UN Tourism and the Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Programme (STAMP) at Cornell University’s Centre for Sustainable Global Enterprise have announced that they will provide financial assistance to three-hundred-and-fifty people. This will allow individuals free enrolment onto Cornell University’s Sustainable Tourism Destination Management online course.
Cornell University’s Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Programme
Following the UN Tourism Ministers Summit at ITB Berlin, UN Tourism has announced their partnership with Cornell University, continuing the current trend of uplifting young leaders in tourism. The development between the two organisations provides financial support to hundreds of students, allowing for widespread education in tourism-supporting the industry’s future across the world.
Cornell University’s STAMP course was developed in response to the pressing demand for efficient management of global tourism and its rapid growth. It has been created with the support and collaboration of the Travel Foundation and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The course is online-based, enabling increased capacity and inclusivity of students across the world. This will encourage a new standard of global tourism management that can be carried out over various locations.
Topics such as safeguarding local wellbeing, and the preservation of natural and cultural resources are directly addressed in the course – working in line with numerous requirements of tourism ministries, destination management organisations, protected areas, municipal governments, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This will allow for increased sustainability efforts with greater transparency in the use of environmental and social assets on which the aviation, travel and tourism sectors heavily rely upon.
Megan Epler Wood, Managing Director of the Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Programme (STAMP) at Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business said:
“Destination management is a new discipline which requires topflight expertise to protect vital destination assets and ensure there are local benefits, as tourism markets expand rapidly worldwide.”
In addition to this, Epler Wood further highlights:
“Decision makers will require evidence-based insights to monitor and shape tourism economies, and we at Cornell University are proud to offer worldwide access to advanced training on the topic through our collaboration with UN Tourism.”
Natalia Bayona, Executive Director at UN Tourism said:
“Education is the cornerstone of sustainable tourism development. By equipping professionals and leaders with the tools and knowledge to align their strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals, we are paving the way for a tourism sector that not only drives economic growth but also safeguards our cultural heritage and natural ecosystems for future generations. This partnership with Cornell University exemplifies how education can be a catalyst for meaningful change.”
Echoing this sentiment, Antonio López de Ávila, Director of Innovation, Education and Investments at UN Tourism added:
“Tourism’s true potential lies in its ability to contribute to global sustainability, but this can only be achieved through education and collaboration. By joining forces with Cornell University, we are empowering destination managers and practitioners with the knowledge they need to protect communities, preserve biodiversity, and ensure tourism remains a driver of positive change.”
How to Enrol
The application process for Cornell University’s Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Programme (STAMP) can be completed online, and is officially open on their website.
The course has been created for a wide audience, suitable for both students and professionals in public and private sectors. To qualify, applicants must be residents of an eligible country (with one-hundred-and-fifty-four listed), and be proficient in English. Applicants must also commit to complete the course over eight weeks. The full course is forty hours in total, though it is entirely self-paced, allowing for a flexible timetable.
Graduates who successfully complete the course and meet all course requirements will receive a Recognition of Achievement from eCornell.
What are your thoughts on Cornell University’s Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Programme? Will you be applying? Let us know in the comments.
