Outcomes

This program is designed to give you the skills and knowledge to examine the critical issues and opportunities facing individuals and organizations responsible for developing a tourism destination.  In an industry characterized by evolving market demand and visitor expectations, rapid technological change, and increased competition, this program prepares individuals to optimize the tourism benefits in a community or region, as well as manage the challenges.

As a graduate of this program, you will have gained enhanced communication skills, knowledge, leadership and teamwork, critical thinking and global awareness. You will also have:

• Examined case studies in tourism destination development, community planning, and economic development;

• Selected, analyzed and explored a range of secondary data resources to increase understanding and inform decision making in developing tourism destinations; and

• Explored the characteristics of successful destinations that have developed innovative tourism products, packages, and have developed well-defined market and brand strategies to attract investment, partnerships, and stakeholder support to create communities that welcome and engage travelers.

Having explored the issues around transforming communities into a tourism destination, you will depart the program with the ability to contribute at new levels within your organization or company in the areas of destination planning, strategic marketing and e-marketing, product innovation, sector and niche market development and establishing sustainable communities.
Specific outcomes for the program are:
1. Knowledge and Critical Thinking
Applies interdisciplinary information and research to the study of tourism and hospitality by acquiring and critically evaluating their contribution to issues, opportunities, and challenges.
Effectively uses research methodologies, data sources, and tools to investigate, evaluate, and analyze findings that inform decision-making, written products and using and producing research.
Examines the role of innovation, entrepreneurship, and stakeholder relations in the building of a successful business.
Demonstrates integrity and ethical behaviour when collaborating, synthesizing findings, problem solving, conducting research and reporting findings or recommendations.
2. Global Awareness
Evaluates the impact of global issues on tourism and hospitality operators, organizations, and destinations.
Differentiates how local, regional, national and international events influence competitive change in evolving markets.
Investigates and analyzes how the tourism industry is influenced by governments and world affairs, and understands the role of tourism and hospitality professionals as global citizens in communities.
3. Effective Communications
Effectively gathers, analyzes, synthesizes, prepares and presents written materials, accurately utilizing the APA reference method.
Incorporates conflict resolution, negotiation, change management, and networking skills in contributing to achieving team and individual outcomes.
Applies effective speaking, writing, listening and feedback skills in online and face-to-face activities.
4. Leadership and Collaboration
Demonstrates leadership, collaboration, and mutual support in decision-making processes to achieve individual and team results.
Networks effectively and respectfully with an array of individuals from diverse professional and personal backgrounds to facilitate and support effective decision making.