Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Cultural Tourism in Ports

This professional diploma prepares you to lead the creation and management of innovative tourism experiences that showcase the cultural heritage of ports. You will learn to design attractive tourism products, interpret local heritage and foster the sustainable development of port communities, gaining the tools you need to turn ports into vibrant cultural destinations.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Cultural Tourism in Ports?

This professional diploma trains you to turn the history, heritage and living culture of port cities into sustainable tourism. You will learn how ports have evolved as places of trade and cultural exchange, how lighthouses, historic shipyards, museum ships, fish markets, coastal fortresses and maritime traditions are inventoried and interpreted, how port destinations are planned and visitor flows and carrying capacity managed, how guided tours, themed routes and participatory activities are designed for different audiences, how port destinations are branded, marketed and sold, including work with cruise lines and travel agencies, how maritime festivals and cultural events are organized, and how digital technologies and data improve interpretation and destination management.

What sets this professional diploma apart: a specific focus on port cities, where commercial activity, urban development and heritage meet; equal attention to tangible heritage and to intangible culture such as seafaring traditions, crafts, gastronomy and festivals; a balance between visitor experience, local communities and conservation; practical coverage of marketing, events and accessibility; an in-depth structure of eight modules; and a final project in which you design a complete cultural tourism plan for a port destination.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Port heritage: historical, architectural, industrial, archaeological and ethnographic value of ports.
  • Heritage interpretation: resource inventories, themed itineraries and content for different visitors.
  • Destination planning: visitor flows, carrying capacity and coordination between port, city and operators.
  • Visitor experiences: guided tours, storytelling, workshops, historical re-enactments and universal accessibility.
  • Marketing and events: destination branding, digital promotion, cruise partnerships and maritime festivals.
  • Final project: a complete cultural tourism plan for a port destination, with budget and indicators.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Cultural Tourism in Ports

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Fundamentals of cultural tourism in port cities

  • 1.1. Fundamental concepts of cultural tourism, maritime heritage, port heritage and experiential tourism applied to coastal destinations
  • 1.2. Historical evolution of ports as places of commercial, cultural, social and heritage exchange
  • 1.3. Types of tourist, historic, fishing, commercial and leisure ports with cultural potential
  • 1.4. The historical, architectural, industrial, archaeological and ethnographic value of port heritage
  • 1.5. The relationship between local identity, maritime culture, coastal traditions and sustainable tourism development
  • 1.6. Stakeholders involved: port authorities, public administrations, tour operators, museums, local communities and the private sector
  • 1.7. Building an integrated view of cultural tourism as a tool for enhancing port heritage and territorial development
  • 1.8. Trends in cultural tourism in European port cities
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Maritime heritage, cultural interpretation and tourism resources

  • 2.1. Identification and classification of cultural resources linked to maritime and port heritage
  • 2.2. Interpreting naval, industrial, archaeological, fishing and commercial heritage for domestic and international visitors
  • 2.3. Assessing lighthouses, historic shipyards, museum ships, fish markets, coastal fortresses and port buildings
  • 2.4. Designing cultural itineraries that integrate tangible and intangible heritage related to maritime activity
  • 2.5. Recovering and promoting seafaring traditions, festivities, gastronomy and sea-related crafts
  • 2.6. Producing interpretive content adapted to different visitor profiles and levels of knowledge
  • 2.7. Developing strategies to enhance maritime heritage as a sustainable tourism resource
  • 2.8. Inventory and assessment of the port's heritage resources
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Planning and management of port tourism destinations

  • 3.1. Strategic planning of cultural tourism in port cities and coastal destinations
  • 3.2. Integrating port activity, urban development, cultural heritage and the tourism offer
  • 3.3. Designing tourism products based on historical routes, maritime experiences and naval heritage
  • 3.4. Managing visitor flows, carrying capacity and the balance between conservation and public use
  • 3.5. Coordination between administrations, tour operators, local businesses and cultural organizations
  • 3.6. Assessing the economic, social and environmental impact of port cultural tourism
  • 3.7. Developing management models that support the competitiveness and sustainability of maritime destinations
  • 3.8. Managing visitor flows and carrying capacity
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Designing cultural experiences and visitor services

  • 4.1. Principles of designing tourism experiences centered on maritime and port heritage
  • 4.2. Organizing guided tours, themed routes and interpretive activities in port areas
  • 4.3. Visitor services from an intercultural, inclusive and quality-oriented perspective
  • 4.4. Communication techniques, historical storytelling and outreach on maritime heritage
  • 4.5. Designing participatory activities, historical re-enactments, workshops and cultural events
  • 4.6. Universal accessibility and adapting experiences to different audience profiles
  • 4.7. Developing programs that increase visitor satisfaction and strengthen the destination's identity
  • 4.8. Universal accessibility in cultural experiences
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Marketing, promotion and sales of port cultural tourism

  • 5.1. Positioning strategies for maritime destinations and port cities in domestic and international markets
  • 5.2. Place branding applied to historic ports, maritime routes and coastal heritage
  • 5.3. Digital marketing, social media and promotion of tourism products related to maritime heritage
  • 5.4. Designing communication campaigns aimed at different segments of cultural tourists
  • 5.5. Selling routes, tour packages, heritage experiences and cultural activities
  • 5.6. Online reputation management and analysis of visitor behavior using digital tools
  • 5.7. Developing commercial strategies that increase the visibility and competitiveness of the port destination
  • 5.8. Working with cruise lines and travel agencies
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Organizing cultural events and revitalising the port environment

  • 6.1. Planning maritime festivals, boat shows, historical re-enactments and traditional celebrations
  • 6.2. Organizing exhibitions, conferences, cultural days and educational activities linked to maritime heritage
  • 6.3. Logistical coordination, permits, safety and operational management of events in port areas
  • 6.4. Involving artists, cultural associations, museums, academic institutions and local communities in cultural projects
  • 6.5. Assessing the tourism, economic and social impact of maritime cultural events
  • 6.6. Strategies to reduce seasonality through continuous cultural programming
  • 6.7. Developing cultural projects that strengthen maritime identity and community participation
  • 6.8. Maritime festivals and historical re-enactments
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Innovation, sustainability and digital transformation of port tourism

  • 7.1. Principles of sustainability applied to cultural tourism in ports and coastal destinations
  • 7.2. Responsible management of cultural heritage in the face of tourism growth and urban pressure
  • 7.3. Applying digital technologies, augmented reality and virtual reality to the interpretation of maritime heritage
  • 7.4. Developing mobile apps, interactive tours and digital platforms for visitors
  • 7.5. Using artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve the visitor experience and destination management
  • 7.6. Assessing indicators of sustainability, satisfaction, conservation and tourism competitiveness
  • 7.7. Developing innovative strategies that integrate heritage, technology and sustainable tourism in port environments
  • 7.8. Measuring the economic and social impact of cultural tourism
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Final Project

  • 8.1. Defining the problem and the port destination covered by the project
  • 8.2. Diagnosing the heritage and the available cultural resources
  • 8.3. Designing cultural products, routes and experiences
  • 8.4. Marketing, sales and partnership plan with local stakeholders
  • 8.5. Budget, monitoring indicators and sustainability criteria
  • 8.6. Assessing the feasibility of the proposed project
  • 8.7. Final review and conclusions of the plan
  • 8.8. Writing the report and presenting the project
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Cultural Tourism in Ports

It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Cultural Tourism in Ports

01Develop sustainable management strategies for port cultural heritage, applying preventive conservation plans that involve the local community and optimize resources to minimize environmental impact and ensure long-term viability.
02Design innovative tourism experiences that enhance the cultural identity of ports, applying co-creation methods with local port communities and visitors that prioritize authenticity and cultural sustainability.
03Diversify the tourism offer by enhancing the intangible heritage of ports, designing themed routes that combine historical narratives, traditional crafts, local gastronomy and popular celebrations.
04Promote public-private collaboration for the conservation and promotion of cultural tourism in ports, setting up joint working groups to develop sustainable tourism management plans and mixed funding models.
05Manage and promote cultural tourism in port environments, designing and implementing specific cultural marketing plans that attract visitors and generate economic impact in the port area.
06Promote research into and outreach on maritime and port cultural heritage, cataloguing, digitising and making available historical documents, photographs and plans related to maritime and port activity.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Cultural Tourism in Ports

01Cultural tourism product manager for cruisesdesign and sale of onboard and shore experiences.
02Specialist guide for cruise passengersleading and engaging groups on cultural visits in port destinations.
03Tourist information officer in port tourism officesvisitor services and promotion of the cultural offer.
04Cultural events organizer in portsplanning of festivals, exhibitions and other activities for cruise passengers and visitors.
05Cultural tourism consultant for portsadvice to companies and administrations on creating and managing cultural tourism products.
06Cultural heritage manager in port environmentsconservation, promotion and outreach of the historical and cultural heritage of ports.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Cultural Tourism in Ports

The management and development of tourism in port areas, highlighting the cultural, historical and social heritage of these spaces and turning it into sustainable visitor experiences.

Tourism, in close connection with culture and heritage management, port-city development and the events sector.

Yes. Alongside lighthouses, shipyards, museum ships and port buildings, you study seafaring traditions, festivities, gastronomy and sea-related crafts and how to include them in routes and experiences.

Yes. The marketing module includes working with cruise lines and travel agencies, and the program covers managing visitor flows and carrying capacity, which are key in cruise ports.

Yes. You study augmented and virtual reality for interpretation, mobile apps and interactive tours, and the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics in destination management.

You choose a port destination, diagnose its heritage and cultural resources and design products, routes and experiences with a marketing plan, budget, monitoring indicators, sustainability criteria and feasibility assessment.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with multimedia content, collaborative activities, recorded live sessions and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The professional diploma comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of 100 hours each and ends with a final project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at tourism professionals, cultural and heritage managers, tour guides and tour operators, tourism and local economic development officers in port cities, and students of tourism, art history or related fields; a degree in tourism, art history, humanities or a related field, or professional experience in the tourism, cultural or port sector, is recommended, and knowledge of other languages is an advantage.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and software compatible with the learning platform.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $400 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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