APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2014/2015

ELE 3765 The Tourism Industry

Responsible for the course
Georg Kamfjord

Department
Department of Innovation and Economic Organisation

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
Norwegian

Introduction
Most people in their career come into contact with the tourism industry. The tourism industries versatile character causes companies, organizations or public administration to get involved with the industry as an employee, customer or supplier.

A large number of managers in the tourism industry has bachelor's and master's degree in finance or marketing. The fact that most do not have a theoretical background in tourism has not stopped them in their careers, but many would obviously wished they had known the main features of the industry's content, structure and behavior when they started .

The course will open for insight into basic knowledge and leadership challenges in the tourism industry - knowledge, making it easier to apply for jobs within the industry. For students in finance and marketing, the course will also be a good basis for assignments and projects where tourism is part of the theme, and as an insight into the specific challenges of the tourism industry involves traditional management subjects.

Learning outcome
Acquired Knowledge
After completing the course, students should have:

• Gained an understanding that the tourism industry is very complex and diverse.
• Established understanding and respect for the industry's many stakeholders and its commercial aspects (market, income and cost drivers) and the need for multidisciplinary expertise.
• Acquired comprehensive understanding of the core elements and systems in the industry. They should also be able to see their own discipline in light of the tourism industry's specific challenges.

• Outline the dynamics and context of the tourism industry.
• Identify industry players, products and markets.
• Explain the industry cost and revenue drivers.
• Outline the main challenges in marketing and know the management challenges of collaboration.

1. Tourism - industry or conglomerate
2. Tourism in Norway - key figures and perspectives
3. Markets, travel patters, consumption and trends
4. The experience element in all tourism products
5. Stakeholders and decisionmakers in the tourism industry
6. The role and function of the single business in a destination context
7. Challenges for making tourism a sustainable industry
8. The holistic experience - making profitable business through network and cooperation
9. Management challenges for tourism oriented businesses - profitability, branding and distribution
10. Where do we go? How do Norway gain internation competitiveness in the future