Accessible Tourism (online) (5 ECTS)

Learning outcomes

The purpose of this course is to deepen your understanding in responsible tourism, especially in social responsibility. You will learn what accessibility means in tourism context and different concepts within accessible tourism. After this course you understand the basic principles of accessibility from different customers perspectives and can apply the knowledge in different phases of customer journey in tourism. Competences: Tourism business, Ethics, Sustainable development Learning outcomes: You can list different customers who need accessible services and identify legislation that governs accessibility issues. You know accessibility principles and key concepts of accessible tourism. You identify how to apply accessibility principles in different phases of customer journey.

Content

Accessibility principles and key concepts in accessible tourism Accessibility legislation Specifics and needs of different customer groups Service journey and accessibility.

Prerequisites

Understanding the basics of business functions Understanding the special features of tourism industry.

Teaching methods

This course is an online course, and requires participation in webinars, independent study skills, execution of an independent company visit, completion of assignments (pre-assignment and report), discussion and presentation of results, and assessment of own learning. To participate in webinars, you need a functional camera, headphones and microphone

Location and time

When the course starts, Moodle e-learning workspace will open and pre-assignment will be published. There are five webinars on Zoom during this course and in between the webinars students study independently according to the instructions given by the teacher. The course ends on 19th December 2025.

Learning materials and recommended literature

Accessible tourism for all: an opportunity within our reach. 2016. World Tourism organisation. Darcy, S., McKercher, B., Schweinsberg, S. 2020. From tourism and disability to accessible tourism: a perspective article. TOURISM REVIEW. VOL. 75 NO. 1 2020, pp. 140-144, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1660-5373 DOI 10.1108/TR-07-2019-0323 United Nations: Promoting accessible tourism for all. https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/issues/promoting-accessible-tourism-for-all.html United Spinal Association: Disability Ethiquette. https://www.unitedspinal.org/pdf/DisabilityEtiquette.pdf Visit Finland: Guide to Inclusive Travel. https://www.visitfinland.fi/4af121/globalassets/julkaisut/visit-finland/tutkimukset/2021/guide_to_inclusive_travel_2021.pdf

Internship and working life connections

During this course, you will execute an independent visit to a tourism company. Visiting lecturers and cases from the industry sharing their experiences from the theme.

Exam dates and retake possibilities

There is no exam in this course.

International connections

International aspect is accommodated to this implementation using also international examples and material of accessible tourism.

Student workload

Orientation into the course (5 hours): Familiarizing yourself with learning objectives, contents, assignments; organizing your time and the own goals for learning; pre-assignment. Theoretical knowledge (60 hours): You will attend to the webinars of this course, that will take completely 10 hours (2h x 5) and in addition you will study materials independently 50 hours. Practical learning (50 hours): You will implement a tourism company visit and recognize the accessibility on operating environment. You will work with the course assignment to link the theoretical knowledge into the practice. You will also prepare to present your practical findings for your peer students. Self-assessment (20 hours): You will have a learning diary during this course and based on that assess your learnings.

Content scheduling

In the beginning of the course you will orientate to the course and by independent working and attending webinars you will enhance your theoretical knowledge of the theme. In the middle of the course, you will visit on tourism company and after that you will work with the assignment to link the theoretical knowledge and operating environment with the support of the webinars.

Evaluation scale

0-5