Faculty of Business: Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): (72 credit points of completed study in C10040 Bachelor of Management in Tourism OR 72 credit points of completed study in C10044 Bachelor of Management in Tourism Bachelor of Arts in International Studies) AND (27344 Research for Leisure and Tourism OR 27156 Research for Leisure and Tourism)
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

In conjunction with the second tourism management project subject, this subject acts as a capstone subject for the Bachelor of Management in Tourism (C10040 or C10044), and as such brings together knowledge and skills developed throughout the course. Students select a tourism management problem of interest to both themselves and a specific client organisation, and then complete a number of preparatory tasks. Based upon this problem, a detailed proposal is prepared which then forms the basis of their work towards researching and solving the problem in the second tourism management project subject. Prior to the preparation of this document, students are required to undertake a conceptual analysis of their chosen problem, and an examination of the client and their needs in relation to the problem. Students are also required to identify and evaluate an appropriate range of approaches to problem solving, data collection and analysis. Students may work on this project either individually or in pairs.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Apply the Tourism Systems model, or other appropriate conceptual framework, to the analysis of a specific tourism management problem.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of a client organisation, its structure and decision making processes, and interpret that client's needs in relation to a specific tourism management problem.
3. Review and evaluate alternatives, then select an appropriate method, or set of methods, for researching and solving a specific tourism management problem.
4. Develop and articulate an appropriate plan for examining and resolving a specific tourism management problem.
5. Produce a written project proposal that meets both industry standards and those required by the School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism for such documents.

Contribution to graduate profile

In conjunction with the second tourism management project subject, this subject acts as a capstone for the Bachelor of Management in Tourism. It is designed to integrate the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the course and to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply these to a practical tourism management situation of particular interest to them and/or relevant to their future desired career path. The subject contributes to the development of the students' professional skills by effectively placing them in a consultancy relationship with a particular tourism industry client. In this subject, they are required to develop a proposal for research to solve a tourism management problem. This will be developed through ongoing consultation with the industry client

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching and learning strategies include formal lectures and workshops. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• The nature and scope of tourism management problems
• Client/consultant relationships
• Approaches to management problem solving
• Developing and writing a project proposal
• Project management

Assessment

Essay (Individual/Group)	40%
This addresses objectives 1 and 2.
Problem solving/research approach evaluation essay (Individual/Group)	20%
This addresses objective 3.
Project Proposal (Individual/Group)	40%
This addresses objectives 4 and 5.

Each project is unique and is negotiated individually with the student(s) and the project client. Projects completed by pairs of students need to be more demanding in terms of their scope and/or difficulty than projects completed on an individual. This expectation extends across all areas of assessment in this subject.

Indicative references

Baum, T. & Mudambi, R. (eds) (1998). Economic and Management Methods for Tourism and Hospitality Research. Chichester: Wiley.

Brotherton, B. (ed) (1999). The Handbook of Contemporary Hospitality Management Research. Chichester: Wiley.

Brunt, P. (1997). Market Research in Travel and Tourism. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Jennings, G. (2001). Tourism Research. Milton, Qld.: Wiley.

Veal, A.J. (1997). Research Methods for Leisure and Tourism, 2nd edition. Essex: Longman, Harlow.