With just one week left to apply, the Travel Foundation is urging destination organisations to register for the January 2026 intake of its free Destination Climate Champions training course, delivered in partnership with Expedia Group. Submissions close on 19 January, with limited places available for the flagship online programme supporting destination management and marketing organisations to build resilient, climate-smart tourism.
With the majority of tourism concentrated in climate-vulnerable regions, destinations are already experiencing the impacts of rising temperatures, extreme weather, water scarcity and biodiversity loss. There is growing pressure on destination organisations to strengthen resilience and support communities. This programme helps build the confidence and skills needed to respond.
Destination Climate Champions has been available globally for almost a year, following earlier pilots with selected destinations. It has consistently received strong feedback, with participants reporting increased confidence in applying climate action principles and tangible progress in developing Climate Action Plans.
The programme now runs three times annually, with fixed intakes in January, May and September. This new cohort model strengthens peer support and improves opportunities for live engagement, helping participants learn alongside colleagues from other destinations.
Destination Climate Champions is free and open to staff working at destination management or marketing organisations. It is a self-paced, virtual course designed by experts at the Travel Foundation, in partnership with Expedia Group. The programme equips participants to:
- Develop or update a Climate Action Plan tailored to their destination
- Understand climate risks and resilience approaches
- Identify and reduce tourism-related emissions, and support stakeholders to do the same
- Embed climate considerations in everyday decisions
- Participate in facilitated peer learning sessions with fellow destinations and guest experts
The online course has eight modules, covering everything from creating a climate action plan to future proofing your marketing strategy. Each module takes around one to two hours, with additional time needed for applied learning tasks.
Participants in the January intake may also opt to purchase tailored coaching sessions from the Travel Foundation’s specialist team, to support specific local needs or challenges – contact [email protected] for more information.
Feedback from previous participants highlights that the programme makes complex topics manageable and relevant to real-world destination management. Six months after completing the course:
- 87% had begun developing a Climate Action Plan
- 75% were applying tools and learnings in their daily work
- Nearly two-thirds had launched new initiatives or strengthened stakeholder partnerships
Katie James, Learning and Development Lead at the Travel Foundation, said, “Destination Climate Champions has shown that when people working in destination management have the right tools and support, they act. We’ve seen teams take practical steps to reduce emissions, build resilience and make climate-smart decisions that benefit communities and visitors alike. This upcoming cohort is a great opportunity for more destinations to build confidence, strengthen networks and accelerate progress.”
Aditi Mohapatra, Vice President, Global Social Impact and Sustainability at Expedia Group said, “Addressing climate risk requires collaboration across the tourism sector, and destinations play a central role in steering that change. As demand for responsible and resilient travel continues to grow, Destination Climate Champions helps destination teams turn ambition into action in ways that benefit communities, visitors and the environment.”
Register now
Submissions close on 19 January for the January 2026 intake. Places are limited, and registration is recommended as soon as possible. Once registered, participants will receive login details and guidance to begin the course.
