International Destination Management

Department

Bachelor's program Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business

Course unit code

TOU-TSLB-6-ITO-DES-ILV

Number of ECTS credits allocated

Name of lecturer(s)

Dr. Mag. Reichenberger Ina, M.Sc., Professor Dr. Koutoulas Dimitris, Dr. Haselwanter Stefanie

Mode of delivery

face-to-face

Recommended optional program components

none

Recommended or required reading

Crouch, G. I. & Ritchie, J. R. B. (1999). Tourism, Competitiveness, and Societal Prosperity. Journal of Business Research, 44/3, 137-152.
Buhalis, D. (2000). Marketing- The Competitive Destination of the Future. Tourism Management, 21/1, 97-116.
Siller, H. & Haselwanter, S. (2019). Leadership in Alpine Destinations: The Showcase "Stubai 2021". In P. L. Pearce & H. Oktadiana (Eds.), Delivering Tourism Intelligence: From Analysis to Action (Bridging Tourism Theory and Practice, Vol. 11) (pp.15-30). Emerald Publishing.
Hudson, S. & Hudson L. (2017). Customer Service in Tourism and Hospitality. Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers.
Masip, J. D.(2006). Tourism product development: A way to create value the case of La Vall de Lord https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/f5ce/ab116c93027b0f847e00745061e19ed92291.pdf.
Pine, J.B. and Gilmore, J.H., (1998). Welcome to the Experience Economy. Harvard Business Review. July- August, 97-105.
Ritchie, B.W. & Jiang, Y. (2019). A review of research on tourism risk, crisis and disaster management: Launching the annals of tourism research curated collection on tourism risk, crisis and disaster management. Annals of Tourism Research, 79, 102812.
Tasci, S. (2011). Destination Branding and Positioning. In: Wang, Y. and Pizam, A.: Destination Marketing and Management. Theories and Applications, 113 - 129, CABI: Wallingford, UK.
Weaver, D. (2010). Indigenous tourism stages and their implications for sustainability. Journal of sustainable tourism, 18(1), 43-60.
Zehrer, A., Raich, F., Siller, H. & Tschiderer, F. (2014). Leadership networks in destinations. Tourism Review, 69/1, 59-73.Aaker, J. L. (1997). Dimensions of Brand Personality. Journal of Marketing Research, 34, 347-356.
Benur, A.M. & Bramwell, B. (2015). Tourism product development and product diversification in destinations. Tourism Management, 50, 213-224.
Beritelli, P. & Bieger, T. (2014). From destination governance to destination leadership - defining and exploring the significance with the help of a systemic perspective. Tourism Review, 69/1, 25-46.
Flagestad A. (2001). Strategic Success and Organizational Structure in Winter Sports Destinations, Etour 2001, Bradford.
Formica, S., & Kothari, T. H. (2008). Strategic destination planning: Analyzing the future of tourism. Journal of Travel Research, 46, 355-367.
Neuhofer, B., Buhalis, D. and Ladkin, A. (2012), Conceptualizing Technology Enhanced Destination Experiences, Journal of Destination Marketing and Management, 1/2, 36-46.
Kladou, S., Kavaratzis, M., Rigopoulou, I. and Salonika, E. (2016). The Role of Brand Elements in Destination Branding. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 6, 426-435.
Kotler , P., Bowen, T. and Makens, J.C. (2013). Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism. Upper Saddle River, NY: Pearson International. Chapter 8.
Pearce, D. G. (2013). Toward an integrative conceptual framework of Destinations. Journal of Travel Research, 53/2, 141-153.
Pung, J. M., Mackenzie, S. H., & Lovelock, B. (2024). Regenerative tourism: Perceptions and insights from tourism destination planners in Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 32, 100874.
Tussyadiah, P. (2014). Toward a Theoretical Foundation for Experience Design in Tourism. Journal of Travel Research, 53/5, 543-564.

Assessment methods and criteria

Presentation, Participation

Additional information about examination modalities

Please always refer to the latest version of the examination schedule on Sakai for examination modalities and examination dates.

Level of course unit

Bachelor

Year of study

Spring 2026

Semester when the course unit is delivered

Language of instruction

English

Learning outcomes of the course unit

• Students are able to analyze critical issues in destination development.
• Students are able to transfer theoretical knowledge relevant to specific practical problems and to derive appropriate recommendations for action.
• Students are able to define tourism destinations and respective destination management responsibilities.
• Students are able to analyze the strategic orientation of a tourism destination, evaluate the consistency between competencies, product portfolio, marketing and branding issues, and, where appropriate, derive recommendations for action.
• Students are conscious of key stakeholders as well as formal and informal leadership networks within tourism destinations.
• Students are able to develop and deliver tourist products with valuable and memorable experiences.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

none

Course contents

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and practices of international destination management. Tourism destinations operate as complex systems that involve a variety of stakeholders, governance structures, leadership networks, and strategic management processes. The course examines how destinations are developed, managed, branded, and marketed in an increasingly competitive global tourism environment.

The course begins with an introduction to the foundations of destination management, focusing on destination governance, stakeholder collaboration, and leadership networks. Building on this foundation, students will explore destination branding, marketing strategies, stakeholder management, and tourism product development from an international perspective.

International case studies will be used throughout the course to illustrate practical applications and highlight differences in destination management approaches around the world. Special attention will be given to international examples, including perspectives from New Zealand tourism.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course comprises an interactive mix of lectures, discussions and individual and group work.

Work placement(s)

none

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