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Studies & Degrees in Management of Tourist Accommodation

Management of tourist accommodation is the training for people who run the rooms side of hotels and other places to stay: reception, reservations, housekeeping, sales and events. In Spain it is an official higher vocational qualification, the Técnico Superior en Gestión de Alojamientos Turísticos, a higher vocational training cycle (FP de grado superior) in the professional family Hostelería y Turismo. All 12 schools listed for this subject in our directory are in Spain.

According to TodoFP, the vocational training portal of the Spanish Ministry of Education, holders of the qualification can coordinate the services of an accommodation establishment, analyse the market and sell the product, manage reservations, supervise the reception department and organise events on the premises. The training plan includes these modules:

  • structure of the tourism market
  • tourism marketing
  • protocol and public relations
  • management of tourist accommodation
  • management of the housekeeping department
  • reception and reservations
  • human resources in accommodation
  • marketing of events
  • professional English and a second foreign language

The cycle also includes a training period in a company, which is an integrated part of the curriculum.

Qualifications and levels

Higher vocational training (grado superior). The official qualification has 2,000 hours, which schools spread over two academic years. It corresponds to level 5A of the Spanish qualifications framework (MECU). Applicants need the Bachillerato, an intermediate vocational training title, another higher or university qualification, or a pass in the entrance exam for higher cycles. Applicants who took the Humanities and Social Sciences branch of the Bachillerato have preference.

Basic level. The same professional family also has a basic vocational title, the Título Profesional Básico en Alojamiento y Lavandería.

University. The higher title gives access to university, with the possibility of having modules recognised. The related bachelor's degrees are in tourism and hotel management. CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy, a centre affiliated with the Universitat de Barcelona, teaches the Grado en Dirección Hotelera Internacional: four years and 240 ECTS credits. In its bilingual version the first two years are taught in Spanish or Catalan and the last two in English.

Where to study it

The cycle is taught in vocational training centres and in university schools of tourism. Examples from our directory:

  • Euroaula Escola Universitària (Barcelona) teaches the cycle in two years, on site or online, with company placements. It states that the title of Técnico Superior en Gestión de Alojamientos Turísticos is issued by the Department of Education of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Students can add one more year at a partner institution in Dublin (DBS) to obtain a bachelor's qualification.
  • Escola Universitària de Turisme MEDITERRANI (Barcelona) offers the two-year cycle in the mornings, with about 30 places.
  • CETT (Barcelona) teaches the cycle on site over two academic years, in Spanish and Catalan.
  • Altaviana (Valencia) describes its cycle as an official qualification of 2,000 hours taught on site over two years.

The language of instruction is Spanish, and in Catalonia also Catalan. English is a compulsory module and the plan includes a second foreign language. International students need enough Spanish to follow classes and to deal with guests during the placement. Those with school certificates from another country must have them recognised in Spain before enrolling in an official cycle.

Some private centres sell shorter or distance courses in hotel reception or accommodation management that are not the official cycle. Ask the school what recognition the qualification has before enrolling.

Careers

TodoFP lists these jobs for holders of the title:

  • assistant manager of a tourist accommodation establishment
  • head of reception
  • reservations supervisor or head of reservations
  • quality coordinator
  • head housekeeper, or section supervisor in housekeeping
  • accommodation manager in residences, hospitals and similar institutions
  • manager of rural accommodation
  • events coordinator
  • sales manager or sales representative of an accommodation establishment

The jobs are in hotels and other accommodation establishments, but also in residences, hospitals and rural houses.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the cycle last?

The official qualification has 2,000 hours. Schools such as Euroaula, EU Mediterrani and Altaviana teach it in two years.

What do I need to enrol?

The Bachillerato, an intermediate vocational training title or a pass in the entrance exam for higher cycles. Foreign qualifications must first be recognised in Spain.

Can I study it online?

Some schools offer it. Euroaula, for example, teaches an online version from Barcelona that also lasts two years and includes company placements.

Can I go on to university afterwards?

Yes. The title of Técnico Superior gives access to bachelor's degrees, and universities may recognise some of the modules. Ask the university which credits it recognises.