Learn Tourism Endorsed by Skål International Tampa Bay for Global Sustainability Award

We are thrilled to share that Skål International Tampa Bay has officially endorsed Learn Tourism for the 2025 Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards in the Educational and Social Programs category.

This prestigious endorsement is a testament to our commitment to delivering innovative, inclusive, and sustainability-focused learning experiences for the global tourism industry.

A Shared Vision for Sustainable Tourism

Skål International—one of the world’s most respected tourism organizations—has long championed responsible tourism, global friendship, and professional excellence. The endorsement from their Tampa Bay club reinforces our shared values and recognizes the real-world impact Learn Tourism is making across destinations.

As the official endorsement letter stated, Learn Tourism is “a global leader in sustainable education… whose efforts reflect a deep commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the future resilience of our industry.”

We couldn’t be more proud.

Powered by Skålleagues

Learn Tourism is built by tourism professionals, for tourism professionals. Two of our leadership team members are active members of Skål International, including our CEO and co-founder Stephen Ekstrom, who proudly carries the torch of “doing business among friends” wherever he goes.

Stephen is what we affectionately call a professional tourist. As he travels the world building partnerships, developing programs, and speaking at conferences, he takes every opportunity to visit local Skål clubs, break bread with fellow Skålleagues, and stay grounded in the real people and places that make tourism a force for good.

These encounters often spark new ideas, lead to new collaborations, and reinforce our mission: to educate, inspire, and uplift the tourism community—frontline workers, community leaders, travel planners, students, and residents alike.

Sustainability Through Education

Learn Tourism’s programs are currently active in nearly 60 destinations worldwide, with over 30,000 learners enrolled. From Charm City Certified in Baltimore to the Pocono Mountains Tourism Ambassador Program, from Pathways to Tourism Careers to the Lake Tahoe Basin Stewardship Course (built in partnership with 17 NGOs), our work equips people with the tools, pride, and empathy to steward their destinations and build sustainable tourism economies.

Our fully digital, multilingual learning platform reduces the carbon footprint of training, eliminates waste, and enables destinations of all sizes to reach learners where they are—on their phones, in their communities, and in their own voices.

Onward to Cuzco (We Hope!)

With this endorsement, we are now eligible to be considered for the 2025 Skål International Sustainable Tourism Award, to be presented this fall in Cuzco, Peru. It would be an incredible honor to stand on that stage—not just to accept an award, but to represent all the communities, clients, partners, and learners who make our work meaningful.

Stay tuned, and thank you for being part of this journey.

Skål!

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.