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2020/2021

Tourism Geography

Code: 104952 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
2500894 Tourism FB 1 2
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Contact

Name:
Francesc Romagosa Casals
Email:
Francesc.Romagosa@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
english (eng)
Some groups entirely in English:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
No
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
Yes

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites.

Objectives and Contextualisation

The course aims to approach the geographical knowledge of the world with the essential aim of helping students understand the context where tourism occurs. First, an introduction to the geography of the planet Earth is made, working with maps as a basic tool of geographic science. Second, the current situation of tourism worldwide is explained, analysing the different regions of the world with a perspective that combines geography and tourism. The contents of this course will enable future graduates in tourism have basic knowledge and tools to develop their professional activity, as in the field of tourism, territory and destinations play an important role.

At the end of the course the student will have to:

1. Know the general geographical aspects of the planet Earth.

2. Learn the basic techniques of representing Earth with maps, and the main types of maps.

3. Know how to correctly interpret a map and know its basic characteristics.

4. Know the basic geographical characteristics of the various regional areas of the planet.

5. Know the main characteristics of tourism regions and tourism flows worldwide.

Competences

  • Behave responsibly towards the environment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of tourism in all its dimensions and areas.
  • Develop a capacity for independent learning.
  • Identify and evaluate the elements of a tourism system and how they interact with and impact the environment.
  • Plan, organise and coordinate a work team, creating synergies and showing empathy.
  • Self-assess the knowledge acquired.
  • Use communication techniques at all levels.
  • Work in a team.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Behave responsibly towards the environment.
  2. Develop a capacity for independent learning.
  3. Identify elements of world geography, together with the main regional tourism resources.
  4. Identify the basic principles of tourism from a geographic perspective.
  5. Plan, organise and coordinate a work team, creating synergies and showing empathy.
  6. Self-assess the knowledge acquired.
  7. Use communication techniques at all levels.
  8. Work in a team.

Content

1. General geography

            1.1. Introduction to Geography

            1.2. The Earth

            1.3. Maps and cartography

            1.4. General physical geography

            1.5. General human geography

2. Global tourism geography

            2.1. Tourism at the global scale

            2.2. Physical and political geography of Europe

            2.3. Tourism geography of Europe

            2.4. Physical and political geography of America

            2.5. Tourism geography of America

            2.6. Physical and political geography of Africa

            2.7. Tourism geography of Africa

            2.8. Physical and political geography of Asia and the Pacific

            2.9. Tourism geography of Asia and the Pacific

Methodology

The course has three parallel ways of operation:

a) Methodology for the theoretical part of the course: Lectures on the different parts of the syllabus throughout the fourteen teaching weeks of the course, supported by PowerPoint presentations.

b) Methodology for the practical part of the course: During the course the professor will propose performing various assignments related to the theoretical part of the course, which will be conducted outside class hours.

c) Methods of operation of the Virtual Campus: The Virtual Campus platform will be used to add information and alternative means of communication between students and the professor. Virtual Campus will complement the theory with complementary materials, the syllabus and description of practical work, as well as marks.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Classroom activities 42 1.68 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 6
Type: Supervised      
Tutorials 5 0.2 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 6, 8
Type: Autonomous      
Practical assignments 40 1.6 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 6, 8
Study 60 2.4 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 6

Assessment

The evaluation of this course consists of the following system:

a) The completion of three partial exams, which will be worth 60% of the final grade (20% each exam) and will include the subject exposed in the theoretical lectures. 

b) The performance of the proposed assignments throughout the course and delivered within the deadline, it will be worth 40% of the final grade.

In order to average final mark, a minimum mark of 4 out of 10 in each of the parts subject to evaluation is required.

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
First partial exam 20% 1 0.04 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 6
Practical assignments 40% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 6, 8
Second partial exam 20% 1 0.04 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 6
Third partial exam 20% 1 0.04 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 6

Bibliography

- BARRADO, A. & CALABUIG, J. (2001). Geografía mundial del turismo. Madrid: Ed. Síntesis.

- BONIFACE, B., COOPER, R. & COOPER, C. (2020). Worldwide destinations. The geography of travel and tourism (8th edition). London: Routledge.

- CRESPI, M. & PLANELLS, M. (2011). Destinos turísticos. Madrid: Ed. Síntesis.

- MARSTON, S.A. et al. (2017). World regions in global context. Harlow: Pearson Education.

- MARTÍN, E.Mª. & NIETO, A. (2014). Territorio y turismo mundialAnálisis geográfico. Madrid: Ed. Centro de Estudios Ramón Areces.

- MATTHEWS, J.A. & HERBERT, D.T. (2008). Geography: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.

- MESPLIER, A. & BLOC-DURAFFOUR, P. (2000). Geografía del turismo en el mundo. Madrid: Ed. Síntesis.

- SANTANA SANTANA, A. et al. (2014). Geografía. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

- WILLIAMS, S. (2009). Tourism Geography: a new synthesis. Roudledge.

- WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (2019). The travel & Tourism Competitiveness report 2019. Geneva.

www.world-tourism.org (Documents and statistics on international tourism).