Build Your Career in Sustainable Tourism
The tourism industry isn't just bouncing back—it's transforming. Travelers want experiences that respect local communities and protect natural environments. And that creates opportunities for people who understand how to balance visitor satisfaction with long-term conservation.
Our program starts in February 2026, giving you time to prepare and commit to learning practical approaches that work in real destinations. This isn't about theory alone—it's about developing skills you'll actually use.
What You'll Learn
We've organized the curriculum into modules that build on each other, but you can move through them at your own pace between February and July 2026.
Foundation & Context
Weeks 1-3
Start with the fundamentals. What does sustainability actually mean in tourism contexts? How do different destinations approach it? You'll examine real examples of both successes and failures—because understanding what doesn't work matters just as much.
Impact Assessment Methods
Weeks 4-7
Learn to measure what matters. This module teaches you how to evaluate tourism's effects on local ecosystems, economies, and social structures. You'll work with assessment frameworks used by international organizations and adapt them for different contexts.
Stakeholder Engagement
Weeks 8-11
Sustainable tourism requires buy-in from local communities, businesses, government agencies, and visitors themselves. This section covers facilitation techniques, conflict resolution, and building partnerships that last beyond initial project phases.
Implementation & Operations
Weeks 12-16
Theory meets practice here. You'll learn how sustainable principles translate into daily operations—from waste management systems to visitor education programs. We look at budget constraints, staff training, and the reality of implementation timelines.
Regional Application Projects
Weeks 17-24
In the final phase, you'll apply everything to a destination of your choice. Analyze its current situation, identify opportunities and challenges, then develop a realistic sustainability plan. You'll present your work to the group and receive detailed feedback.
How Learning Actually Works
Self-Paced With Structure
You have access to all materials from day one, but we've organized them in a sequence that makes sense. Most people follow the suggested timeline, but if you need to slow down or speed up, that flexibility exists.
Weekly Discussion Sessions
Every Thursday evening (Pacific Time), we meet online to discuss the current module. These aren't lectures—they're conversations where you can ask questions, share observations, and learn from other participants' experiences.
Case Study Analysis
Each module includes real-world examples you'll analyze independently, then discuss with peers. Some cases highlight successful programs; others examine well-intentioned efforts that didn't achieve their goals. Both types teach valuable lessons.
Direct Instructor Access
Questions come up between sessions—that's normal. You can reach instructors through the course platform anytime. Most responses arrive within 24 hours on weekdays. For more complex topics, we schedule one-on-one video calls.
Who Takes This Program
Current participants include tour operators rethinking their business models, park managers developing visitor management plans, hospitality professionals looking to implement greener practices, and career changers moving into conservation work.
Some have years of tourism experience but limited sustainability background. Others come from environmental fields and need to understand tourism operations. The mix creates productive discussions—you'll learn as much from classmates as from course materials.
- Tourism and hospitality professionals seeking specialized knowledge
- Environmental specialists moving into visitor management roles
- Community planners working with tourism development
- Career transitioners with relevant transferable skills
February 2026 Cohort
We're accepting applications now for the program starting February 10, 2026. The cohort has space for 35 participants, and we typically fill spots by late December.
Schedule & Time Commitment
Plan for 8-12 hours per week over six months. That includes:
- Self-paced module work (5-8 hours weekly)
- Live discussion sessions (90 minutes Thursday evenings)
- Optional peer study groups
- Final project work (concentrated in final month)
What's Required
You don't need a specific degree or years of experience, but you should have:
- Basic familiarity with tourism or environmental concepts
- Reliable internet for video sessions
- Commitment to completing assignments on time
- Willingness to participate in group discussions
Application Process
Submit a brief application explaining your background and goals. We're not looking for perfect credentials—we want to understand how this program fits your situation.
- Application review takes about one week
- No application fee required
- Rolling admissions until cohort fills
After Completion
You receive a certificate showing your participation and project work. Some participants use this to advance in current roles. Others leverage it when moving into new positions. Results vary based on individual situations and effort.
Ready to Get Started?
Applications for February 2026 are open until December 31, 2025, or when we reach capacity. Early submission gives you more time to prepare and connect with fellow participants before the program begins.