Island tourism students get a practical lesson in the PEI visitor experience

UPEI students took their island tourism course to its logical, practical end by mingling with tourists from the cruise ship MS Veendam when it docked earlier this month in Charlottetown.

Students had previously visited the arrivals lounge in the Charlottetown Airport to examine how the airport space contours the expectations of tourists who have just arrived by plane to the Island. Students looked at how three different tourist segments—potential business investors, the food- and culture-driven, and those visiting friends and relatives—responded to different verbal and visual advertising initiatives. Visiting the cruise ship terminal in downtown Charlottetown allowed students to compare this space that is similarly yet differently welcoming to the airport terminal.

The Island Tourism course is offered jointly by the Island Studies Program and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at UPEI. The course is taught by Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, UNESCO co-Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.