Is this course for you?

You don't need a tourism degree or industry experience. You just need some curiosity.

This course is for you if you are:

  • A student wondering whether tourism is a real career, not just a summer job

  • A career-changer whose skills (sales, service, events, marketing, operations) could carry over

  • A frontline team member at a hotel, attraction or visitor center who wants to see what's next

  • A parent, teacher or counselor helping someone else explore their options

What you'll walk away with

By the end, you'll be able to:

  • Describe how the tourism industry fits together, from hotels and attractions to destination organizations, events and the businesses that support them

  • Match your own interests and strengths to at least three tourism career paths.

  • Identify the skills and experience you still need, and practical ways to get them, including routes that don't require a degree

  • Write a tourism-ready resume and handle common interview questions with confidence

  • Leave with a 90-day action plan: people to meet, places to network and first steps to take

How it works

You'll build your Career Map as you go. It's a downloadable workbook, and each chapter adds one piece of your plan. By the final lesson, you'll have a finished career plan, not just a list of watched videos.

• About 3 hours of video in short lessons you can fit into a lunch break
• 8 chapters, self-paced. Start and stop whenever you like.
• Real conversations with industry leaders about how they got where they are
• Practice built in: reflection prompts, resume examples and interview practice
• Certificate of completion to add to LinkedIn or your resume

Hear from people who've built tourism careers

What's the best way to understand a career? Ask someone who has one.

This course includes candid conversations with leaders from across the industry: Martha Sheridan, Fred Dixon, Stacy Ritter, Maura Gast, Amir Eylon, Chadi Solomon, and Rose Dennis.

They share how they started, what they wish they'd known, and what they look for when they hire.

Course curriculum

    1. Meet Your Instructor: Stephen Ekstrom

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Get your Career Map workbook

    3. Introduction to the Course: Objectives and goals

    4. Introduction to the Course: Course structure and assessment

    5. Importance of the Tourism Industry: Economic impact

    6. Importance of the Tourism Industry: Social and cultural significance

    7. Start Your Career Map

    8. Welcome Survey

    1. Overview of the Tourism Sector

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Trends In Tourism & Future Outlook

    3. Add to Your Career Map: My Tourism Landscape

    1. Exploring Career Paths in Tourism

    2. Essential Skills for Tourism Careers

    3. Education Recommendations

    4. Add to Your Career Map: Paths That Fit Me

    1. Meet Industry Leaders

    2. Martha Sheridan - CEO Meet Boston

    3. Chadi Solomon - GM Baltimore Hotel

    4. Maura Gast - Executive Director of the Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau

    5. Amir Eylon - CEO Longwoods International

    6. Stacy Ritter - CEO of Visit Lauderdale

    7. Fred Dixon - CEO of Brand USA

    8. Rose Dennis - Summerside PEI

    9. Business Class Podcast

    10. Add to Your Career Map: Lessons From Leaders

    1. Gaining Practical Experience: Importance of internships and volunteer work

    2. Real World Applications: Examples of assignments and projects

    3. Networking in Tourism

    4. Where To Network

    5. Networking: Introduce Yourself

    6. Connect with Your Instructor

    7. Add to Your Career Map: Experience and People

    1. Setting Career Goals

    2. What Are Your Career Goals

    3. Creating a resume and cover letter tailored to tourism

    4. Example Tourism Resumes

    5. Effective Job Search Techniques

    6. Preparing for interviews

    7. Add to Your Career Map: My Job-Ready Toolkit

About this course

  • $39.95
  • 47 lessons
  • 3.5 hours of video content

Meet your instructor

Stephen Ekstrom

CEO Founder at Learn Tourism

Stephen Ekstrom is the embodiment of a passionate lifelong learner and a seasoned professional in the tourism industry, serving as the CEO and founder of Learn Tourism - the nonprofit academy. With over 25 years of experience, he has cultivated a deep understanding of tourism development and education, driven by his commitment to advancing the industry and fostering sustainable economies. Stephen's insatiable curiosity and love of knowledge have made him a proud nerd, constantly seeking to expand his expertise and share his insights with others. Alongside his faithful furry companions, Rudy and Marjorie, he embraces the digital nomad lifestyle, traversing the globe and immersing himself in diverse cultures. A dedicated advocate for continuous improvement, Stephen is a professional member of the Association for Talent Development and a member of Skal International. Stephen holds prestigious certifications in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership from USF, AI Governance and Ethics from Brown University, Sustainable Business Strategy and Transforming Customer Experiences from Harvard Business School, and Sustainable Tourism Destination Management from Cornell.

Earn your certificate

Finish the course and your Career Map, and you'll earn a Learn Tourism certificate of completion. Share it on LinkedIn, add it to your resume, or bring it to your next interview as proof that you've done the homework.
Enroll Now

For destinations and employers

Do you want to grow tomorrow's tourism workforce in your community? Sponsor seats for local students, new hires or career-changers. It's an easy, affordable workforce development step with a clear story to tell your board and partners.
Contact Us

FAQ

  • Do I need tourism experience or a degree?

    No. The course is designed for beginners and career changers, and it covers paths that don't require a degree.

  • How long will it take?

    Most learners can finish in a few weeks at an hour or two a week. It's self-paced, so you set the speed.

  • How long do I have access?

    12 months from enrollment.

  • What is the Career Map?

    It's a workbook you fill in as you go. Each chapter adds a piece, and by the end, you have a personal plan with roles to target, skills to build, people to meet, and next steps.

  • Can my organization enroll a group?

    Yes. See "For destinations and employers" above, or reach out to our team.

Your tourism career starts with a plan.

Explore the paths, learn from people who've walked them, and leave with a Career Map that's yours.

Start your Career Map — $39.95