9 Studies in Tourism, Catering, Facility Management and Consumer Services

Tourism, catering, facility management and consumer services form a multifaceted sector within the service industry, comprising both private enterprises and the public sector. In line with the visions for the future, tourism and hotel business in particular are becoming areas of very intensive growth. Also small restaurants with a specialized service concept as well as other catering services, are predicted to form an expanding sector. Similar development is also expected in the facility management and welfare service sector in the future. The main services within the tourism sector are hotel and conference services, together with bed and breakfast services offered by small companies. Services in rural areas, such as farmhouse holidays together with event management, adventurous travelling and environment friendly tourism are also rapidly growing. Catering services are performed more and more by restaurant chains, but also by specialized small businesses. Catering services are also operated by the vast public sector and catering businesses. They operate catering services for day care centres for children, schools, in-company restaurants, hospitals, old peoples’ homes. Different types of service centres produce catering services to private households, for example with the elderly and disabled. Facility management incorporates cleaning, custodial and laundry services to form a wide, segmented field encompassing both the private and public sectors. Services within this field contain both integrated and specialized services. The public sector, organizations and enterprises provide consumer services. Sales and guidance services for individual consumers and households are a growing field due to the fact that operating environments are becoming more internationalized and complex than before.Espoo - Vantaa Polytechnic is located in a very international area with the largest number of inhabitants in the southern part of Finland. The majority of multinational companies in Finland are located in this area and many other national companies in this region run international activities. The size and diversity of the population allows for different types of service strategies. The wide and versatile service production in a strong competitive situation entails rapid changes in this field. New service businesses operating in networks recruit people with a high level of knowledge and with thorough familiarity with the field. Expert duties comprise planning, developing, counselling and managerial functions. Working life projects take place in consulting and development, product development and marketing, consumer research, human resources planning and staff training, and also within international projects together with companies operating in the field.

9.0.0.1   In Brief:

9.0.0.2   Degree Programmes

9.1 Hospitality Management: Espoo

DA1208 Introduction to Catering Management 3 ECTS Period 3 DA6005 Finnish Cuisine 4,5 ECTS Period 3 DA7290 Wine & Dine 3 ECTS Period 2 & 4 DA1207 Introduction to Hotel and Conference Services 3 ECTS Period 3 DA2303 Business Co-operation in Hotel and Conference Management 4,5 ECTS Period 4

9.2 Service Management

DAH2204 Leadership and Organisational Theories 3 ECTS Period 3 DAH7225 Multiculturalism in Service Sector 3 ECTS Period 3 DAH7226 Intercultural Communication 3 ECTS Period 3 DAH7215 International Tourism 3 ECTS Period 4 DAH7254 Marketing Communication and Advertising 3 ECTS Period 4 DAH7228 International Student Symposium: Event Management 1,5 ECTS Period 4 DAH9002 Working Life Project 1-3 ECTS Period 1 - 4 DAH7235 Academic Writing 1,5 ECTS Period 1 - 4 DAH7246 Guidance to International Studies 1,5 ECTS Period 1 - 4

9.3 Facility Management

DA5404 Cleaning and Environmental Services 3 ECTS Period 3 AH2405 Security of Operations and Premises 3 ECTS Period 4 DA7263 Environmental Studies 3 ECTS Period 4 DA1208 Introduction to Catering Management 3 ECTS Period 3 DA5603 Marketing of Facility Services 3 ECTS Period 3

9.4 SERVICE ENTREPRENEURSHIP: JÄRVENPÄÄ

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