Destination Management
Module Description
This module involves the management of all aspects of a destination that contribute to a visitor’s experience, including the perspectives, needs, and expectations of visitors such as the visitors themselves, the tourism industry, wider businesses, residents, and central and local government agencies.
Destination Management (DM) brings together different stakeholders to achieve the common goal of developing a well–managed, sustainable visitor destination. It is an ongoing process requiring destinations to plan and consider social, economic, cultural, and environmental risks and opportunities.
Adopting a DM approach enables communities and destinations to respond to changing conditions and determine the type of tourism they would like to have and the benefits they would like to receive, taking an active role in managing these.
This module focuses on providing knowledge for a tourist destination concept, the tourist destination management system, the concept of destination resources and attractions, tourist destination competitiveness, marketing of tourist destinations, and the tourist destination development planning process.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course will possess:
- A related qualification at EQF Level 4 such as the IATA Foundation in Travel and Tourism Diploma.
and/or
- One ‘A’ Level or equivalent and a pass in English Language* and Mathematics at EQF Level 3 (‘O’ Level or equivalent).
- In the case of mature students who do not possess all the formal required academic qualifications, then the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process could be applied such that if evidence of equivalent learning is found then the applicant could still be accepted in the course. Such RPL process will subject applicants to an interview held with a board of experts within the field, chosen specifically by IDEA Academy, so as to verify their experiences and prior learning.
*Students whose first language is not English and do not possess an ‘O’ level pass in English Language will be required to demonstrate English language capability at IELTS level 6.0 or equivalent.
Target Audience
This course is targeted at:
- Individuals seeking to advance their academic and professional knowledge in Travel and Tourism.
- Individuals wanting to pursue a wide range of career paths in the travel and tourism industry.
Career Paths
The potential positions for which this programme aims to prepare could be and are not limited to:
- Travel Consultant.
- Operations Manager.
- Event Organiser/ Planner/ Manager.
- Business Development Executive.
- Hotel Manager.
- Travel Agency Manager.
- Marketing Executive.
- Tour Operator.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Modular Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Formative Assessment
- Summative Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Learning Outcomes
Competences
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Define the Tourist Destination concept.
- Analyse the Tourist Destination Product.
- Describe tourist destination marketing strategies and the development of sustainable tourism.
- Investigate the constituents of a visitors’ experience and appraise how this can be enhanced.
- Delineate and examine the Tourism Destination Planning Process and the levels of tourism planning.
Knowledge
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Define the Tourist Destination concept.
- Analyse the Tourist Destination Product.
- Describe tourist destination marketing strategies and the development of sustainable tourism.
- Investigate the constituents of a visitors’ experience and appraise how this can be enhanced.
- Delineate and examine the Tourism Destination Planning Process and the levels of tourism planning.
Skills
- Create a tourism destination development strategy.
- Evaluate and apply a range of approaches used in destination management and marketing in relation to the different objectives of various types of destinations. ·
- Assess the possible impacts of development and the resource problems which will be found.
- Analyse the competitive status of a destination and its ability to respond to changes in the travel market through thorough research.
- Provide a level of stability and predictability in the progress of the overall development of tourism in a given area.
Module-Specific Learner Skills
- Analyse case studies of management and marketing in different types of destinations.
- Apply the marketing mix concept to a tourist destination.
- Assess approaches to destination management that endeavour to involve all stakeholders.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find, download, and upload assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials, etc.