The Polytechnic University of Beja will create a Higher Technical Professional Course in Border Tourism and Eurocity, in partnership with Turismo de Portugal. Classes will take place at the Hotel and Tourism School of Vila Real de Santo António, in the Algarve, with the start scheduled for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The course's coverage area includes eight municipalities, four from Baixo Alentejo (Barrancos, Serpa, Mértola and Moura) and four from the Algarve (Alcoutim, Castro Marim, Vila Real de Santo António and Tavira). Although it has a special focus on the Eurocity Guadiana, made up of Vila Real de Santo António, Castro Marim and Ayamonte, the training is not limited to that territory.
The study plan includes creation and management of thematic routes, local gastronomy, territorial marketing, digital technologies applied to tourism, and cultural and industrial heritage of the Guadiana, as well as learning English and Spanish. The course awards 120 credits and a higher professional technician diploma, with capacity for a maximum of 25 new students per academic year.
The training aims to prepare professionals for tourism activities in border territories, linking heritage, natural resources and cooperation between Portugal and Spain. Among the objectives are the enhancement of heritage, supporting the settlement of young people and coordination with local tourism entities and activities in the covered territories.
