Learn Tourism - a nonprofit academy

Why Tourism Associations, Destination Marketing Organizations, and Experience Providers Should Certify Their Training Programs with Learn Tourism

Written by Stephen Ekstrom | Feb 3, 2025 1:31:16 PM

Why Tourism Associations, Destination Marketing Organizations, and Experience Providers Should Certify Their Training Programs with Learn Tourism

Training programs must be engaging, adaptable, and impactful. For tourism associations, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and experience providers, ensuring that employees, community members, and stakeholders are well-trained is crucial for success.

Certifying training programs with Learn Tourism provides a competitive edge by offering high-quality, research-backed, and customizable learning solutions tailored to the unique needs of the tourism industry.

The Advantages of Certifying with Learn Tourism

1. Industry-Backed Certification Builds Credibility

Learn Tourism is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing professional development in tourism. By certifying a training program through Learn Tourism, organizations gain the credibility and trust associated with a reputable, industry-focused certification body.

This credibility not only reassures stakeholders but also enhances the perceived value of your program for participants, partners, and community leaders.

"...been a game-changer for us. The training modules have provided invaluable insights and tools for our team, empowering us to enhance our marketing strategies and stay ahead in the competitive tourism industry."
— Aerionna Skrutvold, Western Montana’s Glacier Country

2. Customizable & Easily Updatable Course Content

Tourism is dynamic—new attractions, policies, and visitor expectations emerge constantly. With Learn Tourism, your certified training program can be easily updated in real-time, ensuring that participants always receive the most current information.

"[Learn Tourism] takes care of the heavy lift so we can focus on what we do best. It's easy to update, requires little to no maintenance, and produces results we can proudly share with our community."
— Sheila Dougherty, Redding Tourism & Marketing Group

Organizations can create customized learning paths that incorporate their branding, regional knowledge, and specific training needs while still benefiting from the structured learning framework provided by Learn Tourism.

3. Scalability & Accessibility for a Wider Reach

Traditional in-person training limits accessibility due to location and scheduling constraints. Learn Tourism’s online training and certification programs scale effortlessly to reach thousands of learners worldwide, including:

  • Frontline tourism workers
  • Hotel and hospitality staff
  • Tour guides and operators
  • Community members and tourism ambassadors

DMOs and tourism organizations can now certify thousands of individuals at a fraction of the cost of traditional in-person training.

"Without Learn Tourism and online training for our tourism ambassadors, there's no way we could reach everyone in our community and build the support we need to continue marketing ourselves as a prized destination."
— Frances Manzitto, Clarksville-Montgomery County CVB

4. Actionable Analytics & Performance Tracking

Measuring the success of training programs is essential for improvement. Learn Tourism provides real-time engagement dashboards and performance analytics, enabling organizations to track:

  • Course completion rates
  • Learner progress
  • Engagement levels
  • Certification achievements

By understanding how participants interact with the material, tourism organizations can optimize training efforts for greater impact.

"I can track in real-time who's taking the course, making progress, and earning their certificate."
— Sheila Dougherty, Redding Tourism & Marketing Group

5. Seamless Integration & API Connectivity

For organizations that already use learning management systems (LMS), Learn Tourism’s certification programs can be integrated with popular CMS platforms and other digital tools via API connectivity. This ensures a seamless learning experience without additional administrative burden.

6. Enhanced Destination & Brand Recognition

Certifying a training program with Learn Tourism increases brand recognition, establishing a destination or experience provider as a leader in professional development. A well-trained workforce enhances visitor experiences, leading to higher satisfaction rates and increased return visits.

"The DIY Tourism Marketing Conference has been instrumental in shaping the tourism marketing landscape. Our partnership with Learn Tourism has elevated our conference to new heights, offering unparalleled training opportunities for DMOs and tourism businesses."
— Justin Belleme, JB Media Institute

7. Scholarship & Community Investment Opportunities

As a nonprofit, Learn Tourism reinvests earnings into scholarships, NGO partnerships, and professional development opportunities, ensuring that communities worldwide have access to top-tier tourism education. Organizations that certify with Learn Tourism contribute to these global initiatives, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable tourism development.

"[Learn Tourism] has revolutionized our approach to training in the hospitality industry. With their online modules, we've reached a wider audience, ensuring that Memphis continues to deliver exceptional hospitality to all our visitors."
— Marcus Cox, Welcome to Memphis

Why Choose Learn Tourism for Certification?

  • Established credibility in the tourism industry
  • Real-time updates for course materials
  • Global accessibility for learners
  • Advanced analytics for tracking success
  • Seamless API connectivity for easy integration
  • Stronger brand recognition for destinations and experience providers
  • Commitment to reinvesting in tourism education and workforce development

Certifying your training program with Learn Tourism means empowering your workforce, strengthening your destination's brand, and delivering a world-class learning experience to everyone who interacts with your tourism ecosystem.

Ready to take your training program to the next level?
Visit learntourism.org to learn more about our certification options.

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