Geography of Tourist Destinations

The course aims to make students acquire basic knowledge of economic geography, with insights into the tourism sector. The training is aimed at transmitting the basic structures (logical and methodological) as well as offering a knowledge of the main territorial, demographic, economic and social aspects in which the territory is articulated; to be able to use a mainly explanatory-applicative-scientific level of study; to transmit the concepts of theoretical, spatial, organizational and managerial interpretations of national and international tourist destinations.Through an interdisciplinary methodological approach, and consistent with the system of European Descriptors of Dublin, the course pursues the following expected learning results: knowledge and understanding or the student acquires knowledge and conceptual tools in the field of the geography of tourism, with particular reference to notions such as leisure and types of tourism (e.g. urban, rural, etc.), also in relation to some cutting-edge topics such as sustainability, sustainable tourism etc. with the support of the in-depth materials proposed during the course. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student is able to apply this knowledge with a professional approach, using the tools of the geography of tourism to analyze empirical research cases and to build and support arguments on the potential of the territories in relation to different types of tourism observed also through external educational visits and invitations from operators/experts from the world of work in the context of the exercises and group work provided for by the course. Autonomy of judgment: the student develops the ability to collect and interpret data and information related to tourism phenomena, elaborating autonomous judgments and reflections that take into account the social, economic, environmental implications, also in light of the sustainable development objectives of the 2030 Agenda recalled in the course. Communication skills: the student acquires the ability to communicate information, experiences, ideas, problems and possible solutions through active participation in lectures, work groups, report presentations and debates on course topics. Learning skills: the student develops the necessary skills to continue with an adequate degree of autonomy the study of tourism phenomena and their transformations, through the critical and conscious use of bibliographic sources and the in-depth studies proposed during the course also thanks to the use of explanatory material focused on the web, meetings with external experts and group discussions to implement communication skills and learning skills. Upon completion of the training activity, theoretical and practical knowledge of some tourist destinations is acquired to plan itineraries for the purpose of enhancing the territories.

A basic knowledge of physical geography is required with advisable attendance of the zero course "The World and Its Countries" (lectures available at the beginning of the first didactic semester), and in-depth knowledge of elements of economics. Also required is an ability to make interdisciplinary connections particularly with acquired knowledge of economics and sociology disciplines, with adequate technical linguistic expression regarding knowledge.

For Erasmus students and foreigners it is' possible to agree an alternative program in English. Really foreign students can choose a written test in English.
English text: Stephen Williams, Alan A. Lew, Tourism Geography: Critical Understandings of Place, Space and Experience (3rd Edition), Routledge, New York, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-0415854443

Articles and chapters Useful available on stadium e.g. 

-Privitera D. (2025) Climate change and food tourism: insight from the Sicilian context, in Fusté-Forné F., Wolf E. (eds), Food and Beverage Tourism on Islands, Edward Elgar Publishing.

During the didactic semester of face-to-face lectures (first semester) there will be written midterm tests, working groups with oral presentations of applied real cases, and a final individual written test (multiple-choice test). During the exam session appeals will be oral. The student's evaluation is assigned according to mastery of topics, expository skills, knowledge of disciplinary vocabulary, critical and interdisciplinary insights and related applied understanding. Also from the ability to interact in working groups. Participation in seminars, external visits to institutions and workshops organized during the teaching semester will be of added value. Verification of learning may also be conducted electronically, should conditions require it.

Numerous and frequent application examples of questions/exercises for each topic covered will be addressed during the lectures. Tutorials are scheduled before individual written midterm exams. The oral examination tends to test the skills acquired and the ability to elaborate, critically investigate and feedback according to the reference texts and additional material in the application of theoretical knowledge excluding purely mnemonic knowledge.

Examples type of questions: explain the concept of economic sustainability by highlighting at least one application example in reality; megacities with examples in the world; cross-border companies and the importance of external economies; the characteristics of selfie tourism with real examples of destinations; creation of an example of itinerary according to different types and tourist destinations (e.g. cycling or religious tourism).