Learning outcome

After completing the course the student should have the following learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills and competences:

• to acquire general knowledge about the difference in experiences, attractions, events and destinations
• to acquire an understanding of different types of attractions
• to acquire knowledge about theories and models for the development of events and attractions

Course Description

First, this course will provide an overview and understanding of the various types of tourist attractions and tourist activities (characteristics, structural conditions, market role, segment, etc.). Furthermore, the course will discuss different forms of experiences (seeing, learning, doing, being) and different elements of experiences (multi-sensory perception; contrast; participatory; narrative; authentic; individual) in different types of tourism (cultural tourism, theme park tourism, festival tourism, leisure tourism, sports tourism, charter tourism, ecotourism, etc.). In addition, the course will discuss the experience in itself as a part of the tourist product. Hence, the course introduce the students to the experience processes; the way experiences are created, planned, designed, directed, dramatized, visualized, etc. The course will encourage the students’ own ability to create good and varied experiences in the context of tourist attractions, at least in theory.

The following subjects / topics will be included:
- Theory on tourist attractions and tourist events
- Theories and models related to experiences in a tourism context
- "Experience design": models of development and arrangement of experiences
- Theory and methods of conceptualization/concept development, such as storytelling and theming

Teaching and Learning Methods

2-4 hours in the spring semester. The tuition will vary between traditional lectures and seminars, group excursions.

Assessment Methods

Assessment of the course consists of the following elements:

a) Term (40%)
b) Oral presentation (20%)
c) Written exam, 4 hours (40%)

Grades are assigned (A-E). For the approval of assessment, all examinations must be passed.

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