Why this programme?

The main educational objective of the “Heritage, Tourism and Cultural Identity” programme is to equip students of Portuguese descent and Portuguese speakers with the skills to understand cultural heritage as a central element of identity and a strategic resource in tourism. Through a practical and interdisciplinary approach, participants develop critical analysis skills regarding the promotion, preservation and communication of heritage, recognising its role in constructing cultural narratives and creating authentic and sustainable tourism experiences.

At the same time, the programme seeks to strengthen participants’ connection to their cultural heritage, particularly within the context of the diaspora, by encouraging reflection on identity, memory and belonging. By bringing together history, heritage, tourism and literature, the programme fosters an integrated and informed understanding of Portuguese culture, preparing students to act as cultural mediators capable of valuing and reinterpreting heritage within a global and multicultural context.