In this cycle of studies, issues of hospitality and its dimensions are addressed, based on conceptual knowledge of theoretical thinking of trends in the area. Hospitality in this context is understood as both an economic activity and as a cultural phenomenon, "an intellectual search of social dimensions, along with the economic nature", whose fundamental elements of hospitality are: customer satisfaction, competitiveness, and collaboration, the design, and improvement of services, the management of the relationship between customer service and management of hospitality services.
Knowing the dynamics and its implementation, the action of the tourism professional, in the various working contexts, it is claimed as a distinctive opportunity, innovative, enhancer of the quality system and increased competitiveness, either in the companies or in the tourist destinations. Thus, this master is placed on achieving a formation that aims:
The management of operations in the optical quality of the provision of adequate services to the diversity of consumers;
The management of the relationship and the interaction between the host community in the defense and protection of their culture and heritage and visitors;
Strategic planning thought to the host, reflecting on social and individual issues;
Tourist information and differentiating strategic marketing access to consumers;
The authenticity and originality of the social and cultural spaces, equipment, and tourism resources as a priority;
Planning and management of events, cultural, social, and individually differentiated.
This 2nd cycle is also concerned with the dimensions of research as a fundamental support to the practice of work as a way of personal and social growth.
The master's program will expand the offer of postgraduate training in the emerging field of tourism and hospitality, contributing to the regional and national economic systems. Students will be encouraged to produce based on the strong relationship with industry organizations, which will be integrated into research projects and invited to contribute to the study of labor market needs.
It is intended, with this master's program, to promote the creation of synergies in cooperation with the tourism system organizations, for the development of the territories and the various dimensions of hospitality associated with them.
The aim is also to develop an academic exchange with other national and international institutions of higher education. In short, the students will be granted the powers enabling them to actively contribute to the positioning of tourism to an entrepreneurial level, innovative, and imbued with a thought directed to people, communities, and their heritage and culture.
Why choose this program
This cycle of studies conveys specialized training in the area of Tourism and Leisure which is presented as sequential and complementary to that given in the 1st study cycles in Tourism Management, Hospitality Management, Economics, Marketing, Social Sciences, Geography, Heritage areas, Planning regional and Urban, and related fields.
The philosophy that underlies the curriculum of the MPhil structure in Tourism and Hospitality promotes understanding and mastery of hospitality in the areas of knowledge of tourism, based on a curious spirit, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, in close interaction with companies and organizations. Learning is centered on the student, promoting the development of self-employment skills and analytical and critical thinking, as well as strong social and cultural awareness. The teaching/learning methods foster technical and scientific expertise of Tourism, Leisure, and Hospitality based on the needs of consumers, the involvement of local communities, and the socio-cultural development of the territory based on collaboration with institutions, companies, and partner organizations. This promotes a greater connection to the market sector, at the level of training, employability, and applied research.
Projects
ICM Partnership Portugal-Brasil “Water, landscape and sustainable tourism”, (ERASMUS +), 2017-2019
ICM Partnership Portugal- Republic of China “Museum and Cultural Landscape”, (ERASMUS+), 2016- 2018 e 2018-2020
ICM Partnership Portucalense University and State University of New York (SUNY) Potsdam “Global Climate Change and Wine Tourism Strategic Responses”, (ERASMUS+), 2018-2020
EURICA “EUROPE RITUAL CUISINE– DIGITAL PRESENTATION AND PRESERVATION”, (ERASMUS+), 2020-2022
PERICLES “Preserving and sustainably governing Cultural heritage and Landscapes in European coastal and maritime regions”, 2018 – 2022
FENICE “Fostering Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Cultural and Creative Industries through Interdisciplinary Education”, (ERASMUS +), 2020-2022
TWINE “Co-creating sustainable Tourism & Wine Experiences in rural areas (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-032259)” (FCT), 2018 - 2022
CREATOUR “Creative Tourism Destination Development in Small Cities and Rural Areas”, 2016 - 2020
International approach
International students are welcome! They have a chance to participate in the MPhil program through a regular application (becoming regular students of UPT) or decide to choose this course for an experience of international mobility (ERASMUS +, in this case, the candidates must be regularly registered in an MPhil’s degree in another European university). In both cases, UPT supports international students with personalized attention and care and gives all the necessary information about the city, accommodation, transport system, entertainment, and leisure, etc.
An International Coordination Service purposely created for this matter will be fully at their service!
