{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,2]],"date-time":"2026-01-02T17:28:20Z","timestamp":1767374900894,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":61,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,12]],"date-time":"2025-07-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1752278400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Tourism and Hospitality"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Higher education in tourism plays a pivotal role in the development of the tourism sector in Portugal\u2014one of the country\u2019s most vital economic pillars. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the adoption of innovative teaching methodologies by higher education institutions, aiming to foster more dynamic and student-centered learning environments. This article analyzes, through a qualitative approach grounded in educational and social science research, the main pedagogical and didactic strategies employed in leading tourism programs across Portugal. Drawing on a content analysis of curricular unit descriptions and all relevant public pedagogical information available on official institutional websites, this study provides a critical overview of current didactic practices. Finally, the research reflects on the degree to which innovative teaching and research practices are integrated and discusses their alignment with recognized international standards and best practices. This study contributes to bridging a significant research gap by systematically linking pedagogical practice in Portuguese tourism programs with global educational standards.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/tourhosp6030138","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,14]],"date-time":"2025-07-14T07:54:23Z","timestamp":1752479663000},"page":"138","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Didactic and Pedagogical Aspects of Tourism Training Programs in Portugal: Conceptual Analysis of Study Plans"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"6","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5052-0624","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gon\u00e7alo Maia","family":"Marques","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Escola Superior de Educa\u00e7\u00e3o do Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Viana do Castelo (IPVC), Centro de Investiga\u00e7\u00e3o e Inova\u00e7\u00e3o em Educa\u00e7\u00e3o (INED), 4901-908 Viana do Castelo, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"A3ES\u2014Ag\u00eancia de Avalia\u00e7\u00e3o e Acredita\u00e7\u00e3o do Ensino Superior (2025, May 20). 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