Greece Upgrades Tourism Schools of Higher Education

Greece has taken the first step for the upgrade of the country’s tourism schools of higher education – known as ASTE, with the signing of a joint ministerial decision, the Greek Tourism Ministry announced recently.

Signed by Education Minister Niki Kerameus and ougoing Deputy Minister of Tourism Manos Konsolas, the joint ministerial decision foresees that the ASTE educational programs will be extended from three to four years.

Furthermore, a new modern program of studies will be launched with the aim to cover the needs of the tourism market in view of the significant changes expected to take place in the future.

The Tourism Ministry’s Scientific Council for Ensuring Quality in Tourism Education has unanimously approved the new curriculum that introduces 28 new scientific specialties including technology, information and communication, digital marketing, foreign languages, organizational psychology, quality management, intercultural communication, tourism destination marketing, entrepreneurship and innovation in tourism, hospitality resources and revenue management.

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The curriculum also includes a three-month internship period for each of the first three years, that will take place during the summer months.

During the fourth year, the students will prepare their diploma thesis and present written work based on the internship of the last three years.

The joint ministerial decision also foresees changes in the supervision and evaluation of the internship programs.

According to Konsolas the establishment of ASTE’s new four-year educational program is an essential step towards the development of tourism education in Greece.

“A big step for the upgrade of ASTE has been made. More will follow, including the voting procedure for a bill that will change tourism education in Greece,” he said.