Tourism Development and Service Innovation International Exchange Programme

In this module, students tackle a real-world service design project, gaining hands-on experience in solving complex challenges. Working with a practical case (e.g. for Swiss, Switzerland Tourism, SBB, Events), they apply the Service Design Method to address problems systematically and creatively. This module bridges theory and practice, empowering students to develop innovative, user-centered solutions that make a tangible difference.

The module covers strategies to successfully implement solutions in the market or within a company, ensuring that innovative ideas create real value. With a strong focus on practical application (alongside the module 'Applied Service Design'), this module provides the tools and knowledge needed to transform creative concepts into impactful solutions that meet user needs and deliver tangible results.

To understand how customers think, feel, and act, qualitative research is essential. These methods explore real-life contexts, provide deep insights into customer behaviour, and help generate new ideas in the service design process. In this module, students will focus on selected qualitative research method, learning how to organize and analyse customer insights effectively. This hands-on approach builds on skills from the Service Design Methods module, helping students deepen their understanding of customer behaviour and refine their research abilities.

Once the students have taken this course, they should know well the benefits of Entrepreneurship and understand the importance of building business plans. Students will be enabled to build any of their business ideas into a comprehensive business plan. The business plan will contain the reflection of their own role as entrepreneurs to build the business and understand the influences of stakeholders within the different stages of development.

The overarching goal of the course ‘Applied Leisure Management’ with a focus on mountain railways is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of managing leisure activities and services, particularly in mountain tourism. The course explores strategies for enhancing the visitor experience in mountain destinations, including the operation and management of mountain railways, resorts, and related attractions. Students will gain insights into the economic, environmental, and operational challenges of leisure management in mountain regions, with a focus on sustainable development and customer satisfaction.

The overarching goal of the course 'Niche Tourism' is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of specialized tourism markets and the strategies needed to develop and manage niche tourism products. The course explores various niche segments such as adventure tourism, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and wellness tourism, examining their unique characteristics and demand drivers. Students will learn how to create tailored marketing strategies, address the specific needs of niche tourist groups and contribute to the sustainable development of these specialized tourism offerings.