Sales Management in the Cruise Industry
Location: Taranto (TA)
Academic Biennium: 2025–2027
National Figure: 9.1.4 Higher Technician for the management of guest support services
Program Overview
The highly specialized Course in Sales Management in the Cruise Industry aims to train a professional figure capable of managing relationships with other stakeholders involved in tourism services, both on board and on land.
Context
The context of the Course in Sales Management in the Cruise Industry is framed within the Blue Economy, a strategic and rapidly growing sector of tourism. In this framework, Puglia, and the city of Taranto in particular, play an increasingly central role. Taranto was awarded Best Mediterranean Tourist Destination in 2022 and is undergoing a revitalization of its port area. This course, developed in collaboration with Costa Crociere, prepares professionals with a systemic vision of cruise hospitality, both on board and on shore.
Professional Profile
The professional profile emerging from the Course in Sales Management in the Cruise Industry is an expert in hospitality on cruise ships, equipped with managerial, digital, and interpersonal skills. In the second year, participants can specialize in one of two key roles: Future Cruise Consultant or Tour Expert. The profile operates both on board and on land, integrating technology and automation to deliver advanced tourism experiences. They are able to enhance territories in the context of the Blue Economy and can evolve into a voyage designer, creating tailor-made trips.
What You Will Learn
During the Course in Sales Management in the Cruise Industry, you will learn how to:
- Recognize and manage company procedures related to hospitality on cruise ships
- Participate in the production, management, and control of goods and services
- Work in teams and build professional networks
- Use new digital technologies to communicate the tourism offer
What You Will Study
In the in Course in Sales Management in the Cruise Industry, you will study:
- Provision of tourist information, assistance, and consulting services
- Design of tourism packages
- Management of bookings and administrative procedures for selling travel tickets, customized trips, and package tours
- Relationship management with clients, suppliers, and local stakeholders
Career opportunities after the Course in Sales Management in the Cruise Industry include roles in:
- The cruise industry
- Hospitality structures, managing reception services and supporting guest services
- Public and private organizations offering recreational boating and marine activities
- Tour operators, travel agencies, tourism organizations, and consortia promoting and selling tourism offers
The course lasts 1800 hours in total, distributed over two academic years as follows:
- 1080 hours dedicated to classroom laboratory teaching, laboratory case studies and/or work placements, seminars, educational and study visits, project work;
- 720 hours of internship activities in work contexts
The daily schedule will be determined based on the operational program and may vary from 5 to 8 hours. Attendance is mandatory for at least 80% of training activities, under penalty of exclusion from the final exam which will be held in accordance with the procedures established by the Ministry of Education and Merit.
Upon completion of the program, and after passing the final exams and evaluations, participants will be awarded the Specialization Diploma in Applied Technologies – EQF Level 5 (European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning).
The diploma is issued by the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit together with the Europass Diploma Supplement. It is valid throughout the national territory and qualifies the holder to participate in public competitions.
Where applicable, and depending on the course specialization, students will acquire the skills to take exams for the following certifications:
- Certifications for the use of sector-specific software
- English and second foreign language certifications according to CEFR levels
- Occupational health and safety certifications
- HACCP certification
- Advanced EIPASS certification, upon passing the exam (ITS acts as the certifying body)
The ITS path is also valid for ITP (Technical and Practical Teacher) competitions starting from 2025 and for access to positions in Public Administration.
