Tourism Business Management

EXPECTED SKILLS

The knowledge acquired by a graduate in Tourism Business Management is the result of a balanced integration of general economic, business economics, statistical-mathematical, and legal skills. This interdisciplinary, yet in-depth training, enables students to understand and develop tourism business models, destination development models in their various environmental, historical, and cultural characterization as well as intervention plans for the touristic development of the territory. The course provides the opportunity to deepen and update the knowledge of digital technologies and refine language skills for tourism.

LEARNING OUTCOMES 

The knowledge acquired by a graduate in Tourism Business Management is the result of a balanced integration of general economic, business, statistical-mathematical and legal skills, providing the interdisciplinary training necessary to understand the business models of tourism companies, the development models of tourist destinations, characterised by a varied environmental, historical and cultural heritage as well as different types of businesses, and action plans for the tourism development of the environmental and cultural resources of the territory. 

The teaching activities planned to achieve these objectives consist of lectures, case study presentations, project work, meetings with managers and experts, practical exercises and tutoring. Important moments for student training also include those related to the acquisition of skills through student participation in workshops and seminars held by managers and experts, and internships that allow for learning by doing. During the workshops, students have the opportunity to meet entrepreneurs and managers working in the tourism and cultural sector, with whom they can explore in depth the methodologies and tools that characterise the management and administrative activities of companies operating in the sector (e.g. e-Tourism Lab on booking systems in the tourism sector, organised in collaboration with Giùnapoli start-up, Scoop Travel Srl, MSC Crociere SpA and Grimaldi Lines).  

The seminar activities consist of testimonials from experts in the management of companies, organisations and institutions in the tourism and cultural sector, who describe the issues and processes involved in promoting the environmental, historical and cultural heritage for tourism purposes. Finally, the training programme offers the opportunity to undertake an internship in public or private companies linked to the tourism and culture sector, through which students can apply the skills acquired during their studies. The internship is a useful tool for applying the skills acquired to the business world and for assessing the degree of development of problem-solving skills. 

Individual study is an indispensable tool, complementary to classroom lessons, allowing students to broaden their knowledge and refine their understanding. At the end of the courses, students take specific exams for each subject, completed in different ways for different courses, through written and/or oral tests. 

The training programme is completed with a final report, which represents a further opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of a specific topic through independent research under the supervision of a tutor. 

Graduates in Tourism Business Management are able to apply their knowledge to all professional contexts related to the tourism industry and the promotion of cultural heritage from a tourism perspective. In this perspective, graduates can manage the specific aspects of the organisational models adopted by the tourism and cultural industry, using marketing strategies supported by statistical and IT methodologies that are effective both for business management and for the tourism promotion of cultural heritage. 

Further information 

All information on the course, from admission to the final exam, for all students interested in enrolling in the Bachelor’s Degree Course in Tourism Business Management. 

Admission requirements 

Admission to the Degree Programme in Tourism Business Management requires students to have a secondary school diploma or other equivalent qualification obtained abroad. 

Successful attendance of the degree programme requires students to have a basic knowledge of: 

• elements of mathematics such as integers, rational numbers, real numbers; first and second degree equations and inequalities; the Cartesian plane, analytical geometry (equations of straight lines); 

• basic skills in at least one modern foreign language. 

Internships and Placements 

The Placement Office handles the procedures for activating internships for the Degree Course in Tourism Business Management and stipulates new agreements with companies and organisations operating in particular in the tourism and cultural sector.  The internship positions generally include to front office, tourist reception, information and promotion, consulting, managerial and administrative activities in companies and organisations involved in tourism development and promotion, including those with an international focus. There are two types of internships: curricular for current students and extra-curricular for graduates of Parthenope University. In 2020, there are approximately 130 internship agreements in place with companies and public bodies operating in tourism and cultural promotion, tourism services in general, environmental promotion, the organisation of exhibitions, events and shows, the enhancement of cultural heritage and hospitality activities. 

There are also intensive seminars on the economy of culture and the tourism sector organised by the course of study entitled “MIT the Culture”. These seminars, which present the main potential and issues related to the tourism sector and the promotion of cultural heritage for tourism, are enriched by the contribution of operators and experts who have played a significant role in the management of companies in the tourism sector and in the management of public institutions in the cultural sector (Reggia di Caserta, Fondazione Teatro San Carlo, Museo di Capodimonte, Città della Scienza, Mostra d’Oltremare, etc.). 

Final Exam 

The degree is awarded upon passing the final examination, which students can take after completing all the educational activities required by the study plan. The final exam consists of the preparation and discussion of a paper written by the student, under the guidance of a supervisor, on a topic related to the content of the courses and other educational activities offered by the degree programme. In this exam, candidates must demonstrate their ability to argue, present clearly, and use the interpretative and methodological tools learned during the programme.