70074 - Geography of Tourism (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the principal aspects of tourism as geographical phenomenon for excellence. This argument will be approached with particular reference to its historical evolution, supply and demand, tourist flows, territorial structures and environmental impact. The student is able to recognize the positive and negative impacts of the tourism in different regions of the Earth and to individualize the tourist potential of the cultural and natural landscapes.

Course contents

The course is divided into two parts. The first one focuses on the basic aspects of the discipline and it considers the territory as a cultural complex product. On the basis of the historical reconstruction and historical reconstruction of the process of territorialization we will explore four levels of tourist image: global image, cultural image, perceived image, imaginary.

In such perspective, the second part will investigate, the effects that communication can have on tourist image perception. This will be done through Sentiment Analysis.

Students could use the access to the App2Check software to apply in the tourist field an Opinion Mining methodology to understand the narratives and the images of a tourist destination through the Web. Then, they can make a comparison between supply and demand and draw up a critical analysis about dyscrasias which can arise.

Readings/Bibliography

Programme for students attending the classes:

• Slides
• Project work in Sentiment Analysis about a place
• Albanese V., Il Territorio Mediato. Sentiment Analysis Methodology e sua applicazione al Salento, Bologna, BUP.

One book selected from

• Gavinelli D., Zanolin G., Geografia del Turismo Contemporaneo. Pratiche, narrazioni, luoghi, Carocci editore, 2019.
• Dell'Agnese E., Bon Voyage, UTET, 2018 

Programme for students non attending the classes two books selected from:

• Albanese V., Il Territorio Mediato. Sentiment Analysis Methodology e sua applicazione al Salento, Bologna, BUP

• Bagnoli L., Manuale di Geografia del turismo. Dal Grand Tour ai sistemi turistici, Torino, UTET, 2010
  
• Dell'Agnese E., Bon Voyage, UTET, 2018
  
• Gavinelli D., Zanolin G., Geografia del Turismo Contemporaneo. Pratiche, narrazioni, luoghi, Carocci editore, 2019.
• Turco A., Turismo e territorialità, Milano, Unicopli, 2012.

Teaching methods

The Course is based on the sporadic use of frontal lessons while, the greatest part of the hours will be based on the principle of the collective communication inviting the students to an active and dialogue role with the teacher. The didactics has enriched besides from frontal lessons, integrative seminars from experienced, operating professional and studious of sector as well as multimedia laboratories.

Assessment methods

The examination is an oral one for which students will have to register for on the AlmaEsami website.

Students attending the lessons will have a reduction in the amount of pages to study but will have to study the slides provided by the teacher.

For students attending the classes the exam will aim at testing their comprehension of the geographical, economical, social and cultural phenomena described during the lessons both by the teacher and the other students' presentations and discussed together. Participation to the discussion is a key element to evaluate the students, and with it personal reflection on the issues studied. Moreover, students will be evaluated on their communication skills and on the use of a correct terminology.

For students not attending the classes, the exam will aim at testing their comprehension of the geographical, economical, social and cultural phenomena studied, and during the exam they will be invited to propose a personal reflection on the issues studied. Moreover, they will be evaluated on their communication skills and on the use of correct terminology.

Teaching tools

Slides with powerpoint

geographic and thematic maps

Alternative media forgeographical communication (papers, storytelling, film, web sites etc.)

Office hours

See the website of Valentina Erminia Albanese