Introduction to Tourism

Non applicable

The curricular unit includes lectures, theoretical-practical classes and practical sessions, combining interactive teaching with the analysis of sources and data, case solving, collaborative work, oral presentations and fieldwork.

Interactive teaching and the analysis of texts, concepts and data support learning outcomes 1 to 5. Exercises, case studies and collaborative work promote knowledge application and critical thinking. Oral presentations develop synthesis, communication and argumentation skills. Fieldwork and territorial analysis address learning outcomes 3, 4 and 6 by linking knowledge, source interpretation and application in real settings. The assessment components complement one another in evaluating knowledge, communication and the ability to apply learning.

By the end of the curricular unit, students should be able to:

1. Understand the multidimensional, interdisciplinary and systemic nature of tourism and its development.

2. Define and apply the main tourism concepts, classifications, forms and types.

3. Characterise tourism demand and supply and interpret their indicators and interrelationships.

4. Analyse the tourism destination system, including competitiveness, sustainability and visitor experience.

5. Understand tourism organisation and governance at international, European, national, regional and local levels.

6. Select and interpret scientific, statistical and institutional information and apply it to the analysis of tourism situations and territories, taking contemporary challenges into account.

1. Tourism framework and development: Multidimensional nature and historical development of tourism.

2. Conceptual system and typologies: Concepts, classifications, forms and types; destination, product and tourism system.

3. Tourism demand and supply: Characteristics, determinants, segmentation and seasonality; resources, attractions, services and indicators; demand-supply relationships.

4. Destinations, competitiveness and sustainability: Ritchie and Crouch model; destination diagnosis and management.

5. Tourism organisation and governance: International, European and Portuguese tourism bodies; national, regional and local coordination.

6. Contemporary challenges and territorial application: Sustainability, climate and resilience, innovation, digitalisation/AI, accessibility and resident relations; case analysis and fieldwork.

The inforestudante digital platform supports the provision of materials, assignment submission and feedback.

A minimum final grade of 10 out of 20 is required to pass.

A. Continuous assessment - three compulsory components, with a minimum grade of 7 out of 20 in each:

1. Individual written test: 50%.

2. Oral presentations of assignments: 20%, individually assessed.

3. Practical classes and fieldwork: 30%, individually assessed, with assignments submitted via NONIO.

B. Assessment by examination - two compulsory components, with a minimum grade of 7 out of 20 in each:

1. Individual written test, lasting 60 minutes: 60%.

2. Individual oral defense of a syllabus topic, lasting up to 15 minutes: 40%.

NAO