USI Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano, Switzerland recently invited UM academic Dr John Ebejer to deliver a teaching module for the USI Master in International Tourism programme. The module was designed and developed in collaboration with the students’ tutor Dr Claudio Visentin. The module was about urban tourism and largely based on Dr Ebejer’s recent academic book Tourism in European Cities: Architecture, Urban Spaces, and City Attractions.

Dr Ebejer also gave a research presentation to USI academics and postgraduate students. He spoke about fortification systems and the need to safeguard heritage and social values when conservation projects are carried out on this important type of urban heritage.

The visit to USI came about following an invitation from Prof. Lorenzo Cantoni and Dr Silvia De Ascaniis. Prof. Cantoni is holder of the UNESCO chair in ICT to develop and promote sustainable tourism in World Heritage Sites. In discussions, the three explored the possibility of USI and UM collaboration on a Horizon Europe project.

Dr John Ebejer is senior lecturer at the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture of the University of Malta.