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

2 minute read
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
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Top 10 Tourism Topics for 2025: Elevate Your Destination’s Knowledge
Top 10 Tourism Topics for 2025: Elevate Your Destination’s Knowledge with Learn Tourism
3 minute read
The Role of AI in Tourism: Highlighting Human Expertise, Not Humanizing AI
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into the tourism industry, many...
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9 Proven Strategies to Boost Knowledge Retention in Tourism Training
9 Proven Strategies to Boost Knowledge Retention in Online Tourism Training At Learn...
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Instructional Design and Behavioral Economics in Professional Certification Programs
The Role of Instructional Design and Behavioral Economics in Professional Certification Programs ...
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Improv In The Workplace: The Power of "Yes, And..."
Improv In The Workplace: The Power of "Yes, And..." Improvisation, or "improv," isn’t just for...
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The Hidden Challenges of Building a Tourism Ambassador Program In-House
The Hidden Challenges of Building a Tourism Ambassador Program In-House
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The Hidden Costs of DIY Ambassador Programs for DMOs
The Hidden Costs of DIY Training: Why Many DMOs Regret Building Their Own Tourism Ambassador...

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