EP19 – Let's SPIC About… Tourism, Education and Careers

EP19 – Let’s SPIC About… Tourism, Education and Careers

Spotify

In this episode of the Let’s SPIC About… podcast, three former students from the Bachelor's in Tourism share their academic and professional journeys, reflecting on the demands, opportunities and realities of the tourism sector.

Throughout the conversation, they highlight the programme’s strong practical component, which enables students to gain valuable experience and build important professional connections from an early stage. They also emphasise the broad scope of the degree, allowing students to specialise in different areas of tourism.

The guests also underline that professional growth requires experience across different roles, arguing that anyone aspiring to leadership positions should first understand frontline work and the challenges faced within the sector.

Among the key skills identified were communication, empathy when dealing with the public, organisational abilities, general knowledge, and the capacity to adapt to different contexts and cultures. The importance of interpersonal skills in customer service and client relations was also emphasised.

During the episode, the speakers also addressed several common misconceptions about tourism, such as the belief that it is limited to the hotel industry or that it does not require higher education. They stressed the high level of commitment the profession demands, including language proficiency, flexible working hours, stress management and strong availability.

The growing competitiveness of the sector was also discussed, driven by the increasing number of accommodation providers and the constant need for differentiation. The impact of technology and Artificial Intelligence was likewise highlighted, reinforcing the importance of adapting to new tools.

In the final part of the episode, the guests offered advice to current students, encouraging them to embrace challenges, take part in events, make the most of study visits and invest in practical learning opportunities.

This discussion reinforces the importance of a solid, critical and up-to-date education in preparing students to meet the challenges of a sector that is constantly evolving.

Text
Mariana Pádua

Photography
Beatriz Silva
Rui Simões

Editing
Marco Migueis