Cement Learning Through Fun: A Foundation for Sustainable Tourism Education

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable tourism development, training isn't just about transferring knowledge—it’s about cultivating passion, pride, and purpose in every participant. The recent TD at Work issue, Cement Learning with Fun by Paige Parker Salazar, offers a compelling case for transforming traditional training methods into engaging, interactive experiences that fuel long-term retention and behavior change. For organizations like Learn Tourism the nonprofit academy, this philosophy is not just useful—it’s essential.

Learning that Lasts: Why Fun Matters

“Fun” is often underestimated in professional settings, but Salazar’s research-backed insights confirm what effective adult educators already know: learners retain more when they’re emotionally engaged. This aligns closely with adult learning theories, such as Knowles’ principles of andragogy, which emphasize relevance, self-direction, and experiential learning.

Studies cited by Salazar, including the work of Michael Tews and Raymond Noe, show that incorporating fun leads to:

• Increased engagement and retention

• Greater learner motivation

• Deeper collaboration and peer connection

• Improved outcomes in knowledge and skills acquisition

These are not just benefits—they are prerequisites for meaningful, sustainable tourism education, especially when training frontline staff, community advocates, or destination champions.

Empowering Tourism Workers through Experience-Based Learning

From role plays and drawing exercises to team competitions and storytelling, the techniques shared in the article mirror many of the practices implemented by Learn Tourism. For example, in recent ambassador and training programs across the U.S., including the Destination LEXpert and Poconos Ambassador Program, participants consistently reported feeling more confident and better equipped to create exceptional experiences for visitors.

Whether it’s discovering hidden culinary gems in Lexington or understanding the accessibility features of the Poconos, learners express excitement and gratitude not only for the content but for the way it’s delivered. As one participant put it, “This program was really enjoyable! Although I’ve worked here for four years, it felt like a whole new world to me.”

That is the power of fun, facilitated learning: it unlocks local pride and transforms familiar surroundings into opportunities for storytelling and impact.

Fun is Sustainable

Sustainability in tourism isn’t only about protecting natural resources—it’s also about investing in people. When tourism professionals, residents, and stakeholders are engaged through enjoyable, inclusive education, they’re more likely to:

• Stay in their roles longer

• Act as stewards of the place

• Adapt to change and innovation

• Support sustainable practices with authenticity

Learn Tourism champions this model by integrating science-backed instructional design with community-based values. From incorporating humor and multimedia to enabling personalized action plans, the organization’s approach echoes the frameworks advocated in Cement Learning with Fun.

Embedding Joy in Professional Development

Learning can—and should—spark joy. As Salazar notes, “Facilitators are architects of the learning environment.” When tourism educators prioritize psychological safety, humor, cohort-based learning, and gamification, they build resilient, knowledgeable teams that deliver on the promise of exceptional guest experiences.

In the context of sustainable tourism, joy becomes a tool for social and economic regeneration. It builds bridges between sectors, helps frontline workers see their role in the larger ecosystem, and makes education not just accessible but aspirational.

Final Thought: Design with Purpose

For those creating courses in tourism marketing, customer service, or destination development, the lesson is clear: don’t just inform—transform. Design every learning moment to be engaging, interactive, and fun. Because when we enjoy learning, we remember it. When we remember it, we apply it. And when we apply it, we move one step closer to building the inclusive, sustainable tourism industry we all envision.

About Learn Tourism the nonprofit academy...
Learn Tourism is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the tourism industry through innovative educational practices and professional development initiatives. Our mission is to harness the power of science, business psychology, and adult education to build sustainable economies and enrich the tourism landscape.