OVERVIEW

This course offers a critical analysis of coastal and water tourism and their connections to the social, economic, and environmental components of the territories they impact.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides specialized knowledge for the analysis of the main types of tourism linked to the use of water starting from the sea (seaside tourism, boating, cruise tourism) to arrive at inland waters (lakes, rivers, thermal waters). For each of them, are also proposed considerations regarding environmental, economic and social sustainability.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide foundational knowledge, tools, and critical interpretative keys for understanding coastal and water tourism. This will be achieved through a geographical analysis of territories, viewed from the perspective of transformations brought about over time by tourism activities. Particular attention will be given to specific case studies within coastal and inland water contexts of the Liguria region.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the evolution and main types of tourism related to water use (bathing, nautical, cruise, lake, river, thermal, fishing tourism, canyoning), with particular reference to the Ligurian context.
• Identify the interconnections between aquatic tourism activities, the environment, the landscape, and the socio-economic context, also in reference to climate change.
• Utilize tools and methods typical of geographical sciences to critically analyze specific case studies of aquatic tourism development.
• Develop a group research project related to a significant case study in a regional or national context.

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching will consist of frontal lectures (including those given by invited experts), small group activities, and field trips. Attending students will also have the opportunity to conduct case studies through the realization of group projects. The group project is divided into two phases: drafting a written paper and an oral presentation accompanied by slides. Specific information will be provided during lessons and via the course's AulaWeb platform.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The main topics covered are:

• Evolution of tourism practices in coastal areas, with particular reference to the Ligurian context.
• Current situation and main types of tourism.
• Challenges and opportunities of climate change.
• Analysis of specific case studies in the Ligurian context (further details will be provided at the beginning of the course).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For ATTENDING students:

• Materials uploaded on AulaWeb, integrated with what is presented by the lecturer in class and appropriately summarized in notes taken during lessons. In the absence of exhaustive notes, students are required to use the textbook:
• BROCADA L., Geografia dei parchi naturali costieri. Conflitti socio-ambientali nel Mediterraneo nord-occidentale, 2025.

For NON-ATTENDING students:

• BROCADA L., Geografia dei parchi naturali costieri. Conflitti socio-ambientali nel Mediterraneo nord-occidentale, 2025.
• Supplementary materials published on Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination is an oral exam. The group project, if completed by attending students and discussed during the course, constitutes an integral part of the exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral interview will assess:

• Mastery and depth of knowledge.
• Ability to use developed competencies.

Assessment criteria include:

• Quality of exposition.
• Correct use of appropriate vocabulary.
• Capacity for critical analysis, including on possible cases discussed.
• Students who complete group projects will also be assessed on the quality of their work concerning content and formal aspects.