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Social, Economic and Anthropological Strategies for Tourism Management in Cultural Heritage

Code: 44173
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Tourism Management in Cultural Heritage OB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Esteve Dot Jutglà
Email :
esteve.dot@uab.cat

Teaching staff (external to UAB)

Eugenia Altamirano
Jose Antonio Mansilla
Enrico Porfido
Ramón Castells Ros

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisits

Objectives

This module has a dual objective. First, to equip students with rigorous references from both anthropology and some fields of social sciences such as sociology, marketing and economics for incorporation into the tourist offer. On the other, offer students methods and tools to be able to carry out tourism projects (sociological, commercial and economic analyses) both within the framework of an organization, as well as in its independent professional practice. At the time, the contents also include the necessary tools to deepen the potential of social anthropology for the analysis of the tourist phenomenon associated with cultural heritage. 

Learning outcomes

  1. Integrate knowledge and use it to make judgements in complex situations, with incomplete information, while keeping in mind social and ethical responsibilities.
  2. Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  3. Work both individually and in interdisciplinary teams.
  4. Manage and develop original contributions in the framework of theoretical research and/or practical application.
  5. Present social, economic and anthropological criteria for the aims and objectives of heritage sites.
  6. Demonstrate professional sensitivity toward the reality of sustainable and accessible tourism, as well questions of vulnerability and social exclusion.
  7. Describe the main elements of the history of anthropology and the evolutionary processes of the main theories.
  8. Identify the origin and development of social and cultural anthropology for analysing the tourist sector.
  9. Show the use of heritage sites as a means of promoting social, economic and anthropological development.
  10. Use the basic methodology of anthropology and sociology to plan new intercultural projects and integrate tourist activity in society.
  11. Apply different types of discourse existing in the society of tourist consumption for the promotion of heritage resources.
  12. Interpret heritage sites to adapt the discourse to the different publics that visit them.
  13. Relate social, economic and cultural processes in the past with the those in the present and make them comprehensible to a varied audience.
  14. Design discursive proposals for the interrelationship between tourist resources and visitors.
  15. Identify the way in which cultural institutions manage and work with tourist resources through figures of sponsorship and donorship.
  16. Evaluate tourist projects from a social, economic, anthropological and marketing point of view.

Contents

The module contents refer to:

Both Anthropology and the tourist consumption of heritage: To deepen the potential of anthropology for the analysis of the cultural tourist phenomenon. Use of participating observation tools and application of anthropological research techniques. Theoretical tools of anthropology applied to cultural tourism: ritual, consumption and cannibalism. Taxonomies of cultural tourists and cultural tourism, as well as the various functions of cultural tourism from a social and anthropological point of view.

As to anthropology, cultural tourism and cultural institutions and companies: The understanding of time and space in the creation of cultural tourism: authenticity, ethnicity and acculturation. Cultural heritage and its commodification, consumer tourists versus their hosts the creators of products (institutions and companies). Institutions, foundations, patronage, cultural tourism companies, laws that cover and protect heritage

Also to the sociology and analysis of the environment and segment of the market to which a cultural tourism project is directed: Relevant studies on the preparation, dissemination of heritage treatment in museum spaces and interpretation centres and the profiles of visitors. Accessible and sustainable tourism as a tool of social inclusion.

As well as marketing as a tool for defining a cultural heritage tourism project: Tools for an analysis of social and economic costs and benefits around a cultural tourism project. Generation and validation of the \"idea\" for the development of a cultural heritage tourism project. The market to which to target both real and potential. Instruments for the visualization of a project and for the management of tourism projects. Analysis of the organizational and financial aspects to be taken into account for its perfect execution.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Oral Presentations, Works 23.5 0.94 2, 3, 4, 10, 16
Study 72.5 2.9 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14
Classroom 26 1.04 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Workshop 22 0.88 2, 5, 6, 13, 16

The teaching methodologies to be used in this module will be a combination of:

  • Exhibition classes
  • Visits to cultural management companies, fieldwork outings*
  • Tutorials
  • Reading articles, reports and books of interest
  • cooperative learning

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.

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.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Synthesis tests 10% 2 0.08 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15
Attendace and active participation 20% 0 0 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, 15
Oral Presentations, Works 35% 4 0.16 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16
Works delivery 35% 0 0 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 14

The evaluation system is based on:

  • Obligation of classroom assistance with a minimum of 80% and active participation
  • Work Delivery
  • Oral Defence of the Works
  • Synthesis Tests

Irregularities in an assessment activity

Any irregularity committed during an assessment activity (including academic fraud, plagiarism or the improper use of AI, unless such use has been expressly authorized) will result in a grade of 0 for that assessment activity.

Where obtaining a minimum grade in that assessment is an essential requirement for passing the course, or where multiple irregularities occur in different assessment activities within the same course, the student's final grade for the course will be 0.

In addition, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who commits any of these irregularities.

Bibliography

HARRISON, Rodney (2020). Heritage futures: Comparative approaches to natural and cultural heritage practices. UCL Press.

ICOMOS (2022). International Charter for Cultural Heritage Tourism: Reinforcing cultural heritage protection and community resilience through responsible and sustainable tourism. ICOMOS.

MASON, Peter (2020). Tourism impacts, planning and management (4th ed.). Routledge.

PEREIRO, Xerardo (2016). Antropología del turismo. Síntesis.

RICHARDS, Greg (2021). Rethinking cultural tourism. Edward Elgar Publishing.

UNESCO (2023). Culture 2030 indicators. UNESCO.

YU, Pei-Lin, LERTCHARNRIT, Thanik, & SMITH, George S. (Eds.). (2023). Heritage and cultural heritage tourism: International perspectives. Springer.

ZHU, Yujie (2021). Heritage tourism: From problems to possibilities. Cambridge University Press.

Software

At Moodle Platform

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
(TEm) Theory (master) 1 Spanish second semester afternoon