Why study Tourism?

Tourism Tourism is an economic, social and cultural activity that connects sectors such as accommodation, transport, gastronomy, travel agencies, events, entertainment and heritage conservation. Its development can generate employment, boost entrepreneurial ventures and foster the growth of destinations that responsibly leverage their natural and cultural resources.

Those who wish to train in this field can find different options, such as the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, the Technical Degree in Tourism, the degree in Tourism Guide and different programs related to hospitality, travel management and event organization. The duration, the scope of the qualification and the possibility of continuing a technical degree to obtain a bachelor's degree depend on each institution and its curriculum.

Do you want to study Tourism?

Studying Tourism allows you to understand how experiences are designed, organized, promoted and managed for people who travel for leisure, business, culture, sports, health, nature or other reasons. The degree is not only about traveling or seeing destinations: it requires planning, management skills, customer service and knowledge of the economic, social and environmental context of each place.

The professionals in the sector usually work with people of different ages, cultures and nationalities. For this reason, in addition to creativity and dynamism, they need to develop communication, organization, problem-solving, teamwork and adaptation to unforeseen situations skills.

What is studied in the Tourism degree?

Studying Tourism involves training in various areas. Depending on the university or institute, the program may include subjects related to geography, history, cultural heritage, administration, marketing, economics, accounting, finance, tourism legislation, statistics, languages, and human resources management.

It is also common to find content on destination planning, the design of tourist circuits, hotel management, transportation, travel agencies, event organization, consumer behavior, digital marketing, and sustainable tourism.

Some institutions complement the training with professional internships, technical visits, academic trips, research projects, or activities with companies and public agencies. These experiences help students learn how the sector actually works and build professional contacts before finishing their studies.

What skills does a tourism professional need?

There is no single profile, but some abilities are especially valuable for working in this field:

• Communicating clearly and providing good customer service.
• Organizing activities, itineraries, budgets, and schedules.
• Solving problems quickly and staying calm in unexpected situations.
• Working in teams with people from different areas and cultures.
• Learning languages to expand job opportunities.
• Using digital tools, reservation systems, and marketing platforms.
• Understanding the needs of travelers, businesses, and host communities.
• Acting responsibly toward cultural heritage and the environment.

Empathy is also important. During a trip, delays, itinerary changes, complaints, or issues with booked services can arise. A trained professional must listen, explain available alternatives, and look for solutions that protect both the traveler and the organization they work for.

Why study Tourism?

• Because you're interested in learning about destinations, cultures, customs, and heritage.
• Because you want to design experiences, tours, or tourist circuits.
• Because you're looking for a degree that combines management, communication, and customer service.
• Because you'd like to work in travel agencies, hotels, airlines, transport companies, cruise lines, or convention centers.
• Because you're interested in organizing conferences, trade fairs, festivals, sports events, or corporate trips.
• Because you want to develop your own tourism business.
• Because you're drawn to destination promotion and tourism marketing.
• Because you want to contribute to the economic development of a town or region.
• Because you're interested in protecting and promoting natural and cultural heritage.
• Because you're looking for a career connected to people from different countries and backgrounds.

Specializations within Tourism

The field of Tourism includes many areas of specialization. One of them is sustainable tourism, focused on reducing the negative impacts of the activity, protecting natural resources, and generating benefits for local communities.

Cultural tourism focuses on the promotion and conservation of historical sites, museums, traditions, gastronomy, and artistic expressions. Nature and adventure tourism, meanwhile, covers activities such as hiking, mountaineering, sailing, wildlife watching, and trips through natural areas.

There are also opportunities in rural tourism, gastronomic tourism, religious tourism, educational tourism, meetings tourism, corporate travel, hospitality, event organization, agency management, destination promotion, and tourism planning through public bodies.

Another growing area is the digital management of tourism. Companies need professionals capable of managing booking platforms, analyzing traveler reviews, creating promotional campaigns, marketing experiences online, and using information to better understand demand.

Where can a Tourism graduate work?

Employment opportunities will depend on the qualification obtained, experience, languages and chosen guidance. Some of the areas in which a professional can work are:

• Travel agencies and tour operators.
• Hotels, inns, resorts and other accommodations.
• Airlines, terminals, transportation companies and cruises.
• Tour companies and recreational activities.
• Tourist information and promotion offices.
• Municipalities, ministries and public agencies.
• Convention centers and event planning companies.
• Museums, parks, nature reserves and heritage sites.
• Consulting firms specialized in destination planning and development.
• Own ventures in lodging, tours, experiences or services for travelers.

It is also possible to work in commercial, administrative, communication, market research, training and tourism product development areas.

What should you check before choosing where to study?

Before enrolling, it is advisable to compare the curriculum, the length of the degree, the study modality and the official recognition of the qualification. It is also worth checking whether the institution offers internships, agreements with companies, exchange programs, language training and intermediate qualifications.

It is important to check what additional expenses the degree may have, such as academic trips, materials, uniforms, certifications or practical activities. Reviewing these aspects allows you to choose an option that better suits your goals, availability and budget.

Tourism offers options for very different profiles. Some people prefer direct traveler service, while others lean toward administration, planning, technology, destination promotion or creating ventures. Exploring these options before choosing a degree can help you build a professional path in line with your interests.

Where to study Tourism?

Argentina

Universidad Abierta Interamericana — Buenos Aires and Rosario. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, 4 years; University Guide in Tourism, 2 and a half years; and Higher Technical Degree in Tourism, 3 years. Check out the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and See the University Guide in Tourism degree.

Universidad Argentina de la Empresa — Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and Hospitality, with an intermediate qualification as University Technician in Tourism and Hospitality upon completing 3 years. On-campus mode. Learn about the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and Hospitality.

Universidad Argentina John F. Kennedy — Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, University Technical Degree in Tourism and Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Administration. Check out the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and See the University Technical Degree in Tourism.

Universidad Atlántida Argentina — Provincia de Buenos Aires. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, with an intermediate qualification as University Technician in Travel and Tourism Agency Management. Distance learning mode. Review the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism program.

Universidad Blas Pascal — Córdoba. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Management, the latter as a curricular complementation cycle. It offers distance learning options. Explore the Tourism degrees and Learn about the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Management.

Universidad Católica de Salta — Salta. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and University Tourism Guide, the latter 2 and a half years long. On-campus and distance learning options. View the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and Check the distance learning option.

Universidad Católica de Santiago del Estero — Santiago del Estero y Rafaela. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, 4 years long with on-campus classes. Review the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism program.

Universidad Champagnat — Mendoza. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, with intermediate qualification as Tourism Guide and Travel Coordinator. On-campus classes. Learn about the degree and its intermediate qualifications.

Universidad de Congreso — Mendoza. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, 4 years long, with intermediate qualification as University Tourism Technician. On-campus classes. Check the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism curriculum.

Universidad de la Marina Mercante — Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism. View the Tourism academic offering.

Universidad del Salvador — Buenos Aires. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, 4 years, with an intermediate University Technician in Tourism qualification upon completing 3 years. In-person modality. Learn about the degree and the intermediate qualification.

Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos — Concordia. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, with an intermediate University Technician in Tourism qualification after 2 years. In-person modality. Check out the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and View the official degree profile.

Universidad Nacional de General San Martín — General San Martín. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and Tour Guide degree, both in person. Learn about the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and Check out the Tour Guide degree.

Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco — Puerto Madryn. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, Tourism Technician and Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Business Administration. In-person modality. Explore the Tourism degrees in Puerto Madryn.

Universidad Nacional de La Plata — La Plata. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, in-person modality. See the institutional degree information and See the Bachelor's Degree at the Facultad de Económicas.

Universidad Nacional de La Rioja — La Rioja. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and University Technical Degree in Tour Guiding. In-person modality. Learn about the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and See the Technical Degree in Tour Guiding.

Universidad Nacional de Lanús — Lanús. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, with an intermediate qualification of University Technical Degree in Tourism. In-person modality. See the degree and its intermediate qualification.

Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata — Mar del Plata. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, approximately 5 years long according to the curriculum structure. In-person modality. Review the Tourism curriculum.

Universidad Nacional de Misiones — Posadas. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and degree in Tour Guiding. In-person modality. See the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and See the degree in Tour Guiding.

Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires — Tandil. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and University Tourism Guide. In-person format. Explore the in-person Bachelor's degree and View the University Tourism Guide program.

Universidad Nacional del Comahue — Neuquén. 5-year Bachelor's Degree in Tourism; 3-year University Guide in Tourism; and 2-and-a-half-year Technical Degree in Tourism Service Companies. In-person format. Explore the tourism degrees offered and Check out the University Guide in Tourism.

Universidad Nacional del Nordeste — Corrientes. 5-year Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, with an intermediate Technician in Tourism qualification upon completing 3 years. In-person format. Review the Bachelor's Degree and the intermediate qualification.

Universidad Nacional del Sur — Bahía Blanca. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and University Technician in Tourism Ventures. In-person format. View the degrees of the Department of Geography and Tourism and View the curriculum for the Technician in Tourism Ventures.

Colombia

Universidad Externado de Colombia — Bogotá. Undergraduate degree in Tourism and Hotel Business Administration, in-person format. Learn about the undergraduate degree in Tourism and Hotel Administration at Universidad Externado de Colombia and View the undergraduate academic program.

Spain

CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy — Barcelona. University degree in Tourism, 4 years and 240 credits, in-person format. Check the CETT Tourism Degree.

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid — Madrid. Degree in Tourism, in-person format. Learn about the UAM Tourism Degree.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid — Madrid. Degree in Tourism, with 240 ECTS and in-person format. Review the Tourism Degree program.

Universidad Complutense de Madrid — Madrid. Degree in Tourism, in-person format. Check the Tourism Degree fact sheet and View the 2026-2027 study plan.

Universidad de Alcalá — Guadalajara. Degree in Tourism, in-person format. Learn about the Degree in Tourism in Guadalajara and View the plan's courses.

Universidad de Alicante — Alicante. Degree in Tourism, in-person format. View the Degree in Tourism in Alicante.

Universidad de Almería — Almería. Degree in Tourism, 4 years, in-person format. View the Degree in Tourism overview.

Universidad de Burgos — Burgos. Degree in Tourism, 4 years, available in in-person and online formats. Learn about the in-person format and View the online format.

Universidad de Cádiz — Jerez de la Frontera. Degree in Tourism, in-person format. View the Degree in Tourism in Jerez.

Universidad de Córdoba — Córdoba. Degree in Tourism, in-person format. Learn about the Degree in Tourism in Córdoba.

Universidad de Deusto — Bilbao and San Sebastián. Degree in Tourism, in-person format. View the Degree in Tourism program.

Universidad de Extremadura — Badajoz. Degree in Tourism and double degree in Administración y Dirección de Empresas and Tourism. The double degree lasts 5 years and comprises 306 credits. In-person modality. See the Degree in Tourism and See the double degree in ADE and Tourism.

Universidad de Granada — Granada. Degree in Tourism, with 240 ECTS and in-person modality. Learn about the 240 ECTS credit curriculum.

Universidad de Huelva — Huelva. Degree in Tourism, in-person modality. See the academic offering in Tourism.

Universidad de Jaén — Jaén. Degree in Tourism, in-person modality. See the Degree in Tourism in Jaén.

Universidad de La Laguna — Tenerife. Degree in Tourism, of 4 years and 240 ECTS, in-person modality. Learn about the characteristics of the degree and See the structure of the curriculum.

Universidad de las Islas Baleares — Islas Baleares. Degree in Tourism, in-person modality. See the Degree in Tourism in the Islas Baleares.

Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria — Gran Canaria. Degree in Tourism, available in-person and online. Check the in-person option and See the online option.

Universidad de León — León. Degree in Tourism, in-person. Learn about the Degree in Tourism in León.

Universidad de Murcia — Murcia. Degree in Tourism, in-person. Check the teaching guide for the degree.

Universidad de Málaga — Málaga. Degree in Tourism and double degree with Translation and Interpreting, both in-person. See the Degree in Tourism in Málaga and Explore the Faculty of Tourism.

Universidad de Sevilla — Sevilla. Degree in Tourism, in-person. Check the Degree in Tourism in Sevilla.

Universidad de Valladolid — Segovia. Degree in Tourism, in-person. Learn about the Degree in Tourism in Segovia and Visit the campus Tourism site.

Universidad de Vigo — Ourense. Degree in Tourism, in-person format. Check the teaching guide for the Degree in Tourism.

Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena — Cartagena. Degree in Tourism, with 240 ECTS and in-person format. See the Degree in Tourism curriculum.

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos — Madrid. Degree in Tourism, available in-person, blended and online formats. Explore the Degree in Tourism formats and Check the online Degree in Tourism.

Universidade da Coruña — A Coruña. Degree in Tourism, in-person format. See the Degree in Tourism fact sheet.

Universitat de Girona — Girona. Degree in Tourism, in-person format. Learn about the Girona Degree in Tourism.

Universitat de Lleida — Lleida. Degree in Tourism, in-person format. Explore the Degree in Tourism offering and Check the curriculum and teaching guides.

Universitat de València — Valencia. Degree in Tourism, in-person modality. See the information on the Degree in Tourism.

Universitat Jaume I — Castellón. Degree in Tourism, in-person modality. Learn about the Degree in Tourism program.

Guatemala

Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Centro Universitario de Chimaltenango. Technician in Tourism, 6 semesters, and Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, 10 semesters in total. In-person modality. Check the Tourism degrees in Chimaltenango.

Universidad Mariano Gálvez — Guatemala. Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality, Tourism and Gastronomy Administration, in-person modality. See the Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality, Tourism and Gastronomy.

Peru

Universidad de San Martín de Porres — Lima and Chiclayo. Degree in Tourism and Hospitality, 5 years, leading to the bachelor's degree and the professional title of licenciado. In-person modality. Learn about the degree in Tourism and Hospitality and Check the undergraduate admission offerings.

Dominican Republic

Universidad Abierta para Adultos — Santo Domingo, Santiago and Nagua. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Business Administration, 4 years and 189 credits; Bachelor's Degree in Modern Languages with a concentration in Tourism, 4 years; and Travel and Event Services Management, 2 years. Online and blended formats. See the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Administration and Learn about the Bachelor's Degree in Modern Languages and Tourism.

Universidad APEC — Santo Domingo. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and Hotel Administration, in-person format. Check the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and Hotel Administration and Review the degree curriculum.

Universidad Católica Santo Domingo — Santo Domingo. Bachelor's Degrees in Tourism Administration and Hotel Administration, both in-person. See the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism Administration and Check the Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Administration.

Universidad Psicología Industrial Dominicana — Santo Domingo. Higher Technician in Travel and Tourism Administration, in-person modality. Learn about the Higher Technician in Travel and Tourism.

Uruguay

Instituto Universitario Francisco de Asís — Maldonado. Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, 4 years; University Tourism Guide, 2 years; plus other qualifications and courses related to the sector. In-person modality. See the Bachelor's Degree in Tourism and Explore other Tourism courses and qualifications.

ITHU Politécnico — Montevideo. Technician in Tourism and GDS, 10 months, in-person modality. Check out the Technician in Tourism and GDS.