Stephen Ekstrom

Stephen Ekstrom is the embodiment of a passionate lifelong learner and a seasoned professional in the tourism industry, serving as the CEO and founder of Learn Tourism | learntourism.org. With over 25 years of experience, he has cultivated a deep understanding of tourism development and education, driven by his commitment to advancing the industry and fostering sustainable economies. Stephen's insatiable curiosity and love of knowledge have made him a proud nerd, constantly seeking to expand his expertise and share his insights with others. Alongside his faithful furry companions, Rudy and Marjorie, he embraces the digital nomad lifestyle, traversing the globe and immersing himself in diverse cultures. A dedicated advocate for continuous improvement, Stephen is a professional member of the Association for Talent Development and a member of Skal International. Stephen holds prestigious certifications in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership from USF, AI Governance and Ethics from Brown University, Sustainable Business Strategy and Transforming Customer Experiences from Harvard Business School, and Sustainable Tourism Destination Management from Cornell.

Education that Takes you places

3 minute read
15 Famous People Who Served as Tourism Ambassadors for Their Home Countries
Fame travels faster than advertising. Long before social media influencers and destination...
2 minute read
That’s Buffalo for You: Nimble Leadership in Uncertain Times
Tourism leadership sounds glamorous from the outside. Branding campaigns. Big conventions....
3 minute read
Do. Learn. Remember. — A practical framework for product development in tourism
Do. Learn. Remember. — A practical framework for product development in tourism By Stephen Ekstrom,...
3 minute read
Why No Single Tool, Expert, or Platform Can Do What Learn Tourism Does for Destinations
Why No Single Tool, Expert, or Platform Can Do What Learn Tourism Does for Destinations
3 minute read
6 Best Practices for Destinations Building Their Own Tourism Ambassador Program
Destinations everywhere are discovering a simple truth that feels almost subversive in its clarity:...
4 minute read
13 Tourism Ambassador Programs That Kick Ass
13 Tourism Ambassador Programs That Kick Ass Real Destinations. Real Training. Real Results.
3 minute read
Importance of Values In Tourism Learning
Shared Values, Shared Futures: A Human-centered Approach To Tourism Learning Shared values shape...
2 minute read
Transparency And Honesty In Tourism Training
Transparency builds trust, and trust is the quiet engine behind effective tourism training. When...
3 minute read
Everything You Need to Know to Launch a Destination Workforce Development Project
Everything You Need to Know to Launch a Destination Workforce Development Project Destination...
2 minute read
Tourism & Transformation: Jennifer Vigil's Panama City Vision
Jennifer Vigil, the dynamic president and CEO of Destination Panama City, has a story that began in...

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.