Tourist Destinations and Resources
Code: 107765Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism | FB | 2 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Esteve Dot Jutglà
- Email :
- esteve.dot@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are not.
Objectives
This subject aims at analysing the phenomenon of tourism from a fundamentally territorial and geographical perspective. The analysis involves a range of elements that make up the system of tourism, and most especially those relating to tourist resources. The historical evolution of territorial development within tourism will be analysed, as well as the current situation at both national and international levels, differing typologies of tourist destinations, the impact deriving from tourist activities on these destinations, and current challenges in sustainability applied to tourism.
OBJECTIVES OF KNOWLEDGE
At the end of the course, the student should:
1. Understand the phenomenon of tourism from a spatial and developmental perspective.
2. Be aware of tourist resources and factors of tourism localisation within a given territory.
3. Understand the historical evolution that tourism has undergone, from its origins until the present.
4. Be able to analyse the impact of tourism on its destinations, thus fostering students’ critical and analytical abilities regarding such impact as deriving from tourist activities.
5. Acquire an introductory knowledge of concepts of sustainability and sustainable tourism on land planning for tourism.
6. Know and distinguish the principal typologies of tourist spaces and their distinct characteristics.
Learning outcomes
- CM10 (Carry out projects that can improve the distribution of tourist flows.) Carry out projects that can improve the distribution of tourist flows.
- CM11 (Design presentations on destinations and tourism resources that take into account the sector’s sustainability principles.) Design presentations on destinations and tourism resources that take into account the sector’s sustainability principles.
- KM12 (Identify the basic geographic principles of tourism.) Identify the basic geographic principles of tourism.
- KM13 (Associate global destinations and geographic resources with tourism development.) Associate global destinations and geographic resources with tourism development.
- KM14 (Identify geographic gender inequalities in the tourism sector.) Identify geographic gender inequalities in the tourism sector.
- SM17 (Classify the main tourist destinations and regional resources.) Classify the main tourist destinations and regional resources.
- SM18 (Analyse the environmental and social impact of the main regional tourist resources nearby.) Analyse the environmental and social impact of the main regional tourist resources nearby.
Contents
1. Destinations and the tourism system
1.1. Destinations as the tourism system
1.2. Tourism resources
1.3. Tourism products
2. Evolution and management of tourism
2.1. Mass tourism and the Fordist Model
2.2. The transition to the Post-Fordist Model
2.3. Tourism development models and the destination life cycle
2.4. Territorial impacts of tourism
2.5. Tourist destinations and sustainability
2.6. Tourism territorial planning and strategic management
3. Tourist areas
3.1. Types of tourist destinations
3.2. Tourism in coastal areas
3.3. Tourism in urban areas
3.4. Tourism in rural areas
3.5. Tourism in natural spaces and mountainous areas
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 45 | 1.8 | CM10, CM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, SM17, SM18 |
| Theoretical class | 28 | 1.12 | CM10, CM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, SM17, SM18 |
| Tutorials | 2 | 0.08 | CM10, CM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, SM17, SM18 |
| Study and readings | 56 | 2.24 | CM10, CM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, SM17, SM18 |
| Classroom activities | 16 | 0.64 | CM10, CM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, SM17, SM18 |
The course has three operating tools:
a) Methodology for the Theoretical Section
In class lectures during eleven weeks. The classes will have visual support (Power Point presentations).
b) Methodology for Practical Section
The subject has a practical part to relate it to the theoretical part.
On one band, it is proposed to carry out two obligatory practical projects. These will be held in groups and outside of class hours, except the oral presentation. The practices include the realisation of a document in paper or digital format for the evaluation.
On another hand, it is proposed to carry out 6 obligatory practical exercises. These will be done individually and during class hours. The exercises include the realisation of a document in digital format for evaluation.
c) The Virtual Campus
Campus Virtual platform will be used to complement information and alternative means of communication between students and teacher. In the Virtual Campus it will be complementary material in digital format, covering theory, course syllabus, as well as the information on the assignments.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
This subject allows the use of AI technologies as an integral part of the submitted work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution from the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity.
Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, or the work may even be awarded a zero. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fisrt partial exam | 25 | 1.5 | 0.06 | CM10, CM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, SM17, SM18 |
| Practical exercises | 20 | 0 | 0 | CM10, CM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, SM17, SM18 |
| Practical projects | 30 | 0 | 0 | CM10, CM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, SM17, SM18 |
| Second partial exam | 25 | 1.5 | 0.06 | CM10, CM11, KM12, KM13, KM14, SM17, SM18 |
A) CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
The evaluation of this course consists of the following system:
a) Two partial exams, covering course material, 50% of the final grade.
b) Two practical projects (it includes oral presentations) submitted within the deadline, 30% of the final grade.
c) The completion of six practical exercises projects submitted within the deadline, 20% of the final grade.
In order to have a final mark, students must obtain (in all the activities included in "a" and "b") at least 4 out of 10 points. In part "c" an average of the set of activities is calculated, and a minimum of 4 out of 10 must also be obtained.
Participation in classroom activities will be positively valued, adding half a point to the final mark.
B) SINGLE ASSESSMENT
The completion of the final exam (60%) and the practical assignment that the professor will indicate (40%).
Date and time established by the academic calendar in the Official Programming Centre.
The evaluation of the subject has the REASSESSMENT to recover the Continuous Assessment or the Single Assessment.
The grade for the subject will be NOT EVALUABLE when the student attends less than half of the assessment activities and/or does not attend the final exam.
In any case the evaluation will be in English only.
In accordance with the current academic regulations, “in the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject”.
Bibliography
- BLANCO, A. et al. (2021). Diccionario de Turismo. Madrid: Ed. Cátedra.
- BLASCO, A. (2006). Tipologías turísticas. Girona: Xarxa d’Escoles de Turisme.
- DONAIRE, J. A. & POCH, M. (Eds.). (2024). Un nou turisme per a un nou escenari. Institut d'Estudis de l'Autogovern.
- GENERALITAT DE CATALUNYA (2009). Atles del turisme a Catalunya. Barcelona: Direcció General de Turisme (consultable a: www.atlesturismecatalunya.cat).
- LÓPEZ, F., VERA, J. F., TORRES, A. & IVARS, J. A. (2022). El turismo, ¿fin de época? Desafíos de España como destino turístico en un nuevo escenario. Publicacions de la Universitat de València.
- NELSON, V. (2021). An Introduction to the Geography of Tourism. Rownan & Littlefield: Lanham.
- PRIESTLEY, G.K. & LLURDÉS, J.C. (dirs.) (2007). Estrategia y gestión del turismo en el municipio. Bellaterra: Servei de Publicacions de la UAB.
- PEREIRA, V. et al. (2021). Sustainability Practices in Hospitality: Case Study of a Luxury Hotel in Arrábida Natural Park. Sustainability 13, 3164.
- RICHARDS, G. (2025). Cultural Tourism: An Integrative Review. Tourism & Management Studies, 21(4), 19-31.
- ROMAGOSA, F. (2020). The COVID-19 crisis: Opportunities for sustainable and proximity tourism. Tourism Geographies, 22(3), 690-694.
- ROMAGOSA, F., DOT, E., MLAKAR, A. & GORENAK, M. (2025). Sustainability in European luxury tourism companies: An analysis of practices and managerial perspectives. Tourism Review, 80(2), 497-512.
- Sharpley, R. & Telfer, D. J. (2023). Rethinking tourism and development. Edward Elgar Publishing.
- TIMOTHY, D. J. (2021). Cultural Heritage and Tourism. Channel View Publications.
- VERA, J.F. et al. (2011). Análisis territorial del turismo y planificación de destinos turísticos. València: Ed. Tirant Lo Blanch.
- WILLIAMS S. & LEW A.A. (2015). Tourism Geography: Critical Understandings of Place, Space and Experience. London & New York: Routledge.
Software
There isn't.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 2 | English | second semester | morning-mixed |