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 concept and methods, and address 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.
Learning Objectives
The first part of the course is devoted to 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.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of mathematics.
Teaching Methods
Basic approaches and methods of Demography will be considered and key case-studies will be presented.
Type of Assessment
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.
There is difference between attending and non-attending students.
Attending students (75% - 18 lectures out of 24)
The exam consists of 5 questions (open questions or exercises) and a 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):
- 2 questions. Material: you cannot use anything. Duration: 1 hour. Score: each question scores 10 points.
- Teamwork: Description of the characteristics of the population of a travel destination. Power point presentation: groups of 3 students; each student must present part of the slides. Duration: 15 minutes presentation. Score: 10 points.
Final mark: average between the first and the second part.
Non-attending students
The exam consists of 6 questions (open questions or exercises)
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: you cannot use anything. Duration: 1 hour. Score: each question scores 10 points.
Final mark: average between the first and the second part.
Course program
• 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