Abstract:

MSc Degree on Management of Sustainable and Ecological Tourism (MEST) is focused in tourism alternatives and natural heritage preservation, trying to combine conservation of nature with socioeconomic development of many local communities. Thus, it establishes a link between local people, tourists and nature. MEST is integrated in a Erasmus programme in the field of higher education that aims to enhance the quality of European higher education -Lifelong Learning Programme- and funded by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). It was proposed as a training programme (Master Degree level), designing and delivering by a consortium of higher education institutions from several European countries (Spain, Greece, Germany, UK, Estonia, Romania, and Bosnia & Herzegovina). The Technical University of Madrid (UPM), the promoter of this project, has identified a clear lack of educational provision regarding sustainable and ecological tourism, in educational and non- educational settings. On this matter, it is relevance to lifelong learning, do not limit to assessing students’ curricular and cross-curricular competences but also asks them to report on their own motivation to learn, beliefs about themselves and learning strategies; based on this, it is important to define the key competences involved. Defining such competencies can improve assessments of how well prepared students are, as well as identify overarching goals for education systems and lifelong learning. To identify the key competences for this Master, surveys were conducted in partners’ countries in order to collect answers from all the beneficiaries and stakeholders implicated in sustainable and ecological tourism subject, involving university lecturers, practitioners, local authorities and natural disaster management authorities. According to the results, the “Ability to apply knowledge to practice”, “Ability to work in a team” and “Planning and management abilities” are the most important key competences for the respondents. This work has been funded by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), as an Erasmus Multilateral Project through project number 539517-LLP- 1-2013-1-ES-ERASMUS-EKA.

Keywords:

Ecological Tourism, Lifelong Learning, Virtual Learning, Sustainable, Erasmus Program, Learning Outcomes.