UNAB Tourism Programs Earn Prestigious TedQual Certification from UN Tourism

Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB) has become the first university in Chile to certify its tourism programs through Tourism Education Quality (TedQual), an international certification system developed by UN Tourism that recognizes academic quality in tourism education.

The certified programs are Ecotourism Administration in the School of Life Sciences, and Tourism and Hospitality Engineering and International Hotel Management Engineering in the School of Economics and Business. All three programs received a two-year certification, out of a maximum possible term of four years.

To earn this certification, programs are evaluated on the effectiveness of their educational model and the extent to which they meet the needs of the tourism sector, civil society, and students.

TedQual assesses programs across six areas: engagement with employers and stakeholders, the student experience, curriculum and teaching model, faculty, program management and governance, and the integration of the principles of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.

“This international certification not only recognizes the quality of our tourism programs — it confirms that UNAB has established a culture of quality assurance capable of meeting global standards, demonstrating meaningful educational outcomes, and ensuring that our students receive an internationally recognized education aligned with the current and future challenges of the tourism sector. It also serves as a starting point for continuing to strengthen continuous improvement and positioning these programs at even higher levels of international excellence,” said Carmen Gloria Jiménez, Dean of Quality Assurance at UNAB.

A Mark of Quality and Distinction for Students

For Juan Pablo Torres, Dean of the School of Economics and Business, the certification represents a milestone for UNAB and reinforces the university’s goal of “developing a School of Tourism and Hospitality that makes a meaningful contribution to Chile and the region.”

The Dean also emphasized that receiving this certification “reflects a robust quality assurance model and recognizes years of sustained work to provide an education that is excellent, relevant, and aligned with the current and future needs of the tourism industry.”

According to Torres, certifying these programs assures students that they are receiving an internationally recognized education aligned with the quality standards of one of the world’s leading tourism organizations.

Along the same lines, Felipe Simón, Dean of the School of Life Sciences at UNAB, noted that “earning this certification provides objective confirmation of the academic quality of our programs. Students who choose to study Ecotourism Administration at UNAB can be confident that international organizations have validated the quality of both our education and our faculty.”

He added that “graduating from a program certified by an international organization gives our students a competitive advantage, positioning them more strongly than other graduates entering the same professional field.”

Recognition of a Longstanding Commitment

Pablo Rebolledo, Director of the School of Environmental Sciences and Sustainability at UNAB, said the recognition strengthens the program’s standing both nationally and internationally.

“The Ecotourism Administration program will celebrate its 25th anniversary soon, and this certification represents the culmination of years of dedication and hard work, as well as recognition of the quality of the education we have built.”

He added:

“We are part of a university that ranks among the best universities in Chile and is recognized in leading international rankings. That same commitment is reflected in our program, which has consistently distinguished itself through its specialization in nature-based tourism, rural tourism, national parks, protected areas, and, above all, its close collaboration with local communities.”

Connection to a Global Network

For Mary-Ann Cooper, Director of the School of Tourism and Hospitality at UNAB, the certification confirms from an academic quality perspective that the programs are aligned with the international standards promoted by the world’s leading tourism organization.

“Receiving this certification confirms that we are moving in the right direction by preparing professionals with the skills needed for an industry that is constantly evolving.”

She also noted that the certification strengthens UNAB’s connection to a global network of knowledge and collaboration, providing access to valuable information and creating new opportunities for students, faculty, and the tourism industry.

“Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of this process has been the opportunity for self-assessment and continuous improvement that this type of certification requires. Certification processes encourage us to step back from our daily routines and ask ourselves why we do what we do, how we do it, and how we can do it even better.”

Daniela Guarda, Director of the Tourism and Hospitality Engineering program at UNAB’s Viña del Mar Campus, also emphasized the significance of the certification.

“It represents an education built on international standards, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and global trends, strengthening our students’ career opportunities.”

She added:

“It also motivates us to pursue continuous improvement and to keep contributing to the development of the skilled professionals the tourism sector needs.”