HTM*4120 Syllabus |1
School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
College of Management and Economics
Winter 2013
Field Course: Best Practices in Hospitality & Tourism – HTM*4130*02
Instructor:
Office Phone:
Office Hours:
Lectures/Seminars:
Study Abroad:
Presentation:
Text required:
Justin Taillon (taillon@uoguelph.ca)
519-824-4120 x 52786
2-4p on Wednesdays
12:30-1:50p on January 16, 23, & 30; February 8; and March 1.
February 16-23 (Costa Rica)
TBA
Course packet will be provided on disc by Professor
Course Description:
The focus of this course will be the examination of best practices and challenges to sustainability in the
hospitality and tourism industries in the context of Costa Rica. Specifically, we will focus on sustainability
certifications such as CST and LEEDS, government and private involvement and oversight in the industries,
and the sustainable management of tourism entities. Costa Rica is an excellent site for this course because it
is a recognized world leader in sustainability in hospitality and tourism, specializing in eco, adventure, and
nature tourism for consumers of the tourism experience as well as management and building practices and
processes. Best practices can be identified, learned from, and potentially used in the future in the Canadian
hospitality and tourism industries because of these achievements.
We will meet on Wednesdays during the semester to discuss information we should be aware prior to the
trip. This includes understanding the Costa Rican case, safety and security, hospitality and tourism in the
area, the best practices that have been implemented, and the challenges being faced in Costa Rica.
Course Objectives:
There are two course objectives: First, we will work together to better understand hospitality and tourism
industry sustainability in Costa Rica. Secondly, we will take away challenges and best practices faced in
Costa Rica and apply them to the Canadian hospitality and tourism industries.
We will also come to better understand globalization, neoliberalism, and other related issues within
hospitality and tourism that arise when attempting to build a sustainable infrastructure.
While enrolled in this class you are expected to represent the University, and even your country, in a
professional and educated manner. If you are failing to live up to the standards of professionalism during
the semester I will not hesitate to let you know. If I fail to meet your expectations during the semester
please do not hesitate to let me know.
Participation
Participation is necessary for learning to occur in this class. Therefore, you are expected to participate for
this course. If you fail to participate I will assume you are not prepared. If you are consistently not prepared
I will request an additional meeting with you. Participation is 30% of your grade.
HTM*4120 Syllabus |2
Class participation will include staying abreast of current news stories as they relate to the course and
discussing them in class during “Water Cooler Talks”, being an active participant in class, reading course
materials that are assigned, dressing appropriately, meeting with the Professors during the semester, using
proper email etiquette, and other activities and topics deemed necessary throughout the semester. Most
importantly, Participation includes being a professional during our trip to Costa Rica and representing the
University and your country in the best possible way.
Your participation grade will be gauged in four ways: our one-on-one meetings, the perceptions of the
Professor and Guides when in Costa Rica, your communication (emails and in-class discussions), and your
professionalism during the semester. You are expected to meet one-on-one twice during the semester.
Once during office hours or another agreed upon time prior to the trip to Costa Rica. The second meeting
will be during the trip to Costa Rica with our guide, Miles Phillips, a Professor at Texas A&M University who
specializes in nature, eco, and adventure guiding in Costa Rica. Each meeting will last 10-15 minutes.
Cell Phones, Food, Etcetera
You are expected to respect your peers and me. Cell Phones should be turned off before class begins and at
appropriate times when in Costa Rica. Food, including gum, is not allowed in class. Drinks are permissible in
class. Snacks and drinks are permissible, and recommended, while travelling in Costa Rica.
Assignments:
Introduction
There are three types of Assignments.
1. First, you are to keep a Reflexive Journal. There are two sections to the Reflexive Journal. In the first
section you should write one page (approx. 350 words) on assigned course readings prior to leaving
for the trip. You should NOT summarize articles. You should analyze them. In the second section of
the Reflexive Journal you should write 3-4 pages (approx. 1,000 words) during the trip on your
experience and learnings. Once again, this is a critical analysis and NOT a summary.
2. Secondly, there is a Project. Prior to leaving for the trip you will be placed into groups of 3-4 based
on your personal interests. You will devise a research project/focus for the trip. While in Costa Rica
you will be responsible for conducting the research with the assistance of the two Professors on the
trip. The Report should be approximately 2,000 words and include a literature review,
Methodology, and Recommendations/Conclusions.
3. Third, there is a Presentation. There will be one Presentation. The Presentation will occur within a
few weeks of our return from Costa Rica. You will present your Project from the trip. We will invite
anyone to attend the on-campus Presentation, but it is most likely going to be students from the
trip in attendance and perhaps a small number of students and Professors from the HTM
department who are interested in our topics in attendance.
Assignment Grading
Table I. Grade Breakdown
Assignment
Reflexive Journal
Presentation
Report/Project
Participation
TOTAL
No.
1
1
1
1
%/ea.
25
20
25
30
Total
25
20
25
30
A+
A
AB+
B-
> 90%
85-89
80-84
77-79
70-72
4
N/A
100
C+
67-69
C
CD+
D
F
63-66
60-62
57-59
53-56
0-59
HTM*4120 Syllabus |3
Additional Field Course Information
Packing correctly for the field course is of the utmost importance. We will discuss packing correctly for this
trip in class. The Costa Rican government has also created a website that will be a valuable assistant for you:
http://costa-rica-guide.com/travel/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=277&Itemid=483
The daily schedule while in Costa Rica is attached as Appendix B.
Cost
A field course that includes a full week in a foreign country requires additional funds beyond a regular
course. The cost to attend the Costa Rica portion of this course is $1,595 plus airfare, which is estimated to
cost $699. This price includes:
 All land transfers (including a bus and driver);
 Guided tour by local naturalist bilingual guide with more than 25 years of experience;
 All lodging;
 Most meals (you will be responsible for a limited number of meals on days when there are
activity choices and members of the group split up);
 La Paz Waterfall Gardens Tour;
 La Tirimbina Rain Forest hike;
 La Linda Canopy ZIP LINE Trip;
 Cahuita National Park Tour;
 Beach activities;
 Gratuities;
 and Ecotourism Specialist and courseCo-Leader; Professor Miles Phillips.
We recommend you also budget for the following:
 $26 exit tax to leave Costa Rica;
 Extra Meals can be as low as $25 or more based upon your restaurant decisions. On past trips
students have estimated $75 because they have chosen seated restaurants and some alcohol
drinks;
 and $150 for souvenirs, gifts, personal expenses, additional activities, and/or a cell phone chip if
you would like your phone to work while in Costa Rica.
Academic Integrity
Academic misconduct is behaviour that erodes the basis of mutual trust on which scholarly exchanges
occur, undermines the University’s exercise of its responsibility to evaluate students’ academic achievement
or restricts the University’s ability to accomplish its learning objectives. The University of Guelph is
committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and requires all members of the
University community to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible
to prevent academic offences from occurring. All information you should know about academic integrity at
the University as it applies to this course can be found here:
http://www.open.uoguelph.ca/prospective/distance-education/academic-integrity.aspx
Furthermore, I reserve the right to use Turn It In, a website that detects plagiarism, at any time during the
semester for any of your assignments. Please visit turnitin.com or see me for more on this resource if you
have questions about how the website functions as it relates to this course.
HTM*4120 Syllabus |4
Lectures, Readings, Exams, and Assignments Outline:
Date
16-Jan
23-Jan
30-Jan
6-Feb
16-Feb
23-Feb
27-Feb
TBA
1-Apr
Topic
Sustainability
Read: Bramwell & Lane’s Sustainable Tourism: An Evolving Global Approach
Read: Bramwell & Lane’s Priorities in Sustainable Tourism Research
Read: Taillon's Eco- and Sustainable Tourism: The Evolution of Key Principles
Costa Rica
Read: Trejos & Matarrita's Community-based Tourism: Case Studies from Costa Rica
Read: Matarrita's Tourism Development in Costa Rica: History and Trends
Read: Lester & Rodgers' Teaching a Cross-Disciplinary Course in Costa Rica
Certification in Hospitality & Tourism
Read: Font and Harris' Re-thinking Standards from Green to Sustainable
Read: Folder containing Costa Rica's CST Information
Read: Folder containing LEED Certification Information
Read; Calvo’s Costa Rica Tour Guide Certification
Neoliberalism and Globalization
Read: Wood's Globalization at Sea
Read: Clever's The Effects of Capitalist Development on the Environment
Leave for Costa Rica
Return from Costa Rica
Assessment and Discussion of Trip, Prepare for Presentations
Presentations
Group Meetings in Justin's Office
Assignment
Reflexive Journal, Part 1
Reflexive Journal, Part 2
Presentation
Final Report
HTM*4120 Syllabus |5
Date
16-Feb
Topic
Hotel
CST
Fly to San Jose, Costa Rica
Hotel Aeropuerto
3
La Tirimbina
4
Transportation to Hotel Aeropuerto (http://hotelaeropuerto.co.cr)
Check-In at Hotel
Welcome and short discussion of Costa Rican culture and history with guide & hotel mgr
17-Feb
Travel to La Tirimbina, with stops at specialty attractions along the way.
Waterfall Gardens Tour and lunch (www.waterfallgardens.com)
Coffee Plantation Tour
2
Check-In at Hotel; La Tirimbina (http://www.tirimbina.org/)
Presentation on hotel operations and tour of property by hotel mgr
18-Feb
Morning hike at La Tirimbina Lodge rainforest (2.5 hrs) (http://www.tirimbina.org/ecotourism/walks.html)
La Tirimbina
4
Afternoon Canopy Zip Line Trip- La Linda with Aventuras Sarapiqui (http://www.sarapiqui.com/ing/tours.php?t=23)
19-Feb
Choose your tour: chocolate tour, white water rafting, bat tour, or Organizitation for Tropical Studies hike
Casa de las Flores
n/a
Departure to Cahuita
Arrive at Tortuguero National Park
Presentation and discussion of National Park system in Costa Rica, and its tourism significance
Check-In at Hotel; Casa de las Flores (http://www.lacasadelasfloreshotel.com/)
20-Feb
Dinner in downtown Cahuita
Visit Cahuita National Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cahuita_National_Park)
La Isla Inn
4
Snorkel - Reef contains 35 coral species, 140 mollusc species, 44 crustacean species, & 123 fish species. There is also vibrant
wildlife on land including N. Tamanduas, Pacas, White-nosed Coatis, Raccoons, sloth, agoutis, Mantled Howlers & Whiteheaded Capuchins. Bird varieties include Green Ibis, Green and rufous Kingfisher and Keel-billed Toucan.”
Departure to Puerto Viejo
Lunch at La Isla Inn
Check-In at Hotel; La Isla Inn (http://www.laislainn.com/en/la-isla-inn-hotel/welcome.html)
Discussion of this region of Caribbean and Costa Rica
Hiking tour
21-Feb
Open day to explore national park, beaches, and city (we will have guides and/or transportation for each)
La Isla Inn
4
22-Feb
Morning beach program (including snorkeling) with guide
Hotel Aeropuerto
3
Drive to San Jose (4 hours)
Fairwell dinner in downtown San Jose with local cuisine
23-Feb
Leave in the morning to return to the University of Guelph
HTM*4120 Syllabus |6