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
Out of Office, In Character: What Your Auto-Reply Says About Your Company Culture
Out of Office, In Character: What Your Auto-Reply Says About Your Company Culture
3 minute read
Tourism Ambassador Training That Builds Destination Loyalty
Visitors remember how a destination makes them feel long after they forget an itinerary. A...
4 minute read
We Updated Our Glossary of Tourism Industry Terms
We Updated Our Glossary of Tourism Industry Terms Tourism language changes as the industry changes....
3 minute read
Defining Company Culture: From Values to Real-World Behaviors
Company culture shapes every interaction your team has—with each other, with customers, and with...
2 minute read
Beyond Heads in Beds: What High Point Teaches Us About the Future of Tourism
Beyond Heads in Beds: What High Point Teaches Us About the Future of Tourism Tourism leaders have...
4 minute read
7 Instructional Design Deliverables for DMO Training
7 Instructional Design Deliverables for DMO Training Destination marketing organizations invest...
10 minute read
Measuring Tourism Ambassador Training Impact in 2026
You've invested in tourism ambassador training. You've got a cohort of trained staff, volunteers,...
2 minute read
The Real Training Goal Is Confidence, Connection, and Community Impact
The Real Goal Isn’t Training—It’s Confidence, Connection, and Community Impact
2 minute read
Smarter Tourism Training Starts Here: 5 Shifts That Make the Difference
Why Most Tourism Training Fails (And What High-Performing Destinations Do Instead)

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