Community Engagement and Empowerment: Building Lasting Impacts in Tourism Worldwide
At Learn Tourism, we believe that engaging and empowering communities is foundational to creating a vibrant and sustainable tourism ecosystem. This commitment extends globally, taking root in diverse regions and aligning with unique community needs. Through our various programs, we aim to equip individuals with skills, knowledge, and a sense of pride that both strengthens their roles within their local tourism economies and fosters meaningful connections with visitors. Here, we explore some of our key initiatives worldwide, highlighting our dedication to community-centered tourism and how it enriches lives, creates opportunities, and celebrates cultural heritage.
In regions bordering UNESCO World Heritage sites in Africa, Learn Tourism has collaborated with local communities to establish a specialized tourism-focused school. This school is designed to empower young people by providing a solid foundation in tourism education, offering courses on the history, culture, and natural significance of these heritage areas. Students learn about sustainable tourism and develop skills in guiding, hospitality, and customer service, preparing them for meaningful careers in tourism that respect and protect the legacy of these heritage sites.
Our program underscores the importance of cultural and environmental preservation, teaching young people to become stewards of their lands. The school’s curriculum is crafted with input from local experts, ensuring that traditional knowledge and practices are respected. By grounding this program in local values and leveraging the unique cultural context, Learn Tourism helps cultivate a new generation of tourism professionals who are empowered to represent and protect their communities’ heritage on the global stage.
Language skills are essential in regions where tourism is rapidly growing. To address this need, Learn Tourism has partnered with Red Sea Global and EduGuideKSA to develop a language training program for frontline tourism workers across Saudi Arabia. The English for Tourism program focuses on equipping workers with essential language skills, enabling them to engage confidently with international tourists and deliver memorable experiences.
Through this program, workers gain practical skills tailored to real-life interactions, from answering questions to sharing local stories. By improving communication skills, this program also enhances workers' confidence and broadens their career opportunities within the industry. This project not only strengthens local tourism services but also fosters a sense of pride and professionalism among participants, ultimately leading to higher standards of hospitality across the region.
Empowering community members to become tourism ambassadors has been a critical focus of Learn Tourism’s initiatives in North America. Working with over 50 destinations, we design and deliver ambassador training programs that inspire pride in local culture and educate participants on providing authentic and welcoming experiences. These programs have already reached over 30,000 participants, equipping them with destination knowledge and customer service skills tailored to each unique community.
For instance, in the Pocono Mountains, the Tourism Ambassador Program offers an on-demand, multilingual course for community members and frontline tourism workers. This program encourages participants to engage deeply with their community’s heritage, instilling a sense of ownership and pride. By training local ambassadors, Learn Tourism creates a network of informed, passionate individuals who act as cultural bridges, enhancing visitors’ experiences and fostering meaningful interactions.
In Portland, Oregon, Learn Tourism has collaborated with Travel Portland to create an asynchronous course that covers a range of critical topics, from cultural competencies and accessibility to the impact of tourism on the local economy. This program seeks to prepare tourism workers to deliver inclusive and welcoming experiences while also equipping them with knowledge about Portland-specific attractions and issues.
This program empowers tourism workers to engage visitors with respect and empathy by addressing topics such as equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the training. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for all visitors while building an informed and compassionate workforce. In Portland and beyond, our programs help communities develop a more resilient, inclusive, and people-centered approach to tourism.
Across all of our programs, we aim to create opportunities for career development within tourism, providing communities with a pathway toward economic empowerment. Our "Pathways to Tourism Careers" course introduces young people and career-switchers to a range of tourism industry opportunities, demonstrating how these careers can have a positive impact on their communities. By working with local and international partners, we deliver this program in ways that align with each community’s goals, reinforcing our belief in education as a powerful tool for sustainable development.
Learn Tourism's community engagement initiatives extend across borders and cultures, unified by a commitment to education, empowerment, and inclusivity. Whether through a specialized school near a heritage site, language training for frontline workers, or ambassador programs that celebrate local culture, each of these programs is rooted in our mission to advance the tourism industry by enriching the lives of those within it.
Our focus remains on empowering individuals to take ownership of their roles in tourism, fostering communities that are well-prepared to benefit from tourism’s economic, social, and cultural opportunities. By working alongside communities worldwide, Learn Tourism is building a legacy of community-centered tourism that honors and uplifts the people who make every destination unique.
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.