Seminario alpino - Costruire un futuro sostenibile per il turismo

Description of the topics addressed in this seminar:
Tourism is a major source of global income and offers unique opportunities for personal and cultural enrichment. However, the environmental impact of tourism is significant and cannot be ignored. What future then for tourism to become sustainable? New forms of tourism aim to minimize negative impacts on the environment, culture and economy of local communities, while promoting the conservation of nature and cultural resources, as well as the well-being of host communities and visitors. This is accompanied by sustainable tourism facilities that use renewable energy, promote local culture and fair trade, as well as the use of sustainable means of transportation or encourage the participation of local communities in tourism management.

Detailed Program: 
The detailed program with planned excursions and guest-speakers will be specified on the attached document, along with activity and travel schedules.

Organization and costs:
The overnight stay and breakfast at the House of Sustainability are free of charge, as are the activities in the program. The Alpine Seminar is free of charge for students, including overnight stay at the House of Sustainability and breakfast, travel by train a/r from Lugano/Mendrisio to Airolo (you will be provided a few days in advance with a free digital ticket valid for the seminar dates). Participants are responsible for the cost of their own meals. 
We strongly encourage you to consult the Alpine Seminars FAQ page where you can find all the practical information you need https://www.casasostenibilita.usi.ch/it/seminario-alpino.

The Alpine Seminar aims to provide students with analytical skills in a variety of relevant contexts that may be useful for future careers on the topic of sustainable development. During the course, some topics related to sustainable development will be encountered in order to show how sustainability should be developed as a culture capable of bringing environmental, social and economic aspects into dialogue with an ethical outlook.

Bachelor students will be able to explore the various themes of sustainability through an innovative course that, starting from the encounter with the territory, combines theory and practice. A privileged opportunity to reflect on how to create "a well-functioning society" capable of improving the living conditions of citizens without compromising the lives of future generations.

In presence

• Two-hour theoretical introduction on sustainable development
• Immersion in the alpine landscape for the purpose of experiencing the value of environmental resources with 1 or 2 field trips each lasting about half a day (very easy level, suitable for everyone. Any problems with reduced mobility should be reported to the House of Sustainability team in a timely manner).
• 1 or 2 in-depth thematic discussions with USI lecturers and/or invited external experts lasting between 45-90 minutes. The meeting with experts will focus on dialogue with students (preparation of questions during the seminar) and can be organized in-person or online.
• Student group work and presentation of group work. One week before the start of the seminar, articles to be read and prepared before starting the course will be uploaded to the iCorsi platform

Mandatory attendance in Airolo and active. Presentation of a short group work that will be done during the seminar. The presentation and active participation will be evaluated by the course leader to determine if the course has been passed. No grade will be assigned, but a pass ("Pass") or fail ("Resp") grade will be given.
ECTS are assigned depending on faculty decisions. 

• Airolo, 14.05.25 - 16.05.25 (Compulsory)