Program Overview

Sustainability, Destinations and Regional Development

The course addresses the applications of different destination development models, critically discussing and scrutinizing them from a scientific perspective. It highlights their compliance with principles of sustainable development, covering interrelationships of destination development and regional development, including economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of tourism in different geographical contexts.

Course Details

• Type: Course, second cycle
• Study pace: Full time
• Study location: Umeå
• Type of studies: On campus

About the Course

In this course, models and theories of destination development are discussed, focusing on their compliance with sustainable development principles. The course covers the interrelationships between destination development and regional development, including economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of tourism in various geographical contexts. Theories and practices for policy and planning for tourism and regional development are addressed, discussing issues related to sustainable development.

Modules

• Module 1: Destination Development, 7.5 credits Destinations are analyzed through the use of various destination development models. The theoretical foundations of the models are discussed, as well as their application in different geographical contexts. The possibilities of forecasting destination development using these theories are also discussed and critically assessed.
• Module 2: Regional Development, 7.5 credits This section highlights the connection between tourism and regional development, focusing on the relationship between sustainable tourism development and sustainable regional development. It covers the economic, social, and environmental effects of tourism, as well as theories about the interaction of tourism with local and regional development. Policy and planning theory for tourism and regional development are also covered, including both theoretical approaches and applied planning exercises.

Eligibility and Selection

• Eligibility: University degree of 120 ECTS, with 60 ECTS in human geography or equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2.
• Selection: Academic credits

Application and Tuition Fees

• Application fee: SEK 900
• Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 24,150
• Total fee: SEK 24,150

Course Schedule

• Starts: 19 January 2026
• Ends: 23 March 2026
• Number of credits: 15 credits
• Type of studies: On site
• Study pace: 100%
• Teaching hours: Daytime
• Study location: Umeå
• Language: English
• Application code: UMU-29118

Department and Additional Information

• The course is given by the Department of Geography.
• For more information on application procedures, tuition fees, and funding, please refer to the relevant sections.