Vila-seca is committed to project development centred on projects with roots in the territory, with the aim of driving forward its economic, social and cultural fabric through the Vila-seca Campus. In this regard, in 2006 the Town Council, along with Rovira i Virgili University and the Province of Tarragona Hospitality and Tourism Business Federation (FEHT), worked together to promote and create the Science and Technology Park for Tourism and Leisure (PCT), a groundbreaking centre working in research, development, innovation (R&D&i) and knowledge transfer in subjects related to tourism.
The PCT was founded with the aim of becoming a knowledge centre for the tourism sector with a national and international scope, as well as creating an ideal environment for tourist investment in the territory, which is why it can count on the municipality’s institutional support. Its R&D programmes work with implementing innovative technological applications by developing different projects whose objectives are to improve the sector’s competitiveness and manage tourist companies, while in parallel meeting the needs of all visitors.
At the beginning of 2019, the PCT was integrated with the technology centre Eurecat with the aim of stimulating and promoting the innovation and competitiveness of tourist destinations and companies. Operations are framed within the centre’s strategy to consolidate alliances with sector agents.
The Tourism and Geography Faculty of Rovira i Virgili University is located next to the PCT, within the Vila-seca Campus, and at which the official studies of Tourism and Geography, as well as regional planning, are taught. Both structures are part of the Campus of International Excellence Southern Catalonia (CEICS).