Syllabus for Introduction to Sustainable Destination Development

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course the student should be able to

• identify the three dimensions of sustainability - economical, ecological and social - within the systems and contexts in which destination development takes place,
• discuss destination development, sustainability and possible solutions to challenges for future sustainable destination development,
• create collaborative visions, values and goals for sustainable destination development,
• create strategies to innovatively implement interventions and transitions towards sustainable destination development,
• collaborate with and motivate different stakeholders for sustainable destination development and communicate with them orally and in writing.

Content

Basic discussion of sustainability and some sustainability challenges that destination development and the tourism industry are facing. An overview of how social, economic and ecological dimensions of destination development are connected. Exercises in searching for solutions to these challenges. Introduction to creating visions and goals for destination development. Basic discussion of the various stakeholders within destination development, and exercises in communication among them, and in how motivation and negotiation can be achieved. Discussion on various ways of teaching and learning sustainable destination development. Equal opportunities with respect to the Discrimination Act.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, supervision, study visits and exercises. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of the course, such as group exercises and independent tasks that are carried out together with the surrounding community.

Assessment

Written examination (5 credits) and presentation of group work (2.5 credits)

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding targeted pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.