TOURISM THEORY IN PRACTICE - 2020/1

Module Overview

The module is centred on an international field trip with the objective to provide the opportunity for students to experience first hand the complex practices and processes involved in tourist destination marketing, management, planning and development.

Module provider

Hospitality, Tourism & Events Management

Module Leader

SCARLES Caroline (Hosp & Tour)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

MAN1066 (Business of Tourism) is a pre-requisite for this module.

Module content

The thematic areas that the module focuses on include: 

• Tourism management (service providers, visitor attractions, visitor management, industry regulation, monitoring).


• Tourism planning and development (tourism policy, strategic planning, infrastructure)


• Tourism marketing (market research, strategy formulation, marketing communications)


• Tourism and sustainability (sustainability indicators, tourism impact assessment)

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

In the event that a group project will not be suitable for re-assessment, an individual essay (2500 words) will be assigned.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment methods are designed to encourage students to apply and further develop knowledge and skills by researching a practical topic through working on location with their peers. Assessments will evaluate students’ knowledge and critical understanding of tourism management, marketing, planning and sustainable development issues. Furthermore, their ability to interpret academic and other secondary sources and apply theory to practice, as well as to report their findings in a creative and businesslike manner will be tested. 


The assessment for this module consists of: a) group project based on fieldwork; b) an individual written reflexive essay 1500 words. Unmarked formative feedback will be provided to students through a range of approaches, including question and answer sessions in class and discussions using SurreyLearn.

Formative feedback

Students receive feedback throughout the semester via face to face teaching which will support them to complete the assessments.

Module aims

• The aim of the module is to engage students in practical application of existing tourism theory. Students are expected to adopt a critical approach to analysing a tourist destination, and to draw on insight gained by hands-on experience in researching and addressing tourism marketing, tourism management, tourism planning and sustainability issues.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The module is based on the application of knowledge and skills acquired from existing compulsory tourism modules. The delivery includes: 

• Three main sessions before the fieldtrip, to establish the theoretical background and brief students about the module aims, structure and assessment.


• Guest lectures with local tourism academics and key industry contacts at the destination, which will offer insight into latest issues concerning the destination. 


• Accompanied educational visits and directed fieldwork, which will allow students to apply tourism theory in practice while researching a special project. 


• A debriefing session after the fieldtrip, which will summarize and conclude the module.


• Web-based learning support and electronic resources will also be provided. 

*****N.B The cost of the trip will be covered by the participating students*****

The key teaching and learning strategy is problem-based learning.  By using a specific destination as a case study, the module will provide students with knowledge in the fields of applied tourism development and destination management and marketing, and will encourage them to explore, critically evaluate and apply theoretical perspectives in a specific setting.

The teaching and learning methods include presentations designed to provide an essential framework of knowledge and skills, and classroom-based discussions and tasks to develop students’ critical ability – culminating in an international fieldtrip incorporating guest lectures and primary research to offer students practical engagement in analysing a tourist destination’s sustainable development, management and marketing.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MAN2115

Other information

This module has a capped number and may not be available to ERASMUS and other international exchange students. Please check with the Global Engagement Office exchange and study abroad team.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.