National Reference Center for Hospitality in Mijas: what it means for businesses and training in 2026

Key data

The Spanish hospitality sector has had a first-class training reference since August 28, 2026. The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports and the Andalusian Regional Government have formalized the agreement that establishes the Andalusian Center for Comprehensive Training in Leisure Industries in Mijas as a National Reference Center (CRN) in the professional areas of Accommodation, Catering and Gambling, within the Hospitality and Tourism professional family.

The Resolution of August 26, 2026, published in the Official State Gazette on the same day it entered into force, provides legal coverage for this inter-administrative collaboration. The designation as CRN had already been granted by the Royal Decree 127/2022; this agreement now regulates the operational framework for the center to develop its function of innovation and experimentation in vocational training for the sector.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement between the Ministry and the Andalusian Regional Government establishes the conditions under which the Mijas center operates as a CRN. The key elements are:

• Professional areas covered: Accommodation, Catering and Gambling, all within the Hospitality and Tourism professional family.
• Ownership: The center belongs to the Andalusian Employment Service, which assumes operational management.
• Center obligations: It must have adequate facilities and develop Annual and Multi-year Work Plans that set the training roadmap.
• Objective: To serve as a reference for innovation and experimentation in vocational training for the hospitality sector at the national level.
• Economic content: The agreement has no direct economic content and is therefore not subject to budget stability legislation.

Economic and operational impact

This agreement does not generate direct costs for companies nor does it modify fees, contributions or prices. Its impact is of a strategic and operational nature: it defines where the qualification standards for the Spanish hospitality sector will be set.

For companies in the sector, the practical consequences are:

• Qualification reference: Titles and certificates linked to this CRN will have greater recognition and validity at the national level, which facilitates the hiring of well-trained profiles.
• Access to cutting-edge training: Andalusian and national companies will be able to direct their continuous training towards the standards set by this center.
• Sector innovation: The center's Annual and Multi-year Work Plans will define the training trends of the sector, which can anticipate changes in demanded professional profiles.
• No direct budgetary impact: As it has no economic content, there is no impact on fees, subsidies or payment obligations for private companies derived from this agreement.

Who does it affect?

• Hotel and tourist accommodation companies seeking to qualify their workforce with nationally recognized training.
• Restaurants, restaurant chains and catering companies interested in profiles with reference certification.
• Casinos, gaming rooms and gambling operators, an area specifically covered by this CRN.
• Vocational Training Centers in the hospitality sector that want to align with national standards or collaborate with the CRN.
• Workers and unemployed people in the hospitality sector in Andalusia and throughout Spain seeking high-level recognized training.
• HR departments of large hotel and restaurant groups that design internal training plans.

Practical example

A hotel chain with establishments on the Costa del Sol needs to train its reception and accommodation team with nationally recognized certification. Until now, it had to evaluate different vocational training centers without a clear unified quality reference.

With the Mijas CRN operational and its Annual Work Plans published, the HR department can direct its training plan towards the standards set by this center, knowing that the qualification obtained has the backing of the Ministry of Education and the Andalusian Regional Government. Furthermore, if the center collaborates with companies in the sector for the design of its training plans (a typical function of CRNs), the hotel chain can participate in that process and influence the profiles being trained.

The same applies to a gaming room operator that needs to certify the training of its employees in the Gambling area: the Mijas CRN is now the national reference for that specific qualification.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if your sector is covered: Check if your activity falls within the areas of Accommodation, Catering or Gambling in the Hospitality and Tourism family. If so, this CRN is your national training reference.
2. Review the center's Work Plans: Once the Annual and Multi-year Plans of the Mijas CRN are published, analyze which profiles and competencies they prioritize. This gives you advance notice of which qualifications will be most valued in the market.
3. Update internal training plans: Align your workforce's continuous training with the standards set by the CRN, especially if you have agreements with vocational training centers or training subsidies.
4. Explore collaborations: National Reference Centers typically establish links with companies in the sector for the design of their programs. Contact the center (A-7 km 201, Mijas, Málaga) to learn about collaboration opportunities.
5. Inform HR and training managers: Share this information with those who design professional development plans in your organization so they can incorporate this reference in their planning.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-18276