Content

The DFP consists of research project and/or business plan related to the creation or improvement of an existing project, product or touristic company or the development of the research tasks related to some aspect of the tourism industry.

It recommends that all DFPs have an embedded element of sustainability and its three pillars (economic, social, and environmental) when doing research projects or developing business plans. Particular focus should be dedicated to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda 2030. Students are encouraged to research or develop solutions to contribute to the specific targets and indicators of the 17 UN integrated, indivisible goals. 

Additional attention should be dedicated to gender equality depending on DFP type:

• Research: as a stand-alone research topic (e.g., Gender differences: barriers and opportunities in the tourism sector) or reflection on different aspects of gender perspective should be evident within selected topic.
• Business plan: gender perspective should be apparent in ideation and creation of touristic products or services, general strategy, corporate culture, and organizational plan, among others.

 A) Research Project

Topic 1: Introduction. Preparation of the research proposal.

• The objective of this part is enable the student through the immersion in the scientific method, to plan and design a research proposal as a basis for the elaboration of the DFP. This objective will involve the identification of the area and economic research questions, a first review of existing methods and approaches and the preparation of a work plan. At the end of this part, the student has to submit a provisional research proposal.

Topic 2: Analysis of the Proposal

• In the second part, the objective is that the studentput into practice techniques for the search of academic and empirical information through the web, electronic and physical libraries and other physical reference points. For this reason, at the end of the module the student will present a list of academic references on the field of the research topic chosen by the student.

Topic 3: Research Proposal II

• Once the goals of the previous topics have been overcome, the student will elaborate a much more concrete and extensive research proposal. This will consist of a review of the chosen topic, the redefinition of research questions, theory and methods as well as planning the next steps of the project.

Topic 4: Development of DFP

• Finally, based on the proposal given in the previous topic, the student will begin to elaborate the DFP. Among the tasks that the student has to carry out are: 1) to finish gathering the data for the analysis, 2) to process and analyze the data, 3) to draw and compare the conclusions, 4) to apply the knowledge acquired tothe defined problem, 5) to write the DFP and 6) to submit it.

Topic 5: Conclusions, proposals and future alternatives

• This section should incorporate personal conclusions and not a compilation of the opinions of other authors.

B) Practical Project or Business Plan

Topic 1: Introduction. Preparation of the proposal.

• The student has to summarize his/her business idea and its model. Mainly, the student has to answer what he/she will do (what need he/she is going to satisfy in the market)? For whom (market segment)? how (the solution)? In general, in order to achieve this objective, several techniques for the idea generation (creativity techniques) will be shared to help the student to come up with his/her business idea for the development of the business plan.

Topic 2: Analysis of the Environment

• Answering the question where the new company or entrepreneurial project will operate, while using various analysis tools that have been learned during the Degree in Tourism.

Topic 3: Market Analysis and Marketing Plan

• In this part, the student has to describe and quantify the segment of the market for whom the product is being developed, as well as describe its positioning strategy. Under this topic the student will develop a marketing plan consistent with the needs of the segment and the analysis of the environment performed in the previous step of the business plan.

 Topic 4: Plan of the Operations

• Plan of the operations includes all those decisions related to the production and distribution of the proposed product or service.

 Topic 5: Human Recourses and Organizational Architecture

• In this phase, all aspects related to the organization (organizational architecture, structure, and culture)and human resources necessary to carry out the proposed business idea (number of people who will work in the new company, their position and functions, remuneration and profile) will be developed.

 Topic 6: Economic Viability  

• All the decisions taken previously will be reflected in an economic and financial plan that quantitatively justifies the proposed business idea.
• Financial plan will consist of initial Financial Statements (Balance Sheet and Income Statement), which include all the actions that have been taken to start the activity, the Treasury Budget (monthly), amortizations, etc. and the financial statements at the end of the first economic year.

Topic 7: Conclusions, proposals and future alternatives

• This section should incorporate personal conclusions and not a compilation of the opinions of other authors.