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In an empowering move, Cornell University, in conjunction with the Travel Foundation, has invited applications to its trailblazing online course, Sustainable Tourism Destination Management, made available via eCornell. This educational endeavour, which offers total funding for over 800 participants, is a commendable initiative by the renowned Ivy League institution and the international tourism nonprofit. This opportunity is possible because of generous financial backing from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

The intent is to equip a global audience with the necessary tools and techniques to address the escalating need for professional destination management, a gap brought to attention by Cornell and the Travel Foundation’s 2019 report, “Destinations at Risk: The Invisible Burden of Tourism,” says Mark Milstein, academic director of the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise and co-faculty lead. Applications are currently open on the Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Program (STAMP) website. The deadline for submission is a tight one month, creating a sense of urgency for potential candidates.

However, eligibility is specified. To qualify, applicants must reside in one of the 154 listed countries, demonstrate proficiency in English, and commit to completing the intensive 40-hour course spread over eight weeks. This schedule approximates half a day of study per week.

This course is flexible and self-paced in response to the mushrooming growth of the global tourism sector. It caters to students and professionals in the public and private sectors. It provides practical tools and exercises directly related to the needs of various stakeholders, including tourism ministries, destination management organizations, NGOs, protected areas, and municipal governments.

Jeremy Sampson, CEO of the Travel Foundation, hails the course as a critical solution. It arms destination managers and other place-based professionals with the necessary skills to tackle the significant challenges of the 21st Century. He further emphasizes that the scholarship ensures cost should not be an obstacle for anyone around the globe to access this unique opportunity to learn from an Ivy League institution.

The program’s pioneering materials enable the participants to evaluate their destinations’ future sustainable tourism development needs immediately. These include sustainable infrastructure requirements, climate mitigation, adaptation tools at a destination-wide level, and social, environmental, and economic development indicators. These indicators help identify local needs inclusively. Graduates will be recognized with an Achievement Certificate from Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business upon completion.

“Sustainable Tourism Destination Management is now 100% affordable for those who aspire to enhance their skills and lead the future of global tourism destination management,” adds Megan Epler Wood, Managing Director of STAMP and co-faculty lead.

The deadline for applications is 12 pm EDT on July 31. However, potential candidates are urged to apply as soon as possible.