The Higher Professional Technical Course (CTeSP) in Tourism and Tourist Information aims to qualify highly skilled professionals with the competencies to promote, develop, and manage sustainable and quality tourism in Portugal.

This course is designed to train professionals capable of coordinating and managing services and activities within tourism entities and companies, offering a comprehensive and practical education that covers everything from coordinating services in travel agencies to guiding visits to tourist sites and monuments.

• Holders of a 12th-grade diploma or legally equivalent qualification;
• Holders of CETs, CTeSPs, or higher education degrees;
• Applicants over the age of 23 those who have passed specially designed exams to assess their ability to attend higher education.

In addition, candidates must have passed two of the following Relevant Subject Areas:

• History
• Portuguese
• English

The Higher Professional Technical Course (CTeSP) in Tourism and Tourist Information is aimed at a wide range of candidates interested in developing careers in the tourism sector:

• Recent Secondary School Graduates: Young people who have completed secondary education and seek specialised training that enables them to enter the tourism job market, equipped with practical knowledge and skills in tourism and tourist information.
• Tourism Sector Professionals: Individuals already employed in tourism, hospitality, or related areas who wish to deepen their knowledge, update their skills, and advance their careers by acquiring more specialised training in tourist information and tourism management.
• Entrepreneurs and Tourism Project Managers: Those intending to manage or launch projects and businesses in the tourism sector and needing a solid foundation in tourism management, tourism marketing, and sustainability, as well as practical skills in event organisation and visitor services.
• Candidates for Professional Requalification: People aiming to change careers or return to the workforce with new qualifications in tourism, interested in contributing to the development of sustainable and quality tourism in Portugal.
• Enthusiasts of Portuguese Tourism and Culture: Individuals passionate about promoting Portugal cultural and natural heritage, eager to acquire knowledge and skills that enable them to boost and enhance national tourism and provide detailed tourist information to both national and international visitors.

The main objective of the CTeSP in Tourism and Tourist Information is to:

• Train qualified professionals capable of promoting tourism in Portugal and providing detailed tourist information about this country of concentrated diversity.
• Prepare higher professional technicians to coordinate and manage tourism services and activities, ensuring quality and customer-oriented service in various entities and companies within the sector.

Upon completing the course, graduates will be able to:

• Coordinate and manage services in travel agencies and tour operators.
• Provide customer service and welcome visitors in Portuguese, English, and French.
• Develop creative and innovative itineraries and tour packages.
• Manage bookings for tourism services and coordinate tourism events and entertainment activities.
• Apply marketing and promotional strategies to promote Portugal's tourism resources.

Graduates of the Higher Professional Technical Course (CTeSP) in Tourism and Tourist Information will be prepared to take on a wide range of roles within the tourism sector, benefiting from a training programme that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills highly valued by the job market. Career opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Tourist Information Officer: Work at tourism offices, providing essential information to visitors, creating promotional materials, and promoting cultural and natural heritage.
• Travel Agency Coordinator: Manage daily operations, develop innovative travel packages, make reservations, and coordinate customer service in multiple languages.
• Tourism Events Manager: Plan and organise events, from conferences to local festivals, contributing to the region's cultural and tourism development.
• Tour Guide: Lead guided tours, presenting sites and monuments of interest, using in-depth knowledge of history, art, and ethnography.
• Sustainable Tourism Operator: Develop and implement tourism projects that follow sustainability principles, promoting responsible and conscious tourism.
• Online Tourism Content Manager: Manage tourism websites and platforms, creating and updating content that promotes national and international tourism.
• Tourism Consultant: Provide specialised consultancy services to public and private entities, developing strategies to optimise tourism offerings and enhance visitor experience.

This course opens the door to a dynamic and rewarding career, allowing graduates to contribute significantly to the tourism sector by promoting Portugal as a top destination. It values tourism as a driver of sustainable development, using the latest tools and techniques in tourism management.

The curriculum consists of both general and specialized course units, enabling graduates to acquire the technical and scientific knowledge necessary to pursue further studies at the level of a 1st Cycle degree (i.e. Bachelor's degree) in various scientific fields.