Accessible Tourism (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

The purpose of this course is to deepen your understanding in responsible tourism, especially in social responsibility. You will learn what accessibility means in tourism context and different concepts within accessible tourism. After this course you understand the basic principles of accessibility from different customers perspectives and can apply the knowledge in different phases of customer journey in tourism.

Competences:
Tourism business, Ethics, Sustainable development

Learning outcomes:
You can list different customers who need accessible services and identify legislation that governs accessibility issues. You know accessibility principles and key concepts of accessible tourism. You identify how to apply accessibility principles in different phases of customer journey.

Content

Accessibility principles and key concepts in accessible tourism
Accessibility legislation
Specifics and needs of different customer groups
Service journey and accessibility.

Location and time

The Moodle workspace for the course opens on 15 September. You can start studying flexibly at a time that suits you and work on your own schedule. In the workspace you will find concrete instructions on how to proceed. There are three return dates for assignments: 15th December, 31st March and 31st July. After you have returned the assignments, you will receive written feedback and an assessment within a month of the return deadline.

Materials

Accessible tourism for all: an opportunity within our reach. 2016. World Tourism organisation.

Darcy, S., McKercher, B., Schweinsberg, S. 2020. From tourism and disability to accessible
tourism: a perspective article. TOURISM REVIEW. VOL. 75 NO. 1 2020, pp. 140-144, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1660-5373 DOI 10.1108/TR-07-2019-0323

United Nations: Promoting accessible tourism for all. https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/issues/promoting-accessible-tourism-for-all.html

United Spinal Association: Disability Ethiquette. https://www.unitedspinal.org/pdf/DisabilityEtiquette.pdf

Visit Finland: Guide to Inclusive Travel. https://www.visitfinland.fi/4af121/globalassets/julkaisut/visit-finland/tutkimukset/2021/guide_to_inclusive_travel_2021.pdf

Teaching methods

This course will be implemented non-stop from 15.9.2025 to 31.7.2026. You can participate in the course at a time that suits you. For the course assignments, you will get to know an existing tourism company, and the goal is to assess accessibility in a practical way in the tourism operating environment through the assignments.
You will study accessible tourism by reading materials, sharing your own understanding of the topic, watching lecture recordings, interviews and observational videos from different perspectives of accessibility, and by completing a concrete accessibility assessment assignment in an existing tourism company.

Employer connections

During the course, you will conduct an independent visit to a tourism company. With the help of lecture materials and illustrative video recordings, you will learn concretely about accessibility in the tourism operating environment.

Exam schedules

There is no exam in this course.

International connections

International aspect is accommodated to this implementation using also international examples and material of accessible tourism.

Student workload

Orientation (5 hours): You will become familiar with the learning objectives, content and tasks; plan your time management and personal learning goals, and complete a preliminary assignment.

Theoretical knowledge (70 hours): You will independently study the materials in the Moodle learning environment, watch lecture recordings introducing the theme, and ensure your own knowledge is being acquired through midterm tests.

Practical knowledge (50 hours): You will conduct a visit to a tourism company and identify factors related to the accessibility of the operating environment, and complete a course assignment that links theoretical knowledge to practice.

Self-assessment and course evaluation (10 hours): At the end of the course, you will evaluate your own learning.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient 1: You can list different customers who need accessible services and identify legislation that governs accessibility issues. You know accessibility principles and key concepts of accessible tourism. You identify how to apply accessibility principles in different phases of customer journey.

Satisfactory 2: You can categorize different customers who need accessible services and identify legislation that governs accessibility issues. You understand accessibility principles and key concepts of accessible tourism. You identify how to apply accessibility principles in different phases of customer journey.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3: You can categorize different customers who need accessible services and identify legislation that governs accessibility issues. You can explain accessibility principles and key concepts of accessible tourism. You demonstrate how to apply accessibility principles in different phases of customer journey.

Very Good 4: You can compare customers who need accessible services and apply legislation that governs accessibility issues. You can demonstrate and argue accessibility principles and key concepts of accessible tourism. You are able to approach critically and innovative way accessibility in different phases of customer journey.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5: You can critically analyze the different customer groups who need accessible services and apply legislation that governs accessibility issues. You can demonstrate and argue accessibility principled and key concepts of accessible tourism. You are able to develop critically and innovative way accessibility in different phases of customer journey.

Qualifications

Understanding the basics of business functions
Understanding the special features of tourism industry.

Further information

The assignments of the course will be evaluated based on course evaluation criteria, and you will evaluate your own learning during the course. For passing the course you need to pass all the required assignments.