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

5 minute read
The High Cost of Neglecting Front-Line Tourism and Hospitality Workers
Since travel resumed in the summer of 2021, tourism and hospitality leaders have scrambled to get...
2 minute read
How to Empower Frontline Teams to Lead in Sustainable Tourism
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2 minute read
How Tourism Training Builds Community Pride and Purpose
How Tourism Training Builds Community Pride and Purpose For communities that rely on tourism, the...
2 minute read
Nerds Unite: How Learn Tourism’s Love of Learning Powers the Tourism Industry
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3 minute read
The New Tourism Ambassador: How Destination Leaders Can Harness Local Champions for Modern Impact
The New Tourism Ambassador: How Destination Leaders Can Harness Local Champions for Modern Impact ...
2 minute read
Advancing Tourism Education with Instructor Avatars
Advancing Tourism Education with Instructor Avatars Tourism training must evolve as quickly as the...
2 minute read
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
3 minute read
How Tariffs Influence International Tourism to the USA and Canada
How Tariffs Influence International Tourism to the USA and Canada Tariffs—those seemingly distant...
2 minute read
Can Responsible Tourism Be Taught? Absolutely
Can Responsible Tourism Be Taught? Absolutely—Here’s How Destinations Can Cultivate Community...

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