AMB209 Designing a Competitive Tourism Strategy


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:AMB209
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:48 credit points of completed studies.
Equivalent:AMB351, AMX209
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

The success of individual tourism businesses is reliant to some extent on the competitiveness of their destination. This unit explores how a destination marketing organisation (DMO) is formed when a community recognises the need to become organised in destination promotions. Examine opportunities for the DMO and tourism stakeholders to collaborate in the development and implementation of a competitive destination marketing strategy. Learning resources and assessments explore how marketing theories can be applied to tourism marketing practice.

 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual framework for tourism marketing management and the activities of major stakeholders involved in marketing key elements of a tourist destination mix.
  2. Understand the characteristics of tourist behaviour, factors influencing tourism demand and supply and current trends with respect to significant market segments and their growth patterns.
  3. Apply research techniques to appraise destinations, markets and service offerings including attractions and entertainment, transportation, accommodation and facilities and competitive activities in these sub-sectors of tourism.
  4. Understand and apply various segmentation approaches, targeting and positioning theory in determining appropriate marketing strategies for a tourism service offering or destination.
  5. Recognise and explain major macro-environmental issues including industry sustainability, policy imperatives and research needs as they relate to the role of tourism marketing managers.

Content

The unit content follows the steps involved in the design of a tourism marketing plan.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
1.2 Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.

Professional Communication (PC)
3
.1 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
3.2 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

Lectures will explore a framework for designing a competitive marketing strategy for a tourism destination. Tutorials will be used to explore the characteristics of markets and specific sectors of tourism and related marketing activities by private and public sector bodies.

COVID-19 restrictions may require changes to the planned Learning Approaches described here.  Students should refer to the unit Canvas site for the latest information.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Report

Students will work in groups on a topical issue pertinent to tourism marketing practitioners.

Formative or Summative: Formative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), PC (3.2), TS (4.2)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 40
Length: 1500 words
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 5

Assessment: Marketing Plan

Students will develop a strategy to competitively position a Queensland destination in the Brisbane market. A structured planning process is used to enhance students' critical and creative thinking skills. This planning process can easily be adapted for use in other industry sectors.

Formative or Summative: Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.2), PC (3.1), SE (5.1)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 60
Length: 2,000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 12
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Pike, S. (2021). Destination Marketing Essentials. (3rd Ed). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: Report

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: Marketing Plan

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Report

KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: Marketing Plan

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: Marketing Plan

PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)

Relates to: Report

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: Marketing Plan

TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills

Relates to: Report