Online course by Cornell STAMP from eCornell

STAMP has created an 8-module online, self-paced Cornell course on Sustainable Tourism Destination Management for professionals and students. The program is available through eCornell. This course aims to train global hospitality and tourism professionals in using sustainable practices across all areas of the tourism industry. Throughout the course, you will be introduced to innovative, data-driven methods for destination management, delivered by over 25 world-renowned experts in the field.

You will begin by identifying the different components that make up the global tourism industry and examine the effects each of these components has on a destination’s social, cultural, and environmental well-being.You will then acquire the tools needed to manage your destination sustainably by designing a climate action plan, documenting and accommodating natural capital needs, improving land-use planning, engaging with local communities, and managing public-private partnerships. Ultimately, you will be able to contribute to the economic development of a destination while also protecting its health.

Alumni testimonials

“If you are a tourism expert or consultant who has wondered why entrance fees need to be increased or have worked with destinations that are facing an unsustainable future, you will get a lot out of this course. If we wish to cultivate regenerative culture, it has to be place-based and people-centered, and we must shape tourism to help places and people flourish, socially, environmentally and economically.”

Do Phuong, Slow Travel Hue, Vietnam

“The insights and teachings have broadened my understanding of sustainable tourism and equipped me with practical strategies to implement in real-world scenarios. The instructors’ passion for creating sustainable destinations is evident in their engaging teaching style, which makes every session a valuable learning opportunity. I’m excited to put this newfound expertise into practice and positively impact the world of travel.”

Aditi Choudhary, India Institute of Tourism and Travel Management

The course provided extensive insight into real-world examples of sustainable practices in every aspect of global tourism and hospitality, and gave me opportunities to learn, exchange, and apply. I feel prepared to take this practical knowledge and apply it to current problems and prospects for Central Asian tourism.

Dr. Gulnoza Usmonova, Course Participant, Central Asian University, Uzbekistan

Course speakers include:

• Anthony Capuano, Marriott
• Keith Vincent and Aline Umutoni, Wilderness Safaris
• Sally Davey, Travalyst
• Api Movono, Massey University
• Keenan Adams, US Forest Service

Program modules

• Tourism industry overview
• The invisible burden of tourism: Measuring unaccounted impacts
• Managing the invisible burden of tourism
• Managing climate impacts of tourism
• Defining and achieving key economic development goals
• Equitable and inclusive management of tourism shared assets
• Developing dedicated destination management capacity
• Developing long-term destination management plans

The program was developed by the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business’ Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Program (STAMP) in partnership with global NGO The Travel Foundation, with financial support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).