Upon successfully completing this course, students will have an overview of the main market trends, issues and challenges in the tourism industry as a basis for successful innovations. This module aims to take a look into the future of tourism. First, the students zoom in on emerging technologies in the touristic field and which technological advances are changing the industry and markets. On the basis of that, potentials for innovation can be identified. Furthermore, students will get an introduction into regenerative tourism approaches and the role of sustainability in the tourism concepts of the future.
Unique and individual / personal / international
Innovations are already of great importance for all tourism companies in order to remain competitive in the long term and to successfully design and manage travel offers. Innovations play an essential role in all areas of the travel experience and the design of offers. Thus, tourism companies can use innovations to make the stay in the destination even more relaxing or adventurous and at the same time to simplify the distribution of travel packages even further through new technologies.
The specialisation "Innovation" focuses on the creation and management of innovations in the tourism industry. In the first module "The Future of Tourism", the focus is on analysing and understanding current trends in the tourism industry. Students will gain insights into new technologies, innovative business models and progress towards sustainable tourism. The module "Business Development" is about innovation in relation to the experience of tourists in the course of their travel, as well as financing and risk management in the innovation sector. In the 8th semester, the students deal with the module "Innovation Strategy". In the strategy area, students focus on the market launch of innovations.
Another special feature is the "Business Competencies" module, in which students work on a project for a real company over the course of two semesters. Here, the lecturers acquire projects that deal with current challenges from day-to-day business. The students take on the role of consultants who work on meeting the challenges with the help of innovative solutions.
Program overview
This module focuses on innovative product and service development as a crucial ingredient to successfully producing and conducting innovative guest experiences. Destinations, hotels and other touristic organisations face special challenges and high uncertainty when developing innovative solutions to match customer demand. Students will therefore learn and apply concepts and methods for effective risk management and financing decisions.
This module focuses on two critical innovation management challenges, namely (1.) scaling and taking an innovation from launch with early adopters to widespread adoption by the mainstream market and (2.) sustaining innovation in organizations. Students will learn and apply concepts and frameworks to commercialize new products, to manage growth, and to lead innovation in organizations. The module draws from various perspectives, e.g. marketing, finance, organization and strategy.