TurismOk - Centro servizi della Valle d'Aosta specializzato nel settore turistico

Training course in primary schools in the village of Montjovet

The project aims to develop the culture of hospitality and tourism among primary school children. While these themes are developed and taught in secondary schools or in university courses, there is no such education program dedicated to children of young age. The innovation consits in creating awareness about the importance of tourism in young people living in tourism destinations, who are likely to become future tourism operators.

In particular, the initiative focuses on:

• understanding the basics of tourism and the meaning of welcoming guests
• learning how to evaluate and consequently enhance local resources
• creating an Handbook of the host.

This particular target requires an unconventional approach to teaching. Various multi-disciplinary subjects such as history, geography, mathematics, and Italian language are taught through playful moments, while the knowkledge of the local resources is developed through on-field programs like educational trips.

Montjovet was the first municipality to initiate a project of this kind. The initiative has been piloted in the fourth and fifth classes of primary school in the capital. In total 22 children were involved, with the help of 3 teachers and 4 employees.

The project was structured into 3 steps. Each step was divided into classroom and outdoor learning. Teaching has been mostly in Italian, but has provided some explanations in French.

Why a project of this kind?

• To disseminate the culture of right from primary school;
• Because the realities tourist must train those of tomorrow.

What purpose?

• Make clear to children what it means to live in a tourism context;
• Train the young operators on how to welcome a guest;
• Creating a better understanding of the local resources.

Which teaching method?

• The game: the most beautiful and natural for children. Thanks to contributions from industry experts like Dr. Mauro Caldera, creative designer, director of the Park of fantasy Gianni Rodari of Omega, it was possible to simplify important concepts through play.
• An educational workshop to build together a role-playing game: "The Montjouet"