This multidisciplinary academic program offers a comprehensive overview of the tourism industry. Based on both theoretical and practical components, the course prepares students for the effective management of destinations, companies, and tourism services, equipping them with the essential skills and knowledge to thrive in the dynamic and competitive field of tourism.

The curriculum has a broad foundation, covering areas such as tourism marketing, destination planning, hotel operations management, sustainability in tourism, among others. Thus, students have the opportunity to develop a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by the tourism industry and explore its various facets.

The Bachelor's degree includes practical projects, internships, and experiential learning opportunities that allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts, working closely with companies and organizations in the sector to ensure all students have access to workplace learning experiences.

The power of networking and professional relationships is believed to enhance students' success; therefore, a variety of events, workshops, and networking opportunities are offered for students to interact with industry professionals, develop contacts, and explore career opportunities.

Additionally, ISLA recognizes the importance of sustainability in tourism and is committed to empowering students to become responsible and conscious leaders. The course addresses environmental, social, and economic sustainability issues and prepares students to face the challenges of a sustainable tourism industry.

Applicants for this study cycle must submit their application through the institutional access competition and have completed one of the following sets of exams:

• 04 Economics
• 18 Portuguese

or

• 09 Geography
• 18 Portuguese

or

• 06 Philosophy
• 09 Geography

or

• 09 Geography
• 13 English

or

• 16 Mathematics
• 18 Portuguese

or

• 04 Economics
• 09 Geography

Candidates may also be admitted through transfer regimes between institutions/courses or via a Special Admission process, in accordance with current legal regulations (holders of higher education degrees, holders of Technological Specialization Courses, holders of Professional Higher Technical Courses, or those over 23 years old).

Candidates who meet the conditions set out in the International Student Statute may also apply.

The Degree in Tourism Management is intended for all those who, meeting the conditions for entry, aspire to a qualified and solid career in the dynamic tourism sector. This course is especially suitable for those who aspire to work in the areas of tourism promotion of destinations, management of agencies and tour operators, tourist entertainment, transport and hospitality. With more than 20 years of experience in training qualified professionals for the sector, ISLA is a reference in Tourism education, preparing its students for the challenges of a constantly evolving market.

The Bachelor's degree in Tourism Management aims primarily to provide students with a solid and comprehensive education that enables them to become qualified and competent professionals in the tourism industry. It ensures valuable training adapted to new trends, promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, resource sustainability, and valuing career development and education in tourism.

With a curriculum structured around a strong theoretical component in the scientific fields of Tourism and Management and a qualified teaching staff with solid academic, scientific, and professional experience in various organizations, ISLA is committed to offering high-quality education that prepares students not only for career success but also to contribute significantly and positively to the tourism industry and society as a whole.

ISLA Gaia thus seeks to achieve various objectives that represent its vision of training future leaders in the national and international tourism sector.

ISLA is committed to providing high-quality education that prepares students to excel in the job market by developing the following skills:

• Management and Leadership: Develop management and leadership skills essential for coordinating teams, making strategic decisions, and leading projects in the tourism context. Learn to motivate and inspire others, resolve conflicts, and manage resources effectively to achieve organizational goals.
• Tourism Marketing and Promotion: Gain solid knowledge in tourism marketing and learn to develop effective strategies to promote destinations, attract visitors, and increase the visibility of tourism products and services. Learn to use digital marketing tools (social media and content marketing) to effectively reach target audiences.
• Destination Planning: Learn to analyze and evaluate the tourist resources of a region, identify tourism development opportunities, and create strategic plans for sustainable tourism growth in a given destination. Develop skills in urban planning, infrastructure management, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage.
• Hotel and Restaurant Management: Acquire knowledge in hotel management (hotel operations, revenue management, customer service, and quality control). Learn to create memorable guest experiences, optimize resource utilization, and maximize profits in hotel operations.
• Event Management: Develop skills to manage various types and sizes of events (cultural, social, corporate), including planning, organization, marketing, execution, and evaluation. Learn to coordinate teams, ensure participant satisfaction, and achieve event objectives.
• Sustainable Tourism: Gain an understanding of sustainable tourism principles and learn to integrate environmental, social, and economic considerations into all tourism-related activities. Develop sensitivity in managing natural resources, conserving biodiversity, corporate social responsibility, and community tourism.
• Communication and Interpersonal Relations: Develop verbal and written communication skills, active listening, essential for teamwork, negotiation, and conflict resolution. Learn to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse stakeholders, including clients, colleagues, suppliers, and local, national, or international communities.
• Financial and Budget Management: Learn to create and manage budgets for tourism projects, analyze financial reports, make investment decisions, and maximize the profitability of tourism operations.

Graduates of the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Management are qualified to pursue professional careers as:

• Tourism Business Managers
• Managers of Tourism Enterprises (including local accommodations and hotels)
• Tourism Animation Managers and Promoters
• Tourism Product Managers
• Event Organization Managers and Promoters
• Project Managers and Coordinators in Specialized Tourism Fields
• Consulting Firm Managers and Analysts in the Tourism Sector
• Senior Tourism Technicians in Central, Regional, and Local Public Administration (e.g., Turismo de Portugal, Regional Tourism Boards, City Councils)

They are also qualified to work in:

• Travel Agencies
• Tour Operators
• Airlines
• Education and Research Institutions

The study plan for the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Management at ISLA comprises 180 ECTS, divided into six academic semesters of 30 ECTS each. The foundational training components included in the program (namely in the areas of Tourism and Leisure, Management and Administration, Foreign Languages, Sociology, Information Technology, and Geography) provide graduates with the technical and scientific knowledge necessary to pursue further studies through a 2nd Cycle program in multiple specialization fields, not necessarily limited to their main area of study.

The 20 ECTS available in the curricular units of Internship/Applied Project I and II offer a valuable opportunity for students to gain practical experience, develop relevant skills, and build a solid foundation for future success in their professional careers.

The bachelor's degree allows for postgraduate studies progression in accordance with the structure of the Portuguese Higher Education System, as outlined by NARIC and presented in section 8 of the Diploma Supplement.