Module Identifier RD21110  
Module Title INTERNATIONAL TOURISM IN PRACTICE  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Ioan Fazey  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Mr Ian P Keirle  
Course delivery Lecture   12 hours of lectures, to take place during the field trip  
  Other   Field trip (approximately 1 week)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment GROUP PRESENTATION DURING FIELDTRIP Outcomes assessed: 4, 5, 650%
Semester Exam1 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 350%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours Examination to assess all outcomes100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the tourism destination development process

Analyse a range of strategic responses to the various problems of mass tourism

Evaluate the development and implementation of tourism policies in a particular destination, with particular reference to the growth of alternative tourism

Plan and perform a range of field research techniques

Analyse data collected through field research

Effectively communicate specific research findings

Brief description

This module is based around a fieldtrip to an overseas tourism destination, FOR WHICH THERE WILL BE A COST TO STUDENTS. The aims of the module are to enable students to:

Demonstrate a detailed understanding of tourism in a specific destination by studying it first hand
Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the impacts, challenges and constraints associated with the development of mass tourism in a specific destination area
Explain and evaluate tourism policy, with particular relevance to the promotion of alternative tourism
Plan and carry out a variety of field research methods among tourists and/or tourism industry personnel, e.g. questionnaires, audits, observation
Analyse the data so collected using a variety of statistical and presentational techniques
Work as a part of a group to prepare and give a presentation on a specific aspect of the field research

Content will vary to some extent on the particular destination that is being visited. Lecture material presented in the course of the fieldwork is expected to include

The destination development process
Issues and problems associated with mass tourism development; design and implementation of management strategies
Development and implementation of tourism policy, with particular reference to the promotion of alternative tourism

Practical activities are expected to include:

Fieldwork among tourists, e.g. observation of behaviour at a specific visitor attraction, questionnaires among ex-patriate community, interviews with tourists at a specific heritage site, etc

Some assessment for this module will take place during the course of the fieldtrip

Module Skills

Problem_solving Lectures will encourage an understanding of the problems of tourism destination development and a variety of potential means of addressing these. Assessed in the examination.  
Research skills Fieldtrip will involve practical application of a number of relevant research methods, e.g. questionnaires, interviews. Assessed in presentations.  
Communication Student presentations will be made, using appropriate ICT. Examinations will assess writing in an academic context.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Fieldwork project will require both personal time management and group negotiation. Examination will require planning skills.  
Team work Group-based fieldwork, leading to assessed presentation  
Information Technology Analysis of data collected during fieldtrip research method application sessions. Use of PowerPoint for making assessed presentation.  
Application of Number Data analysis of fieldwork and application. Assessed in presentation.  
Personal Development and Career planning International tourism is a high-profile sector of the world tourism industry. As such, studying this module will give students important insights into career possibilities.  

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5