourism, gaining insights into the evolving landscape of visitor experiences. Students will also develop practical skills in curating and presenting cultural contents, enhancing their understanding of the intersections between culture, technology, and tourism.

Course contents

Module I – Cultural industries

• The economics of cultural and creative industries
• Cultural goods and cultural value
• Cultural production and consumption
• Cultural policy
• Cultural industries and tourism
• Heritage and creative economy
• Digital transformation of cultural industries
• Cultural industries and local development
• Case studies

Module II – Tourism planning

• Tourism as an economic and spatial phenomenon
• Tourism systems and destination development
• Tourism impacts and sustainability
• Tourism planning approaches
• Destination governance and tourism policies
• Destination management and stakeholder engagement
• Tourism planning tools
• Urban tourism and overtourism
  
• Case studies

 

Readings/Bibliography

Reading materials, including textbook chapters, scientific articles, policy reports and case studies, will be made available during the course through the University e-learning platform. A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the semester.

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures with classroom discussions, case study analysis and group activities. Students will work collaboratively on the analysis of real tourism destinations and cultural initiatives, applying the concepts and tools introduced during the lectures. Short presentations and discussions will foster critical thinking and active participation.

Assessment methods

Examination Rules

Assessment is based on three components:

• Cultural Initiative Brief (25%): Students will work in small groups to prepare a Cultural Initiative Brief, analysing a cultural project, institution or initiative from the perspective of cultural industries and local development. The topic of the assignment must be agreed upon with the instructor in advance.
• Destination Planning Brief (25%): Students will work in small groups to prepare a Destination Planning Brief, applying the concepts and tools introduced in the Tourism Planning module to the analysis of a real tourism destination. The topic of the assignment must be agreed upon with the instructor in advance.
• Final written examination (50%). The written examination consists of two open-ended questions: one covering the Tourism Planning module and one covering the Cultural Industries module.

During the final written examination, students are not allowed to bring or keep with them books, notes, mobile phones, smartwatches, earphones, tablets, or any other electronic or computing devices during the examination. Any violation of this rule will result in exclusion from the examination. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is strictly prohibited. Any use of such tools constitutes a breach of academic integrity. Students must present a valid photo ID in order to sit the final written examination. Students who fail to present a valid photo ID, or who present an expired ID or an ID without a photograph, will not be admitted to the examination.

The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale and is determined by combining the results of the three assessment components according to the weights indicated above.
Detailed instructions regarding the group assignments, assessment criteria and examination procedures will be provided at the beginning of the course and made available through the University e-learning platform.
Registration through AlmaEsami is mandatory in accordance with the University's general regulations. Students who are not registered by the registration deadline will not be admitted to the examination.

Refusal of the Grade

Students may refuse a passing grade (18/30 or higher) only once. To do so, they must notify the instructor by email no later than the day before the scheduled date for grade registration.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or Disabilities

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's Disability and SLD Office well in advance: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it .

The Office will propose any necessary accommodations. These must be submitted to the instructor for approval at least 15 days before the examination. The instructor will assess the appropriateness of the requested accommodations in relation to the learning outcomes of the course.

 

Teaching tools

Slides, scientific papers, policy reports, statistical data, case-study materials and multimedia resources will be made available through the University e-learning platform.

Office hours

See the website of Laura Vici