Training, practical experience, and a direct connection to the world of work: these are the pillars at the heart of the presentation organized by Higher technical institutes Academy Turismo Veneto and the Chamber of Commerce of Treviso – Belluno | Dolomiti.
During the event, the Academy’s training programs were presented, and the new educational spaces at the Chamber’s headquarters were inaugurated—spaces designed to support training that is increasingly focused on the skills demanded by the tourism market.
Statement by President Mario Pozza – Chamber of Commerce of Treviso – Belluno | Dolomiti- I was proud to hear, at the Unioncamere National Assembly in Rome that the number of Higher technical institutes students is growing significantly. This is not a coincidence, but the result of a concerted effort, built with method and vision at the national level. Chamber of Commerce of Treviso – Belluno | Dolomiti is an active part of this system: we believe in training as a lever for regional development, and that conviction translates into concrete actions. In recent years, we have invested in scholarships, the creation of new multimedia classrooms, modern and welcoming learning spaces, and areas for socializing and well-being, from gardens to common areas, because ambitious education cannot be separated from environments that support its quality and amplify its value. These spaces are modern, multifunctional, and designed to meet the needs of both learners and teachers. Tourism is not just an industry: it is the very essence of the Italian economy. Investing in those who will drive its growth, by welcoming them into spaces that already embody excellence, is the most tangible challenge we can overcome together.
Statement by President Massimiliano Schiavon – President of Higher technical institutes Academy Turismo Veneto – Today, Higher technical institutes Academy Turismo Veneto represents one of the most concrete levers our region can rely on to build the future. We are not just talking about training, but about a strategic choice: empowering young people to be agents of change, with solid skills that are immediately applicable in the workforce. In a context like that of Veneto’s tourism sector, which thrives on excellence but also on major transformations, investing in training means investing in the region’s resilience and growth. And we saw this clearly in the experience surrounding the journey toward Milan-Cortina 2026: the young people were not mere observers, but an active part of a complex system, made up of responsibility, relationships, and real work. – he adds – The Olympic season was not just a time of international visibility, but a turning point that left a deep mark. A legacy that is measured not only in events, but in the skills that remain, in the young people who are growing, and in the businesses that can count on new, qualified talent. This is where the real challenge lies: transforming an extraordinary opportunity into lasting value for our communities.
Higher technical institutes Training: Skills, Experience, and Employment
At the heart of the presentation is the “Dolomiti Tourism Marketing & Communication” Master’s program, which launched in October 2023 and is now a leading program in mountain tourism education. This is a higher-level technical training program, an alternative to university, designed in collaboration with businesses with the goal of training professionals who are immediately ready for the workforce.
The educational model is based on a practical and applied approach. Sixty percent of the program consists of classroom instruction, enriched by exercises, project work, simulations, and collaboration with companies to promote active learning. The remaining 40% is dedicated to internships, including opportunities abroad through the Erasmus+ program.
The program is part of the offerings of Higher technical institutes Academy Turismo Veneto, which currently has approximately 400 students enrolled and over a thousand graduates, with an overall employment rate exceeding 90% in fields consistent with the program of study.
Hands-On Experience: Experiencing Major Events
Behind every major event are people, responsibilities, collaboration, and emotions. This is something that second-year students were able to experience firsthand through a unique internship opportunity.
In the lead-up to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the students were involved in activities at the Cortina Dolomiti Lounge, in collaboration with the Cortina Foundation.
An immersive experience that saw them working within the following teams:
- hospitality, for managing guest reception
- sponsorship, for coordinating with partners and sponsors
- communications, for storytelling and promoting the event
A concrete opportunity to go “behind the scenes” of a major international event, understanding its dynamics, complexity, and responsibilities.
The Olympics and the Region: A Legacy That Continues
The Olympics provided a moment of global visibility for the region, but also served as a catalyst for skill development.
The Master’s program integrated activities related to major events into the Gen26 Education Program of the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, offering students the chance to actively participate in the Olympic journey.
Among the symbolic moments, the Olympic torch relay in Belluno served as a tangible sign of continuity between the event and the local area: an ideal passing of the baton between generations, in which our course participants were selected as torchbearers, actively representing young people’s involvement in shaping the future of local tourism.
Partnerships and the Local Ecosystem
The program was launched and developed thanks to the direct involvement of the local business community, with support from the Treviso-Belluno | Dolomites Chamber of Commerce (CCIAA), Confcommercio Belluno, and Confindustria Belluno Dolomiti, as well as contributions from the Dolomiti Belluno DMO. These organizations supported the initiative’s launch and continue to guide its evolution over time.
This solid local foundation is complemented by a network of strategic partnerships with leading organizations, including the Cortina Foundation and the Education Gen26 program of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, which enrich the program with highly professionalizing experiences and opportunities linked to major events.
Registration is now open
The Higher technical institutes programs are funded by the Ministry of Education and Merit as part of the PNRR – NextGenerationEU initiative and by the Veneto Region. Scholarships are available.
Selection interviews will be held on July 9, 10, 16, and 17 at the Foundation’s campus in Jesolo.
Information and applications: Registration – Higher technical institutes Academy Turismo Veneto
