Overview of Course

Set sail with NRRT 372, where you’ll explore the dynamic world of global tourism marketing while traveling across continents. Unlike any other industry, tourism is about selling experiences, emotions, and places—and in this competitive global landscape, destinations must stand out to attract visitors.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of contemporary tourism marketing strategies within a global, experiential learning environment. Utilizing the Semester at Sea voyage as a living laboratory, students will engage with foundational marketing theories and apply them to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by tourism professionals across diverse cultural and geographic contexts. The course adopts a systems approach to examine how tourism services, destinations, and products can be effectively positioned in an increasingly competitive and dynamic global marketplace. Emphasis is placed on understanding the external forces shaping tourism demand, including economic, technological, and sociocultural trends, as well as on developing strategic responses to these changes. Through field assignments, destination-based case studies, and critical reflections, students will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies essential for responsible and effective tourism marketing.
This immersive course will bring marketing to life, using real-world case studies from our Semester at Sea destinations. As we visit diverse ports, you’ll analyze how different countries and cities promote themselves, learning how culture, history, and natural attractions shape their tourism strategies. Through interactive projects, hands-on field experiences, and expert discussions, you’ll explore key marketing concepts, branding techniques, and digital promotional strategies used by global destinations and tourism enterprises.