Course Objectives

The course will give the students:

• An introduction to, and a basic understanding of the competitive situation in the travel industry, the public assistance system and the use of commercial-policy methods, as well as the working arenas of industry’s own special-interest organisations.
• An understanding of the theoretical basis within the field of service management, and providing an overview of the various branches within service management and how these may be used in practical planning in travel industry businesses.
• An understanding of nature-based tourism.
• The theoretical concepts used within the travel industry.

Course Description

The content of the course has been adapted for students with no previous knowledge or experience of the travel industry, and will serve as an introductory course where the emphasis is on understanding the working premises of the travel industry in an international environment. There is an emphasis on showing the resource basis and relationship between cultures, the natural environment and the various players in the travel industry. Excursions and company visits are included. In addition, there will be a relevant excursion of three days to a local educational institution in order to learn how training programmes for the tourism industry are developed.

Learning Methods

The teaching is divided into three independent teaching blocks. The first part comprises 30 hours of teaching and parts 2 and 3 comprise 40 hours each.

Study location: Mexico. The course may be included in a study programme at Telemark University College and educational institutions that collaborate with Telemark University College.

Assessment Methods

A mid-semester 4-hour written examination counts for 30% of the final grade, and a 5-hour written final examination counts for 50%. In addition, a project assignment counts for 20% of the final grade. The assignment comprises 10-12 pages and must be written in English. The deadline for submission is 3 weeks before the final examination.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean