The UB Chair in Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy CETT Celebrates 10 Years
The UB-CETT Chair leads and promotes research and knowledge transfer in the fields of tourism, hospitality and gastronomy.
The UB-CETT Chair, a joint initiative of CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy, the University of Barcelona and the CETT Fundació, celebrates its tenth anniversary: ten years of commitment to the tourism, hospitality and gastronomy sectors, fostering synergies between the public, private and academic spheres.
Created in 2015 and operational since the following year, it is pioneering in both its thematic focus and structure. Its main objective is to lead and promote research and knowledge transfer in the fields of tourism, hospitality and gastronomy through collaboration between the public sector, the private sector and academia. Since its creation, it has counted on the collaboration of Barcelona City Council.
In terms of research activities, the Chair has led several projects aligned with the challenges of urban tourism, such as the development of tourism sustainability indicators for the Barcelona destination; the launch and promotion of a network of educating cities and responsible tourism; the conceptualization of creative industries as drivers of tourism; and the analysis of participatory governance mechanisms for tourism management.
After ten years of research, knowledge transfer and dissemination, the UB-CETT Chair looks to the future with the determination to continue being an academic instrument that contributes to rethinking tourism from a knowledge- and evidence-based perspective, connecting the university, the sector and public policies to improve governance, competitiveness and sustainability in tourism.
10 Years of the UB-CETT Chair
To commemorate the anniversary, an event was held at the CETT Campus facilities, attended, among others, by the Rector Magnificus of the University of Barcelona, Joan Guàrdia; Joan Tugores, Director of the Chair from 2015 to 2024; and Dr. Xavier Triadó, the current Director of the Chair.
Representing Barcelona City Council was Judit Romera, Director of Tourism Services. CETT was represented by Dr. Maria Abellanet, President of the Group; Elisabet Ferrer, General Manager; and several individuals involved in the Chair, including Dr. Eugeni Osácar, Academic Director, and Núria Guitart, Coordinator.
Joan Guàrdia, Rector of the University of Barcelona, stated, “This anniversary goes far beyond the symbolism of ten years. It demonstrates the steadfast commitment of the University of Barcelona to the society to which it belongs. The public service that defines the University’s mission entails embracing the profound changes and transformations taking place in the labor market and in our society and responding to them. This chair responds with rigor and responsibility to the challenges posed by the economic and professional environment. It is a source of pride for the University of Barcelona to contribute to the advancement of such a fundamental sector as tourism and hospitality through this chair. Here’s to many more years!”
Dr. Eugeni Osácar, Academic Director of the UB-CETT Chair, declared, “The UB-CETT Chair is and will continue to be an ideal instrument for anticipating and responding to the major challenges of tourism, a sector undergoing continuous and necessary transformation.”
For his part, José Antonio Donaire, Commissioner for Sustainable Tourism Management at Barcelona City Council, highlighted that “the new tourism model requires innovation and knowledge, which are essential ingredients for the transformation of the sector. The Chair is an indispensable ally in the creation of a new framework based on sustainability and research.”
