Geographical areas (cities, but also natural areas, beaches, etc.) conform physical places where residents and visitors meet and interact. The examples of Amsterdam and Barcelona show that this interaction leads to tensions, but also offers possibilities. The programme will focus on the interaction between these factors and zoom into the way how geographical places develop and destinations are created and shaped.
This programme includes topics on management, place-making, technology, governance, hospitality and visitor intimacy. It also touches specifically on understanding cultural identities in places, as well as management and online marketing of destinations.
To be successful in place-making and destination management, good analytical skills, a critical sense and understanding of context related issues, and the ability to deal with that in a strategical way, are crucial.
Tourism interacts with (urban) societies at multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary level. Tourism services are the result of combined efforts of different stakeholders or actors (private and public), complex with many interdependencies.
The programme will be bringing a real-life case study into education and connect with business partners in cities (experts) to bring their professional expertise. This programme will widen and broaden the knowledge of students interested in taking this programme related to making places and shaping tourism destinations.