Demography is the most important external factor that will shape the future of the tourism. Current demographic trends will change the demand for tourism and the available workforces, which will fundamentally impact on how the industries are structured, how they operate, and how they develop in a sustainable manner. This course introduces basic demographic concepts and methods, and addresses their application in the tourism sector.
For the first part of the course:
• Caselli G., Vallin J. & Wunch G. (2006), Demography – Analysis and Synthesis. A Treatise in Population. Elsevier.
Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (only Sections I and II), 8 (only Section I.1), 11 (only Sections I, II – excluding I.1 and II.2.b), 12 (only Section I), 14 (only Section I – excluding I.2 – and Section II – excluding II.3, II.5 and II.6), 15 (only Sections III.1 and III.3).
For the second part of the course:
• Ian Yeoman, Cathy Hsu, Karen Smith & Sandra Watson (2012). Tourism and Demography. Goodfellow Publishers
• Heike A. Schänzel, Ian Yeoman & Elisa Backer (2012). Family Tourism - Multidisciplinary Perspectives. Channel View Publications.
Obiettivi Formativi
The first part of the course is devoted to the knowledge of basic demographic tools such as: population structures and the Lexis diagram; demographic rates; direct and indirect standardizations; population increase; mortality – life table construction and interpretation; fertility and reproduction measures and interpretations; population projection and forecast; demographic transition and major population trends.
The second part of the course is devoted to the application of the materials and the methods of demography to the analysis and solution of the tourism issues and problems.
At the end of the course, students will be able to describe, interpret and critically discuss demographic trends across countries and their consequences on tourism.
Prerequisiti
Basic knowledge of mathematics.
Metodi Didattici
Lectures, exercises, project works.
Basic approaches and methods of Demography will be considered and key case-studies will be presented.
Modalità di verifica apprendimento
The assessment consists of a written test. This test is aimed at verifying: 1) the knowledge acquired regarding the concepts, materials and tools for Business Demography; 2) the ability to apply the acquired knowledge, the ability to draw conclusions, the communication skills and the use of appropriate language, and the ability to understand and learning.
The exam consists of 6 questions (open questions or exercises) and an optional teamwork
First part of the courses (basics tools in demography):
- 3 questions. Material: you can use book, notes, and so forth. Duration: 1 hour. Score: each question scores 10 points.
Second part of the course (demography and tourism):
- 3 questions. Material: not allowed. Duration: 1 hour. Score: each question scores 10 points.
Final mark: average between the first and the second part.
In addition - but not compulsory - students' group mini-project presentation about the demography of a destination area. Powerpoint presentation: groups of 3 students; each student must present part of the slides. Duration: 10 minutes presentation. Evaluation: 0-4 points to be added to the final mark.
Programma del corso
• Introduction to Demography and Business Demography
• Population Structures and Lexis Grid
• Demographic Rates & Direct Standardisations
• Population increase
• Fertility: Measures and Interpretations
• Mortality: Measures and Interpretations
• Applications of Demographic Concepts and Methods in the Business Sector
• Small-Area Projections
• Worldwide Major Population Trends
• Demography and Tourism (Tomorrow's Tourists: the implications of demographic change for tourism attitudes and behaviours; An Aging Population and Changing Family Structures; Families in Nature Tourism: Trends in Holiday Locations and Activities; VFR Travellers of the Future; Generation Y and Travel Futures; Gap year Travel Alternatives: Gen-Y, Volunteer Tourism and Global Citizenship; What Does Generation Y Want from Conferences and Incentive Programmes? Implications for the Business Tourism Industry; Micronesian Islands: Adapting to Change; Demographic Changes and the Labour Market in the International Tourism Industry)
• Family Tourism
• Tourism, human resource management and turnover