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

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Leadership in a Polycrisis: A Call to Tourism and Destination Leaders
Leadership in a Polycrisis: A Call to Tourism and Destination Leaders A new framework for tourism...
2 minute read
What Makes Tourism Training Stick?
The Science Behind Long-Term Learning and Frontline Empowerment
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How Tariffs Influence International Tourism to the USA and Canada
How Tariffs Influence International Tourism to the USA and Canada Tariffs—those seemingly distant...
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Can Responsible Tourism Be Taught? Absolutely
Can Responsible Tourism Be Taught? Absolutely—Here’s How Destinations Can Cultivate Community...
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Keep Your Tourism Ambassador Program Top of Mind All Year Long
Keep Your Tourism Ambassador Program Top of Mind All Year Long Tourism ambassador programs are...
3 minute read
The 4 Types of Thinking Tourism Leaders Need to Practice—and Teach
The 4 Types of Thinking Tourism Leaders Need to Practice—and Teach
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Key to Retention: Four Smart Strategies
Developing Your Tourism Workforce Is the Key to Retention: Four Smart Strategies Employee...
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Pride of Place: How Smart Training Programs Flip the Script on Negative Perceptions
How Destination Training Programs Can Flip the Script on Negative Local Perceptions
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Welcoming Isn’t Political — It’s Powerful: Hospitality Starts With Humanity
There’s been much talk in recent years about the so-called "weaponization of travel." The idea is...
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What 200+ Destination CEOs Taught Us About Leadership, Growth, and Community
What 200+ Destination CEOs Taught Us About Leadership, Growth, and Community

Where Will Knowledge Take You?

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