UN Tourism.ExecutiveEducation

UN Tourism Executive Education

UN Tourism.ExecutiveEducation Initiatives seek to strengthen and develop the capacities and competencies of tourism professionals in their key action areas, as well as to share knowledge and tools in a practical and interactive mode.

These Initiatives are offered onsite, online and blended format, and are always tailor-made to the needs of the different target audiences. 

Such Initiatives are facilitated by UN Tourism international experts from UN Tourism, UN Tourism partners’ organizations and/or UN Tourism.TedQual certified Institutions, and co-organised with Tourism National Administrations/Organizations from UN Tourism Member States.

Target Audience

UNWTO.ExecutiveEducationThe UN Tourism.ExecutiveEducation Initiatives are for high-level tourism officials and professionals from UN Tourism Member States’ public and private sector and civil society.

Objectives

  • Familiarize participants with UN Tourism’s vision and knowledge;
  • Build the capacities and competencies of Tourism officials and professionals in their key action areas;
  • Share knowledge and tools in a practical and interactive manner;
  • Develop abilities for the application of tourism management processes, techniques and strategies;
  • Facilitate communication and collaboration between UN Tourism Member States and UN Tourism.

Who can request / co-organize UN Tourism.ExecutiveEducation Initiatives?

UN Tourism Member States and/or UN Tourism/Themis Partners that wish to receive UN Tourism’s support in launching UN Tourism education, training and capacity building actions.

These are the main steps for hosting a UNWTO.ExecutiveEducation Initiative:

Duration: this process may take between 6 to 8 months

  1. Request: The highest authority in the National Tourism Administration sends a formal written request to UNWTO proposing: dates, topic (outcomes desired), format, language, place and logistics.
  2. Agreement:
    1. UNWTO replies and sends an agreement to be signed between UNWTO, UNWTO Academy and the host country.
    2. The agreement is signed and received at UNWTO.
  3. Proposal: UNWTO Academy sends a proposal to the NTA with a content outline, a budget and other matters, which is to be accepted by the NTA.
  4. Preparation:
    1. The NTA designates its team: 1 course coordinator, 1 technical visit and prep visit coordinator, 1 communications coordinator.
    2. The NTA identifies the regional/local coordination team, and introduces it is to the UNWTO Academy.
    3. The NTA, UNWTO, UNWTO Academy, experts and the province and town hosts prepare the initiative and organise the Initiative.
  5. Preparatory visit: The NTA and the host town welcome the experts and the UNWTO Academy team up to 4 days before the beginning of the UNWTO.Capacity Initiative, so as to prepare the technical visit (when corresponding) and/or other academic, technical and logistic arrangements. During this preparatory visit, they are to meet and interview the main tourism stakeholders of the territory, visit all the tourism attractions and the territory in general, and prepare the technical visit for the practical part of the Initiative.
  6. Delivery: The NTA and the host town coordinate the everyday of the UNWTO Academy.
  7. Report: Once the UNWTO Academy Initiative has finished, the NTA sends to the UNWTO Academy its final report.

The tailor-made UNWTO.ExecutiveEducation initiatives are offered to a maximum of 45 participants, and may be in any topic listed below or in any other topic of the NTA's choice:

Policy and Strategy Planning and Management Marketing Innovation and Technology Economy and Investment Other topics
Tourism Policy and Strategy Tourism Destination Management Tourism Marketing Smart Destinations Understanding tourism in the National Economy Tourism Activity in the Global World
National Tourism Policy Sustainable Tourism Destination Management Digital Marketing Information and knowledge systems Tourism Investment Portfolio Development Introduction to tourism
Tourism Strategy Tourism Strategic Planning Current Trends in Tourism eMarketing Innovation in Tourism Tourism Investment Portfolio Management Global Tourism Trends
Tourism Development Strategies DMO's Management Market Intelligence Innovation in Tourism Products Enhancing the Local Economy with Tourism Tourism for Diplomats
Cultural Routes Tourism Development Strategy Sustainable Management of Tourism Destinations Tourism Product Development New technologies for sustainable tourism Measuring the Tourism Impact in the Economy Political importance of tourism
Partnerships in Tourism Project Management From Product to Experience Social Medial in the Tourism Destination            Social and economic importance of tourism
Gastronomy as a tool for Tourism Competitiveness Crisis Management in Tourism MICE Product Development The Digital Tourist Competitiveness and Sustainability
Sustainable Tourism Strategies for Local Development Heritage Management in Tourism Adventure Tourism Development Innovative Approaches to Destination Branding Quality in the Toursm Destination
Tourism Governance for Local Development Adventure Tourism Management Tourism Routes for Local Development Digila Transformation and its impacts in the Tourism Model Human Capital Development
Tourism as a tool for Poverty Alleviation Public Management of Protected Areas The Tourism Brand Innovative Tourism Experiences Development Leadership in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism and Poverty Alleviation Tourism Management in Environmentally Sensitive Areas Positioning in the Market       Sustainable Tourism Project Development
Tourism Competitiveness for Local Development      Communicating Destination's Sustainabily Tourism and Community Development
    Tourism Communication Tools Tourism and Climate Change
Crisis Communications in Tourism Transformation to the Green Economy
Promotion and Communication in Tourism  
Languages Format Type of initiative
Spanish On-Site Course
English On-Line Seminar
French Blended (on-line & on-site) Workshop
Arabic   Masterclass
  Think-tank
Master degree

The duration of any UNWTO.ExecutiveEducation initiatives may vary according to the topic, the academic approach and learning objectives expected for that initiative, the target audience needs, partners and other matters.

Please find below the different options with the format and type of initiative:

Duration Format Type of initiative
1 day On-Site Course
1-2 days On-Site Seminar
1-3 days On-Site Workshop
2-4 days On-Site Masterclass
5-15 days On-Site Think-tank
3-6 months On-Site Master degree
2-6 months Blended Master degree
1-2 years One-site / On-line / Master degree Master degree

In any situation, the UNWTO Academy is to evaluate if the topic requested is viable for the duration of the training initiative, as to guarantee the quality of the whole training experience.

Example of a 3-day Workshop AGENDA

A 3-day workshop comprises up to 2 modules, practical activities for each module and at least 1 presentation by participants.

The workshop usually also comprises a welcome dinner/cocktail on the first day of the event and possibly a closing dinner on the second or last day of the UNWTO.ExecutiveEducation initiative.

The following agenda is only an example and is to be agreed with all the parties involved in the UNWTO.ExecutiveEducation initiative. Due to the different schedules used in different regions, the timings may be altered accordingly.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
08:30 - 09:15
Inauguration
08:30 - 10:30
Topic & practical acivity
08:30 - 10:30
Topic & practical acivity
09:15-09:30
Official photograph
10:30-11:00
Break
10:30-11:00
Break
09:30-10:30
Course, facilitators and participants' introductions
11:00-13:00
Topic & practical acivity
11:00-13:00
Topic & practical acivity
10:30-11:00
Break
13:30-14:30
Lunch
13:30-14:30
Lunch
11:00-13:00
Topic & practical acivity
14:30-16:30
Topic & practical acivity
14:30-16:30
Participants' group presentations [5' per group + 5'Qs]
13:30-14:30
Lunch
16:30-17:00
Break
16:30-17:00
Closing forum
14:30-16:30
Topic & practical acivity
17:00-18:30
Topic & practical acivity
17:00-17:30
Closing ceremony with certificates
16:30-17:00
Break
   
17:00-18:30
Topic & practical acivity

Example of a 5-day Course AGENDA

A 5-day course comprises 3 modules, practical activities for each module, a presentation on the tourism policy and strategy on the topic of the training initiative by the national tourism administration and another one by the regional/local tourism administration, a fieldwork day, 2 presentations by participants and a few social activities. It is also recommended to propose a visit of the venue town, so participants can have a better understanding of the fieldwork sites reality and a hostistic understanding of the tourist experience.

The course usually also comprises a welcome dinner/cocktail on the day before the training initiative and a closing dinner on the last day of the event.

The following agenda is only an example and is to be agreed with all the parties involved in the UNWTO.ExecutiveEducation initiative. Due to the different schedules used in different regions, the timings may be altered accordingly.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
08:30 - 09:15
Inauguration
08:30 - 10:30
Topic & practical acivity
Technical Visit Fieldwork 08:30 - 10:30
Participants' group presentations [5' per group + 5'Qs] OR Topic & practical acivity
08:30 - 10:30
Topic & practical acivity
09:15-09:30
Official photograph
10:30-11:00
Break

7:30
Bus pick-up

10:30-11:00
Break
10:30-11:00
Break
09:30-10:30
Course, facilitators and participants' introductions
11:00-13:00
Topic & practical acivity
9:00-9:30
Welcoming
11:00-13:00
Topic & practical acivity
11:00-12:00
Group Work
10:30-11:00
Break
13:30-14:30
Lunch
9:30-11:00
Tourist experience
13:30-14:30
Lunch
12:00-13:00
Group presentations on final activity [10' per group + 5'Qs]
11:00-13:00
Topic & practical acivity
14:30-16:30
Topic & practical acivity
11:00-13:00
Fieldwork
14:30-16:30
Participants' group presentations [5' per group + 5'Qs] OR Topic & practical acivity
13:30-14:30
Lunch
13:30-14:30
Lunch
16:30-17:00
Break
13:30-14:30
Lunch
16:30-17:00
Break
14:30-16:00
Group presentations on final activity [10' per group + 5'Qs]
14:30-16:30
Topic & practical acivity
17:00-18:30
Group Work
14:30-15:30
Coordination meeting
[to provide meeting rooms/areas for the groups to work together in fieldwork site]
17:00-20:00
Group Work
16:00-17:00
Closing forum
16:30-17:00
Break
  15:30-17:00
Panel of stakeholders
  17:00-18:00
Closing ceremony with certificates
17:00-18:00
NTA presentation
RTA presentation
17:00-19:30
Group Work
Social activities
18:00-19:00
Group Work
19:30
Bus pick-up
Social activities (preferably visit of the town)  

 

The UNWTO.ExecutiveEducation Initiative adopts a fact-driven practical approach, by presenting state-of-the-art theory through the analysis of real-life case examples and in-class activities, tailored on participants’ knowledge and objectives. The modular structure adopted is conducive of a highly interactive learning experience that blends presentations, case studies, discussions, debates and practical activities.

Each of the modules adopts a similar structure, to facilitate in-class learning. Each module starts with a calibrated mix of theory and practical examples to introduce the main topic, followed by the presentation of real-life case examples which illustrate the details of an empirical use of the theoretical framework, and by a practical activity where participants can put the theoretical framework in practice, tailoring this approach on their reality. Presentations will be brief, conceptual, tool-sharing and highly interactive, combined with discussions and debates.

When format and duration of the initiative is adequate, the practical approach includes a technical visit in an area related to the topic of the initiative. During this field trip, participants conduct fieldwork, interviews, information gathering and other interactive activities with the local community. This technical visit is to be planned in coordination with the National and Local Tourism Organizations / Administrations and the UNWTO Academy.

The participants are expected to give, at least, two main presentations: one on the outcomes of the fieldwork (if applicable) and another one on the final task required (which can be a proposal for a route, a plan…).

Moreover, to make good use of this event, participants may receive (when selected) an introductory booklet with UNWTO publications, articles or other reading material, introducing key issues and concepts needed for the initiative, and might be requested to prepare work/presentations on the subject.

The intention of this approach – the transmission and usage of various tools, the expertise of the experts and participants, the discussion forums and the practical group work – is for participants to fully understand the topics of the event.

The UNWTO.ExecutiveEducation initiatives may be either national, regional or international, and a mix of various types of participants may take part.

When the UNWTO.ExecutiveEducation initiative is either regional or international, international participants may receive scholarships which are to cover tuition fees, full-board accommodation and internal transport.

When possible, we encourage the hosting NTA to offer full-board accommodation and internal transport scholarships, while UNWTO and its UNWTO Academy offer tuition fees scholarships for the same amount of international officials.

In some cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports these events with funds for the expenses of these participants.

In the following grid, the logistics and expenses of the UNWTO.ExecutiveEducation Initiative are specified accordingly:

By Items to be taken care of

Host:

National govermment/

Local govermment/

Other donors

  • Conference room (with coffe-breaks), social activities and field visits
  • International and national transport as well as full board accommodation for experts and UNWTO/THMS staff
  • Academic expenses
  • Logistics organization and coordination
  • Optional: Full-board accommodation for up to 15 international participants.

UNWTO/

THMS/

Other donors

  • International promotion
  • Academic direction
  • Selection of experts
  • Content and pogramme of the training initiative
  • Delivery of ther training initiative
  • Certificates of assistance for the participants
  • Selection of international participants

PARTNERSHIPS IN EDUCATION

PARTNERSHIPS IN EDUCATION

Education, training and research are recognized by the World Tourism Organization as one of the most important factors to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of Tourism Destinations.

PARTNERSHIPS IN EDUCATION

INTERNATIONAL CENTRES

INTERNATIONAL CENTRES

The International Centres associated to the UN Tourism Academy (ICs) are Education & Training institutions that, with the support of their NTA, will become UN Tourism partner institutions for the development and implementation of Tourism Education and Training initiatives. 

INTERNATIONAL CENTRES
UN Academy
Govern d'Andorra