Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality

Overview

Tourism is one of the most motivating activities for any person. It fills us with enthusiasm, with the desire to get to know new places and establish new bonds. The trip begins long before we start it: when we dream about it, when we imagine ourselves visiting places, tasting flavors, getting to know new cultures. In it we enjoy, investigate, discover and above all, we are amazed with experiences to be revealed. “Once a year go somewhere you've never been before” (Dalai Lama), is one of the phrases that surely awakens in us the desire to take a trip soon to unveil new directions. In this online course we will analyze the main characteristics of this phenomenon. The concepts of tourism and hospitality will allow us to address the relevance they have on the economy, culture and environment worldwide. You will learn the importance of incorporating good practices in tourism and hospitality; respecting cultural diversity, the environment, tangible and intangible heritage, and thus generate a conscious and sustainable tourism. Course objectives: - Understand the complexity of the tourism phenomenon. - Recognize the importance of the interrelationship between the tourist and the natural, socioeconomic and cultural environment. - Understand the characteristics of transportation, hotel, and gastronomic services companies as an integral part of the tourism system, in digital environments. - To learn the specific technical language of the sector. - Identify techniques, strategies and frameworks for action to achieve sustainable tourism development.

Syllabus

Tourism and hotel concepts

In the first module we will approach the notions of tourism and hospitality. Types and classification. The tourist and his motivations: Why do we like to travel? The history of tourism and hospitality: origin and evolution.

Tourism as a socioeconomic phenomenon and service activity. Components of the tourism market

This week we will develop tourism supply and demand, tourism service and product, seasonality, travel flows, tourist behavior and profile. We will also look at the economic contribution of tourism to local development, and the implications of the hotel sector in the economy and the challenges it presents.

New modalities in tourism activity. Investment, connectivity and digital transformation in the sector

In this module we will address the new tourism habits and consumption, the emerging tourism destinations. We will also analyze the characteristics of the new forms of tourism and digital transformation as a differential value within the tourism sector.

Tourism and global warming: adaptation and mitigation. Heritage sites and sustainable tourism

In this last module we will look at climate as a travel preference factor. In turn, we will delve into the negative impacts of tourism and the environment, and the recommendations of the United Nations to the tourism sector. On the other hand, we will review the requirements necessary to practice sustainable tourism and the importance of tourism in the ecological footprint.