Stephen Ekstrom

Advisory Panel Chair and Chief Strategist at Learn Tourism - the nonprofit academy at learntourism.org is Stephen Ekstrom. Ekstrom began his career in the 1990’s on college radio at Quinnipiac University. He went on to create and deliver successful tourism development strategies for now thriving destinations, theme restaurants, cultural institutions, theatrical management companies, and some of the world’s most recognized attractions. He’s called upon to speak at colleges and universities, conferences and countless panel discussions each year. He hosts Learn Tourism's Business Class podcast and is a featured writer for several travel magazines. He’s also been profiled by media giants like the New York Times, NBC, ABC, CBS Morning, and NY1.

Education that Takes you places

3 minute read
AI Didn’t Break Destination Marketing. It Revealed What Matters Most.
AI Didn’t Break Destination Marketing. It Revealed What Matters Most. Artificial intelligence is...
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From Applause to Action: Tourism Talks That Change Behavior
From Applause to Action: Designing Tourism Speaker Experiences That Change Behavior Tourism...
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Stop Managing Tourism. Start Designing It.
Design thinking is not a buzzword. It is a business advantage hiding in plain sight across the...
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You Belong in Every Room: Leadership Lessons from Birmingham’s Dan Williams
Leadership in tourism has long been measured by numbers—visitation, economic impact, room nights.
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AI Leadership in Tourism: What Destination Leaders Must Get Right Right Now
AI Leadership in Tourism: What Destination Leaders Must Get Right Right Now
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What Destination CEOs Are Really Talking About in 2026
What Destination CEOs Are Really Talking About in 2026
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Why Belonging Is the New Competitive Advantage in Tourism (and What DMOs Must Do About It)
Why Belonging Is the New Competitive Advantage in Tourism (and What DMOs Must Do About It)
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Memorization vs. Behavior Change: The Missing Link Between Training and Results
Stop Teaching Facts. Start Changing Behavior: A New Standard for Tourism Training Tourism training...
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The ROI of Tourism Training: How Educated Locals Become Your Most Powerful Marketing Channel
The ROI of Tourism Training: How Educated Locals Become Your Most Powerful Marketing Channel ...
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From Stage to Strategy: How Tourism Speakers Drive Real Change in Destinations
From Stage to Strategy: How Tourism Speakers Drive Real Change in Destinations Tourism conferences...

Where Will Knowledge Take You?

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