The acquisition of both transversal and specific competences cannot be achieved using conventional methodologies. New methodologies must be applied that promote the necessary competences for proper professional development. Interdisciplinary projects can be a suitable tool for competence-based learning. A priori, this might be complicated, as subjects are traditionally studied at the university level in isolated compartments, with a fragmented structure. Taking advantage of the creation of new degree programs in Mechanical Engineering and Electronic Engineering and Industrial Automation, in the 2010-11 academic year we decided to add an interdisciplinary project (IP) to our teaching methodology. The importance of this project lies in the fact that it requires the participation of all the courses in all the academic years in the degree program. The present article explains the methodology used in the interdisciplinary project and how it was implemented in the first year of the Mechanical Engineering and Electronic Engineering and Industrial Automation degree programs. Furthermore, an evaluation is conducted of all four years of the interdisciplinary project, revealing the main problems with its execution and how they have been addressedPeer Reviewe

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The good results of tourism in 2016 have raised optimism in the sector however, there is a series of threats that may have a negative significant impact on tourism if they are not paid the required attention. Also, avoiding seasonality and the risk of endangering small rural communities must be considered, as sustainability should be the main priority for all the stakeholders involved, especially this year when the whole world is celebrating the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to make an analysis on those threats that can seriously damage the tourist sector but also, on the opportunities that may derive from the dramatic changes our society is going through. This study has been based on four particular areas: health tourism and accessibility; culture, gastronomy and wine; education and technology; and mountain tourism. There are many opportunities the sector can benefit from but only if the parties involved are willing to innovate and become creative.

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a plunge of worldwide economies and consequently, new economic models must be evolved in order to come out of such an unfavourable situation. Innovation and creativity will be a must to reach success and it is here where young graduates can provide a fresh perspective. Certainly, the education system must also adapt to a new era that will result from this situation and although present curricula can become a constraint to achieve this goal in some cases, a drastic change in classroom methodology is a must. The objective of this paper is to describe that a learning process based on hand-on practice and autonomous learning can result in an upgrade of competences and skills. Therefore, a project carried out by Tourism undergraduates will be introduced in which students become the main characters of their own learning process. As a result, an increase in motivation has been revealed and also, in students’ maturity towards the learning experience.