Canary Islands authorize the first Tourism Degree at the Technological University

The Government of the Canary Islands has authorized the implementation of the teachings leading to the official degree of Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism by the Technological University of the Canary Islands, through Decree 135/2026, of September 4, published in the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands no. 181, on September 9, 2026. The decision, adopted upon the proposal of the Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture, expands the private university offering of the islands and opens a new training pathway for the Canarian tourism sector.

The decree, signed by the President of the Government, Fernando Clavijo Batlle, is part of the quality assurance procedure for university teachings regulated by Royal Decree 822/2021, of September 28, and by Organic Law 2/2023, of March 22, of the University System. The implementation and suppression of official degrees are agreed upon by decree of the Government of the Canary Islands in accordance with Law 11/2003, of April 4, on Social Councils and Coordination of the University System of the Canary Islands.

A complete verification procedure

The authorization comes after a long administrative process involving several evaluation and control bodies. The file was processed in accordance with Decree 83/2026, of May 4, which regulates the procedure for the implementation of official degrees in the autonomous community.

• Resolution no. 35/2025, of May 19, from the General Directorate of Planning, Innovation and University Quality reported favorably on the necessity and academic and social viability of the degree.
• The Canarian Agency for University Quality and Educational Evaluation (ACCUEE) issued the final favorable verification report on the quality of the curriculum on May 27, 2026.
• The Council of Universities of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities issued the positive verification resolution of the plan on June 18, 2026.
• The Governing Council of the Technological University of the Canary Islands approved the implementation proposal on June 18, 2026.
• The University Council of the Canary Islands was informed of the proposal on July 22, 2026.

No cost to the Administration

The university formally requested authorization on June 22, 2026, and on July 1, the ACCUEE prepared the annex regarding compliance with measures related to the promotion of a second language and the employability of the Degree. According to the case documentation, the implementation of these teachings does not entail any cost for the Administration of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands.

The decree also provides that students who have begun studies under previous university regulations may access the new programs, subject to admission by the university, in accordance with Royal Decree 822/2021 and the center’s own regulations.

Relevance for the tourism sector

The authorization of the first Degree in Tourism at the Technological University of the Canary Islands reinforces private university education in an archipelago whose economy depends largely on tourism. The new degree, with official validity throughout the State, expands the options for future students and contributes to the qualification of professionals in the islands’ main productive sector.

Source: Official Gazette of the Canary Islands, no. 181, September 9, 2026, III. Other Resolutions, page 34237 (official reference: Decree 135/2026, of September 4).