1.
Knowledge and understanding:
Acquire a systematic knowledge of the theoretical foundations of tourism
economics and its interrelations with intercultural mediation.
2.
Applying knowledge and understanding:
Apply economic models and analytical tools to tourism markets, linking
development policies, digital innovation, and cultural mediation.
3.
Making judgments: Critically
assess public policies and business strategies in tourism, with particular
attention to intercultural and sustainability dimensions.
4.
Communication skills: Use economic
and tourism terminology effectively in both Italian and English, presenting
analyses clearly and with intercultural awareness.
5. Learning skills: Develop
the ability to pursue further studies and operate within public or private
contexts in the fields of tourism and sustainability.I. Theoretical foundations of tourism
economics –
Analysis of the origins and historical evolution of
the tourism phenomenon; structure and dynamics of the tourism system from an
economic perspective; definition and classification of demand and supply actors;
statistical and economic measurement of tourism and main indicators of its
impact on GDP and employment.
II. Economic policies and tourism
governance –
Study of tourism policies at international, European,
and national levels; examination of multi-level governance models; analysis of
strategic planning tools and institutional functions for regulation,
coordination, and sectoral promotion.
III. Tourism and regional development
in Sicily –
Analysis of sustainable and digital tourism
development strategies within the Sicilian regional context; study of cohesion
policies and funding programmes (FSC, Invitalia); assessment of tourism as a
driver of economic, cultural, and environmental regeneration.
IV. Innovation, digitalisation, and
tourism transformation –
Examination of technological innovation processes and
new paradigms in the tourism economy; applications of artificial intelligence,
big data, and digital platforms; development of experiential tourism, smart
destinations, and new models of intermediation.
V. Sustainability and corporate
social responsibility in tourism –
In-depth study of economic, environmental, and social
sustainability in the tourism sector; analysis of ESG criteria and
non-financial reporting tools; case study on Costa Crociere’s Sustainability Report 2024 as an example
of integration between economic performance and corporate responsibility.
VI. Economics and organisation of
accommodation facilities –
Economic analysis of hotel and non-hotel accommodation
structures; examination of sectoral regulation and classification systems;
management models and strategies for quality and competitiveness in the
hospitality industry.
VII. Professions, management, and
intermediation in tourism –
Study of the main professional roles within the tourism
system; functions and responsibilities of the Technical Director of travel
agencies and tour operators; managerial models, intercultural competences, and
linguistic-cultural mediation processes in global tourism.
VIII. Comparative analysis and case
study discussion –
Elaboration and synthesis
of regional, national, and international case studies; interpretation of
institutional data and reports (CNR, WTTC, OECD, UNWTO); critical discussion of
governance, innovation, and sustainability experiences in contemporary tourism.Main textbook:
Favro-Paris, M.M. (2017), Tourism. Economic Theory and Applications, Giappichelli,
Turin.
Total page count of the main required
text: 190 pages,
plus supplementary materials
Institutional sources:
·
UNWTO (2017) – Tourism and the Sustainable
Development Goals: Journey to 2030, World Tourism Organization,
Madrid.
·
WTTC (2024) – Travel & Tourism Economic
Impact Report 2024, World Travel & Tourism Council, London.
·
OECD (2024) – Tourism Trends and Policies
2024, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris.
·
CNR (2023) – Report on Italian Tourism –
26th Edition 2022–2023, National Research Council (IRISS-CNR),
Naples.
Supplementary materials:
·
Regione Siciliana (2025) – Regional Decree No. 2106 of 25
June 2025: Notice for incentives to hotel and non-hotel tourism enterprises,
Regional Department for Tourism, Sport and Entertainment.
·
Invitalia (2025) – Funding programmes for the
enhancement of tourism enterprises and the regeneration of territorial supply,
National Agency for Investment Attraction and Business Development S.p.A.
·
Costa Crociere (2024) – Sustainability
Report 2024, Costa Crociere S.p.A., Genoa.
Ministry of Tourism (2015) – Ministerial
Decree of 11 December 2015: Professional requirements for Technical Directors
of Travel and Tourism Agencies, Official
Gazette of the Italian Republic, No. 10, 14 January 2016.