NOVA University Lisbon Launches Innovative Postgraduate Course to Strengthen Excellence in Tourism in Portugal

19 de July, 2024

“It will be the first edition of something that could mark the training of future tourism leaders in our country,” stressed Pedro Saraiva, NOVA’s Vice Rector for Organisational Innovation and Digital Transformation and coordinator of TOHO, at the launch of the NOVA Leading postgraduate course in Tourism and Hospitality, which took place this Friday, 19th, in the Senate Room of the Rectory of the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. “We are increasingly aware that tourism must be based on innovation, science and sustainability,” added José Alferes, director of NOVA FCT, who will coordinate the course, which brings together teachers from eight of NOVA’s schools, after highlighting the different areas of knowledge at the university that can contribute to this end. 

The new postgraduate course “Leading Tourism & Hospitality”, which will start in the academic year 2024/2025, is an innovative programme that represents a milestone in the training of leaders for the future of tourism and hospitality in Portugal. 

Developed by the NOVA Tourism & Hospitality Platform (TOHO), this postgraduate degree reflects NOVA’s commitment to sustainable innovation in the tourism and hospitality sector. The programme is characterised by its interdisciplinary nature, involving more than 25 professors from 8 NOVA faculties, including a specialist from the EUTOPIA network. It also has the active participation of sector partners: Turismo de Portugal; Pestana Group; Details Hospitality, Sports and Leisure; AHP and APAVT. 

In the words of Pedro Saraiva, “this postgraduate degree is a concrete response to the qualification needs of the tourism and hospitality sector, integrating a multidisciplinary approach that is fundamental for the training of innovative leaders, prepared to face the challenges and opportunities of the future, in a sector that represents 16.8% of the Gross Domestic Product and 8.4% of jobs in our country”. 

The ceremony was also attended by the various partners of this postgraduate course, who also highlighted the added value of the project: “We know that when the economy has grown, tourism has been the engine of that growth, and today we are facing new challenges that we have to respond to, from sustainability to digital transformation”, stressed Carlos Abade, President of Turismo de Portugal. 

“Only with a broader and truly interdisciplinary view can we find answers to sustainable growth, which has become a key point in all our activities,” concluded Cristina Siza Vieira, CEO of the Hotel Association of Portugal, which is also a partner in the project. 

Other partners include APAVT – Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies and Details – Hotels and Resorts. 

The “Leading Tourism & Hospitality” postgraduate course aims to equip professionals in the sector with the necessary tools to enhance Portugal’s prestige in tourism development and innovation, and to help promote the country as a tourist destination of excellence. Created with the contributions of the main actors in the sector, this programme focuses on development and innovation, preparing students to face challenges and take advantage of emerging opportunities in the tourism and hospitality market, addressing economic and social sustainability, new motivations, tourist niches and the impact of digital innovation. 

More information here!