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

4 minute read
Why Tourism Ambassador Training Fails to Change Behavior (and How to Fix It)
Your destination invested in a tourism ambassador training program.
3 minute read
Mavericks Wanted: Wyoming's Domenic Bravo on Leadership, Stewardship, and the Future of Tourism
Mavericks Wanted: What Wyoming's Tourism Leader Can Teach Us About the Future of Destination...
4 minute read
200+ Executive Conversations: What Tourism's Best Leaders Have Taught Me
What 200+ Tourism Leaders Taught Me About Leadership, Learning, and the Future of Travel Over the...
1 minute read
The Legacy We Leave: Tourism Cares' Greg Takehara on Purpose, People, and Travel
When tourism leaders talk about success, the conversation often turns to visitor spending, economic...
2 minute read
Building a Destination from Scratch: Lessons from Travel Santa Ana's Wendy Haase-Roberts
Building a Destination from Scratch: Lessons from Travel Santa Ana's Wendy Haase-Roberts Some...
2 minute read
Get Better Visitors: Why the Future of Tourism Isn't More Visitors
For decades, tourism success was measured by one thing: more.
3 minute read
5 Educational Programs Every Destination Should Include in Its Annual Budget
Destinations invest millions of dollars each year in advertising, events, public relations, website...
3 minute read
Edward Harris, Visit Williamsburg on Tourism, Sneakers, and America's 250th
What Else Is There To Do Here? The Question Every Destination Should Be Asking Success can be a...
3 minute read
Changing the Narrative: What Tourism Leaders Can Learn from Peter Gamez
Some leaders focus on marketing destinations.
4 minute read
Tourism Sustainability Isn't About Controlling Tourists. It's About Designing Better Choices.
Tourism Sustainability Isn't About Controlling Tourists. It's About Designing Better Choices. For...

Where Will Knowledge Take You?

Curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning fuel both the traveler and those who make experiences worth having. Join us.