CRE26 Fundamentals of Tourism

University College Prague – University of International Relations and Institute of Hospitality Management and Economics, Ltd.
winter 2022
Extent and Intensity
2/2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Ing. Anna Ulrichová, PhD. (lecturer)
Ing. Anna Ulrichová, PhD. (seminar tutor)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Aim of the course: The objective is to introduce tourism as a global and fast growing phenomenon and examine its social, economic and environmental effects. The course provides information on the current trends in the global as well as European hospitality industry. This course looks at what the tourism industry is and does, and why it is such an important global business.

Students will be provided with the state-of-the-art knowledge and concepts of the tourism industry. Upon successful completion of this course students will be familiar with major principles of destination marketing and management and will understand the specifics of distribution channels and the impacts of new technologies. The course encompasses information on all travel sectors: accommodation, catering, attractions, travel organizers (tour operators and travel agents), food and beverage, events and conferences and the transportation sector. Students will understand the importance of the transportation sector, which enables travelling and therefore connects tourist generating areas with tourist destinations. Insights into the role of different modes of transport such as water, land and air will be provided. Students will acquire knowledge about the roles and the importance of the accommodation and catering industries in tourism. Particular attention will be paid to building knowledge of the travel trade sector which encompasses operations of tour operators and travel agencies. Knowledge of specific forms of tourism such as MICE tourism and Health and Spa tourism will be also provided during the course.

In addition, students will recognize the importance of natural resource conservation and sustainable tourism development. They will be provided with the knowledge of ecotourism and its benefits as well as dangers and limitations toward the life of local population. Special attention will be also paid to the future development of tourism and its growing role in international trade in services as well as its effects toward economic development and understanding foreign cultures.

The course also includes fundamentals of Tourism Geography. The concept of the UNWTO and general information about regional geography including tourist destination countries in Europe, Asia, Americas and Africa and the Middle East. The course comprises key elements of the geography of tourism such as geographic location, climate and tourism, the geographic distribution of resources for tourism, the geography of demand for tourism, the geography of transport flows.
Syllabus
  • Course description:
  • 1. Introduction and theoretical background
  • 2. The history of tourism
  • 3. The structure of the travel and tourism industry
  • 4. Tourism market - supply and demand in tourism
  • 5. Defining destination and its role in tourism development
  • 6. Destination development and management; the management of visitors
  • 7. The economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts of tourism
  • 8. Tourist generating regions. Geography basics. Statistics on tourism
  • 9. The organisation of the travel and tourism industry
  • 10. Tourism services- basic sectors of tourism (accommodation and catering services, transport services)
  • 11. Tourism services - additional services (guide, financial, animation etc.)
  • 12. Health and Spa Tourism, MICE
  • 13. Tourism and the future, overtourism
Literature
    required literature
  • INKSON, C and L MINNAERT. Tourism Management, an Introduction. Sage. ISBN 978-1-84860-870-2. 2012. info
    recommended literature
  • - Ministry for Regional Development of the Czech Republic: State Tourism Policy Concept in the Czech Republic for 2014-2020 (www.mmr.cz/cestovni-ruch)
  • GOELDNER, Ch., RITCHIE, B.: Tourism: principles, practices, philosophies, John Wiley and Sons,Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08459-5
Teaching methods
Lectures, class discussion, group projects, presentations by professionals in the sectors.
Active participation in class expected and required for credit.
Assessment methods
Required attendance in seminars (75% attendance = max.3 absences).
Class participation in discussions, case studies, presentations.
Grade based on mark of written test.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Information on completion of the course: z | zk
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms winter 2013, summer 2015, summer 2016, summer 2017, summer 2018, winter 2018, winter 2019, winter 2020, winter 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (winter 2022, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.ucp.cz/course/ucp/winter2022/CRE26