The course aims to develop the ability to understand and apply environmental certification generally and specifically in the tourism industry. Students will learn how to evaluate and implement sustainability standards, assess the impact of tourism operations on the environment, and integrate quality management principles for responsible tourism development. Additionally, the course will provide insights into monitoring environmental performance and compliance with regulatory frameworks.

• Introduction to Environmental Certifications

Understanding sustainability: key concepts and global trends; environmental certification: purpose and benefits; global certification programs; national and regional certification schemes; steps to obtaining an environmental certification.

• Sustainable Practices and Environmental Management

Implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS); key areas of environmental sustainability: energy efficiency and renewable energy, water management and conservation, waste management and circular economy; carbon footprint reduction and climate action plans; sustainable supply chains and responsible procurement.

• Tourism Quality

Understanding quality in tourism: customer expectations and industry benchmark; overview of international tourism quality standards and their impact; sustainability in tourism: key concepts and global trends; introduction to sustainable hospitality and eco-friendly hotel practices; certification programs for tourism businesses: criteria, benefits, and implementation.

Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course, students should have a solid grasp of environmental certification frameworks, sustainability principles, and their application in tourism quality management.

Knowledge and understanding applied: Students can use certification standards in real-world tourism contexts, assess sustainability practices, and contribute to implementing responsible tourism policies.

Autonomy of judgment: Students will develop the ability to critically analyse environmental policies, evaluate certification schemes, and recommend appropriate sustainability strategies.

Communication skills: Students will gain proficiency in effectively communicating sustainability objectives, certification procedures, and best practices in tourism quality management to stakeholders.

Ability to learn: Students will develop independent learning skills to stay updated on emerging environmental standards, sustainable tourism trends, and certification developments.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The course will employ multiple teaching methodologies, including:

• Lectures
• Case studies on certified tourism destinations
• Guest speakers from the tourism industry
• Practical workshops on certification processes
• Group discussions and debates
• Problem-based learning activities

Teaching

The course involves using different teaching methods: frontal lessons, possible group work and preparation of papers on case studies and classroom discussions. 

Innovative teaching methods

Debate

Attendance

Compulsory attendance  is not expected. 

Course books

• Font X., McCabe, S. (2021). Sustainability and Certification in Tourism: Principles and Practice. Routledge.
•  Legrand, W., Chen J.S.(Autore) Laeis G. C.M. (2022). Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry: Principles of Sustainable Operations. Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Additional materials, lecture notes, and case studies will be provided via the university's Moodle platform.

Assessment

The final assessment will consist of a written exam featuring three open-ended questions covering the key topics explored throughout the course. Students are expected to provide well-structured and coherent responses that demonstrate:

• A comprehensive understanding of the core concepts and themes discussed during the course.
• Practical argumentation skills, utilising appropriate technical language within the allotted 90-minute time frame.

Once the written exam has been passed (18/30), the student may take an oral exam if they wish. The final evaluation will consist of the score obtained in the written examination, corrected by the score obtained in the oral examination.

Moreover, during the course, students will have the opportunity to participate in optional group activities. Those who engage in these activities may receive a bonus of up to 2 points, depending on the quality of their contribution.

The evaluation of group work will be based on the following criteria:

• Teamwork skills and collaboration.
• Effectiveness of communication and interaction with the instructor.
• Innovation and originality of content.
• Internal coherence of the proposed project.
• Proper and effective use of conceptual and operational tools introduced in the course.

This structure ensures that students are assessed on their understanding and application of knowledge and their ability to collaborate and think creatively in a team setting.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Course books

• Font X., McCabe, S. (2021). Sustainability and Certification in Tourism: Principles and Practice. Routledge.
•  Legrand, W., Chen J.S.(Autore) Laeis G. C.M. (2022). Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry: Principles of Sustainable Operations. Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Additional materials, lecture notes, and case studies will be provided via the university's Moodle platform.

Assessment

The final assessment will consist of a written exam featuring three open-ended questions covering the key topics explored throughout the course. Students are expected to provide well-structured and coherent responses that demonstrate:

• A comprehensive understanding of the core concepts and themes discussed during the course.
• Practical argumentation skills, utilising appropriate technical language within the allotted 90-minute time frame.

Once the written exam has been passed (18/30), the student may take an oral exam if they wish. The final evaluation will consist of the score obtained in the written examination, corrected by the score obtained in the oral examination.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.