Competencies and objectives

 

Course context for academic year 2023-24

The course presents the basic conceptual contents in the field of local development and tourism. Thus, from an integrated perspective, the conceptual basis of local development, the most important sources, and the most notable synergies that tourism activity generates in the territories, not only from a socio-economic point of view, but also from a cultural, environmental and political point of view. In this sense, the course goes from the most general and conceptual to the most local and concrete territorial scales, in order to apply the "demonstration effect" of the experiences analysed. The development of the themes responds to a conceptual basis that deals with the evolution and contribution of local development in the context of economic growth and interventionism (top down), to the processes of social innovation, with a much more territorial character, and where the protagonists are the local actors (bottom up). We talk about local development versus economic growth, the role of national and international institutions and organisations, national and international sources, socio-demographic profiles that condition consumption and favour new products that are more in line with the precepts of local development, etc. Then there is a second, more instrumental part, where planning and management tools for territorial resources are explained and highlighted, ranging from local and territorial development policies, the promotion of tourism activities, the role of social networks, territorial brands, etc. Finally, it explains tourist modalities that fit in with the concepts of local development, analyses their repercussions on the territory and those elements that stand out and could be applied in other territories, taking into account the characteristics of the context (benchmarking).
The subject is related to "Introduction to the Geography of Tourism", which has an introductory and generalist function. This subject, which is taught in the first year of the Degree, must provide the student with a series of previous contents (essential vocabulary, basic concepts), offering, where appropriate, some simple examples of tourist areas (typologies). On the other hand, it is also related to the subject "Typologies of Tourist Spaces" in the second year of the degree and the optional subject of the area, "Tourist Activities in the rural environment" - which to a large extent transfers part of the general questions taught in the subject "Introduction to the Geography of Tourism" to a specific environment, although with greater depth.
It is also related to "Territorial Tourism Resources", a first-year subject, which focuses exclusively on the identification, study and classification of tourism resources. Finally, given the weight that has been given to the use of ICTs in this subject, it will have to consider the role that it subsequently wishes to play in the development of tourism resources.

 

 

Course content (verified by ANECA in official undergraduate and Master’s degrees) for academic year 2023-24

General Competences acquired at University of Alicante (CGUA)

  • CGUA4 : Be able to commit oneself ethically with sustainability, fundamental rights, equality of men and women, the principles of equal opportunity and universal accessibility for the disabled, as well as the values of a peaceful, democratic culture.

 

Specific Competences (CE)

  • CE1 : Understand the principles of tourism: its spatial, social, cultural, legal, political, labour and economic dimension.
  • CE14 : Understand the legal framework regulating tourist activities.
  • CE18 : Identify and manage tourist areas and destinations.
  • CE19 : Manage tourist areas in accordance with sustainability criteria.
  • CE23 : Analyse the impacts generated by tourism.
  • CE3 : Understand the dynamic and evolutionary nature of tourism in the new leisure society.
  • CE32 : Detect technical planning needs for tourist infrastructures and facilities.
  • CE4 : Understand the main political-administrative structures of tourism.
  • CE5 : Convert and empirical problem into an object of research and draw conclusions.
  • CE8 : Evaluate tourist potential and the prospective analysis of exploiting it.

 

 

 

Learning outcomes (Training objectives)

No data

 

 

Specific objectives stated by the academic staff for academic year 2023-24

Understand the relationships between strategic planning, local development and innovation processes. Learn concepts, apply strategies, elaborate products and propose solutions to territories with tourism resources, so that they can be used and converted into products. To analyse synergies with the local population. Identify opportunities and confront threats. Understand the contexts and meet their real needs.

To know the origins of rural and local development policies. LEADER Community Initiative and LAGs (Local Action Groups). Also other functions linked to local tourism development. Also the problem of depopulation and possible solutions (neo-rural).

To study and analyse the renewed socio-economic paradoxes and strategies. To understand the basic elements in strategic planning processes applied to local development. Distinguish the stages of participatory strategic planning to articulate new products. Citizen participation and sustainability (tools).
Apply development cooperation and responsible tourism. Experiential tourism. Develop territorial entrepreneurship and identify the elements involved in the entrepreneurial system.

Instruments in Tourism Policy and Local Development. Functions, tools and tourism system. Communication. Learning by doing, but knowing by doing.

Cinema as a tool for analysis and promotion of cities and tourist areas in general.

Cultural and natural resources, as instruments for the promotion and consolidation of local heritage and brand image (Place Branding).

The importance of the entrepreneurial spirit when carrying out tourism initiatives, both in the public administration and in small companies. Leadership and local development.

With the resources we have in local contexts, what actions and tourism products can we generate in our territories?

 

 

General

Code: 23752
Lecturer responsible:
Martínez Puche, Antonio
Credits ECTS: 6,00
Theoretical credits: 1,20
Practical credits: 1,20
Distance-base hours: 3,60

Departments involved

  • Dept: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
    Area: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
    Theoretical credits: 1,2
    Practical credits: 1,2
    This Dept. is responsible for the course.
    This Dept. is responsible for the final mark record.

Study programmes where this course is taught