Online tourism education and Territorial development in Latin America: A case study from Colombia

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the impact of online higher education on territorial tourism development, focusing on the Tourism & Hotel Business Administration, Digital University Institution from Antioquia (IU Digital), Colombia's pioneering fully virtual public institution since 2018. It investigates the program's alignment with national and departmental tourism development plans, its role in professional training, and its measurable impact on local contexts. Design/methodology/approach: Employing a qualitative case study methodology, the research triangulates data from semi-structured interviews with institutional and government stakeholders, a graduate follow-up survey (n=29), and document analysis of policy frameworks and academic outputs. Additionally, the study incorporates analysis of visual materials and database metrics to assess the program's digital presence and engagement. Findings: The findings reveal that online higher education fosters territorial inclusion and provides relevant training for tourism professionals, particularly in underserved regions. However, there is a limited articulation between higher education curricula and tourism public policies at the national and international levels. Graduates have made tangible contributions to regional tourism development initiatives, especially in sustainability-focused territories. Visual and database analyses indicate a growing digital engagement and outreach of the program, highlighting areas for further enhancement. Originality/Significance: This study offers empirical evidence from Latin America on the role of digital higher education in regional tourism development. It provides actionable recommendations for improving curricular relevance, graduate engagement, and policy integration. The case presents a scalable model for connecting online education with Sustainable territorial development in tourism, contributing to the academic discourse on educational pertinence and digital engagement strategies

The European Union has funded this study, Next Generation EU, the Spanish Ministry of Universities, and the University of Girona, through the María Zambrano postdoctoral fellowship to Daissy Moya Sánchez. This research was funded by the Multidisciplinary Tourism Research Laboratory (GRHCS058) of the University of Girona. Reference Number: AGAUR