Diploma in Cultural Tourism in Ports
Why this certificate program?
The Diploma in Cultural Tourism in Ports
This program prepares you to lead the creation and management of innovative tourism experiences that highlight port cultural heritage. You will learn to design attractive tourism products, to interpret local heritage, and to promote the sustainable development of port communities. This program will provide you with the necessary tools to transform ports into vibrant cultural destinations.
Differential Advantages
- Practical Approach: Development of real projects and successful case studies.
- Networking: Interaction with experts in the port tourism and cultural sector.
- Management Tools: Master the techniques of marketing, promotion, and financing for tourism projects.
- Comprehensive Vision: Understand the importance of sustainability, accessibility, and inclusion in cultural tourism.
- Flexibility: Online format with multimedia content and collaborative activities.
- Modality: Online
- Level: Diplomado
- Hours: 800 H
- Start date: 01-10-2026
Availability: 1 in stock
Who is it aimed at?
- Tourism professionals seeking to specialize in the cultural offerings of port destinations.
- Cultural and heritage managers interested in designing innovative tourism experiences in port environments.
- Tour guides and tour operators wishing to expand their knowledge of maritime and port cultural heritage.
- Tourism and local economic development officials seeking to promote cultural tourism in their port cities.
- Students of tourism, art history, and related fields seeking specialized training in the field of cultural tourism in ports.
Flexibility and applicability:
Designed for active professionals: flexible online format, practical content and applicable to real projects.
Objectives and competencies

Develop sustainable management strategies for port cultural heritage:
“Implement preventative conservation plans, involving the local community and optimizing the use of resources to minimize environmental impact and ensure long-term viability.”

Design innovative tourism experiences that value the port's cultural identity:
Research and apply **co-creation** methodologies with local port communities and visitors, prioritizing authenticity and cultural sustainability.

Promote the diversification of the tourism offer by enhancing the value of the port's intangible heritage:
“Design themed tourist routes that integrate historical narratives, traditional trades, local gastronomy, and popular celebrations of the port environment.”

Promote public-private collaboration for the conservation and promotion of cultural tourism in ports:
“Establish joint working groups to develop sustainable tourism management plans and mixed financing models.”

To train professionals to manage and promote cultural tourism in port environments:
“Design and implement specific cultural marketing plans to attract visitors and generate economic impact in the port area.”

Promote research and dissemination of maritime-port cultural heritage:
To catalog, digitize and make publicly available historical documents, photographs and plans related to maritime-port activity.
Curriculum - Modules
- Comprehensive Maritime Incident Management: protocols, roles, and chain of command for coordinated response
- Operational Planning and Execution: briefing, routes, weather windows, and go/no-go criteria
- Rapid Risk Assessment: criticality matrix, scene control, and decision-making under pressure
- Operational Communication: VHF/GMDSS, standardized reports, and inter-agency liaison
- Tactical Mobility and Safe Boarding: RHIB maneuvers, approach, mooring, and recovery
- Equipment and Technologies: PPE, signaling, satellite tracking, and field data logging
- Immediate Care of the Affected: primary assessment, hypothermia, trauma, and stabilization for evacuation
- Adverse Environmental Conditions: swell, Visibility, flows, and operational mitigation
Simulation and training: critical scenarios, use of VR/AR, and exercises with performance metrics
Documentation and continuous improvement: lessons learned, indicators (MTTA/MTTR), and SOP updates
- Introduction to Port Heritage: Definition, Typologies, and Valorization.
- History of Ports: Evolution, Social and Economic Impact, and Intangible Heritage.
- Legislation and Regulations: Heritage Protection, International Conventions, and Local Regulations.
- Inventory and Cataloging of Port Heritage: Methodologies and Tools.
- Designing Tourist Experiences: Market Segmentation, Product Creation, and Storytelling.
- Interpreting Heritage: Communication Techniques, Signage, and Tourist Guides.
- Marketing and Promotion of Port Tourist Experiences: Distribution Channels, Branding, and Social Media.
- Quality and Sustainability Management in Port Tourism: Indicators and Best Practices.
- Success Stories: Analysis of Innovative Projects and profitable.
- Financing and viability of port tourism projects: sources of financing, business models and economic evaluation.
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- Introduction to Port Heritage: Types, Values, and Conservation Challenges.
- History of Ports: Evolution, Functions, and Their Impact on Society.
- Legislation and Policies: Protection of Port Heritage at the Local, National, and International Levels.
- Inventory and Cataloging of Heritage: Methodologies and Tools.
- Design of Tourism Experiences: Creation of Attractive and Sustainable Tourism Products.
- Marketing and Promotion of Port Tourism: Strategies for Attracting Visitors.
- Heritage Interpretation: Techniques for Communicating the Value of Heritage.
- Sustainability Management: Minimizing Environmental Impact and Maximizing Social Benefit.
- Accessibility and Universal Design: Adapting Heritage for All Audiences.
- Evaluation and Continuous improvement: Success indicators and visitor feedback.
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- Introduction to Port Heritage: Definition, Types, and Valuation
- History and Evolution of Ports: From Origins to the Present Day
- Legislation and Regulations: Protection of Port Heritage and its Environment
- Inventory and Cataloging of Port Heritage: Methodologies and Tools
- Sustainable Heritage Management: Conservation, Restoration, and Reuse
- Design of Tourist Experiences: Segmentation, Product, and Marketing
- Tourism Marketing in Port Environments: Promotion, Branding, and Communication
- Interpretation of Heritage for Tourism: Techniques and Educational Resources
- Tourism Impact Assessment: Economic, Social, and Environmental
Success Stories and Best Practices: Management and Tourism in Historic Ports
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- Introduction to Port Heritage: Types, Valuation, and Conservation
- History and Evolution of Ports: From Antiquity to the Present Day
- Legal and Regulatory Framework of Port Heritage: Protection and Management
- Design and Planning of Tourist Routes in Port Environments
- Heritage Interpretation: Techniques and Tools for Tour Guides
- Creation of Innovative Tourist Experiences: Gamification, Augmented Reality
- Tourism Marketing in Port Environments: Segmentation, Promotion, and Distribution
- Sustainability Management in Port Tourism: Environmental and Social Impact
- Evaluation Quality and Customer Satisfaction in Port Tourism Experiences
Success Stories and Best Practices in Port Heritage and Tourism Management
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- System Architecture and Components: Structural design, materials, and subsystems (mechanical, electrical, electronic, and fluid) with selection and assembly criteria for marine environments
- Fundamentals and Principles of Operation: Physical and engineering foundations (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, control, and materials) that explain performance and operating limits
- Safety and Environmental (SHE): Risk analysis, PPE, LOTO, hazardous atmospheres, spill and waste management, and emergency response plans
- Applicable Regulations and Standards: IMO/ISO/IEC requirements and local regulations;
- Conformance criteria, certification, and best practices for operation and maintenance
- Inspection, testing, and diagnostics: Visual/dimensional inspection, functional testing, data analysis, and predictive techniques (vibration, thermography, fluid analysis) to identify root causes
- Preventive and predictive maintenance: Hourly/cycle/seasonal plans, lubrication, adjustments, calibrations, consumable replacement, post-service verification, and operational reliability
- Instrumentation, tools, and metrology: Measuring and testing equipment, diagnostic software, calibration and traceability; selection criteria, safe use, and storage
- Onboard integration and interfaces: Mechanical, electrical, fluid, and data compatibility; Sealing and watertightness, EMC/EMI, corrosion protection, and interoperability testing.
Quality, acceptance testing, and commissioning: process and materials control, FAT/SAT, bench and sea trials, go/no-go criteria, and evidence documentation.
Technical documentation and integrated practice: logs, checklists, reports, and a complete case study (safety → diagnosis → intervention → verification → report) applicable to any system.
- Introduction to Port Tourism: Definition, Evolution, and Importance.
- Port Heritage: Types, Identification, Enhancement, and Conservation.
- Sustainable Management: Management Models, Strategic Planning, and Local Participation.
- Local Development and Tourism: Economic, Social, and Environmental Impacts.
- Port Infrastructure: Design, Adaptation, and Accessibility for Tourism.
- Tourist Experiences: Cruises, Nautical Activities, Gastronomy, and Culture.
- Marketing and Promotion: Communication Strategies, Market Segmentation, and Branding.
- Legislation and Regulations: Legal Framework for Port Tourism and Heritage Protection.
- Case Studies: Examples of Best Practices and Successful Port Tourism Destinations.
- Future trends: Innovation, digitalization, and sustainability in port tourism.
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Career opportunities
- Cultural Tourism Product Manager on Cruise Ships: Design and marketing of onboard and onshore tourism experiences.
- Cruise Ship Tour Guide: Accompanying and facilitating groups on cultural visits to port destinations.
- Cultural Activities Coordinator on Cruise Ships: Organizing leisure and entertainment activities related to local culture.
- Tourist Information Officer in Port Tourist Offices: Visitor services, promotion of cultural offerings, and management of tourist information.
- Cultural Event Organizer in Ports: Planning and development of festivals, exhibitions, and other cultural activities for cruise passengers and visitors.
- Tourism Consultant specializing in Cultural Tourism in Ports: Advising companies and government agencies on the creation and management of cultural tourism products.
- Cultural Heritage Manager in Environments Port workers: conservation, promotion, and dissemination of the historical and cultural heritage of ports.
Researcher in cultural tourism in ports: trend analysis, market research, and development of new tourism products.
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Admission requirements

Academic/professional profile:
Degree/Bachelor's degree in Nautical Science/Maritime Transport, Naval/Marine Engineering, or a related field; or proven professional experience in bridge/operations.

Language proficiency:
Recommended functional maritime English (SMCP) for simulations and technical materials.

Documentation:
Updated resume, copy of degree or seaman's book, ID card/passport, letter of motivation.

Technical requirements (for online):
Equipment with camera/microphone, stable connection, ≥ 24” monitor recommended for ECDIS/Radar-ARPA.
Admission process and dates

1. Online
application
(form + documents).

2. Academic review and interview
(profile/objectives/schedule compatibility).

3. Admission decision
(+ scholarship proposal if applicable).

4. Reservation of place
(deposit) and registration.

5. Induction
(access to campus, calendars, simulator guides).
Scholarships and grants
- Discover Heritage: Learn to identify and value cultural heritage in port environments.
- Designing Tourism Experiences: Master the techniques to create unique and memorable tourism experiences in ports with cultural value.
- Tourism Management and Marketing: Acquire the necessary skills to manage and promote cultural tourism destinations in ports.
- Sustainability and Local Development: Learn best practices for sustainable cultural tourism that benefits local communities.
- International Success Stories: Analyze inspiring examples of cultural tourism in ports around the world.
Testimonials
The Diploma in Cultural Tourism in Ports exceeded my expectations. I gained in-depth knowledge of cultural heritage management in port areas, developing practical skills to design innovative and sustainable tourism experiences. Thanks to this training, I secured a position as a project coordinator at a leading institution dedicated to promoting cultural tourism in my city, directly applying the knowledge I acquired and contributing to the development of my community.
The Diploma in Maritime Cultural Heritage provided me with the necessary theoretical and practical tools to develop a research project on traditional shipbuilding in my region. I was able to identify, document, and analyze ancestral techniques that were at risk of disappearing, contributing to their preservation and dissemination through an academic publication and a photographic exhibition that had a significant impact on the community.
The Diploma in Cultural Tourism in Ports provided me with the necessary tools to develop a community tourism project that has revitalized the port area of my city. Thanks to the knowledge I gained about heritage, cultural management, and sustainable development, I was able to integrate the local community into the tourism offerings, generating new sources of employment and promoting the preservation of our traditions. Today, the port is an attractive and culturally enriching destination, exceeding our initial expectations.
This diploma program provided me with the necessary tools to develop an accessible and inclusive cultural tourism project in the port of Valparaíso, combining the area’s rich history with innovative experiences for people with reduced mobility. The project was awarded for its social impact and sustainability, demonstrating the effectiveness of the training I received.
Frequently asked questions
The main focus is on the management and development of tourism in port areas, highlighting the importance of the cultural, historical and social heritage of these spaces.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna University + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
- Introduction to Cultural Tourism and its Sustainability
- History of Ports: Evolution and its Cultural Impact
- Maritime Heritage: Definition, Typologies, and Valorization
- Port Tourism: Cruises, Marinas, and Nautical Activities
- Management of Heritage Sites in Port Environments
- Heritage Interpretation for Sustainable Tourism
- Legislation and Policies for the Protection of Cultural Heritage
- Local Communities: Participation in and Benefits of Tourism
- Marketing and Promotion of Port Cultural Tourism
- Sustainability Indicators and Best Practices in Management
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Request information
Complete the Application Form.
Attach your CV/degree certificate (if you have it to hand).
Indicate your preferred cohort (January/May/September) and whether you would like the hybrid option with simulator sessions.
An academic advisor will contact you within 24–48 hours to guide you through the admission process, scholarships, and compatibility with your professional schedule.
Faculty
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor