UN Tourism.ExecutiveEducation

UN Tourism Executive Education

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UN Tourism’s executive education programs are designed to strengthen the skills and knowledge of tourism professionals across different levels of expertise. We work closely with Member States to identify key priority areas for training and current learning needs, ensuring that our programs respond to national and regional tourism development strategies.

With a global faculty of experts, we deliver high-quality, cutting-edge content through face-to-face, online, and hybrid formats, leveraging the latest innovations in education. UN Tourism has been at the forefront of executive education for tourism for over a decade, successfully training more than 4,000 professionals worldwide.

UN Tourism Executive Education 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

The UN Tourism Executive Education 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 Executive Education 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 UN Tourism 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 UN Tourism proposing: dates, topic (outcomes desired), format, language, place and logistics.
  2. Agreement:
    1. UN Tourism replies and sends an agreement to be signed between UN Tourism, UN Tourism Academy and the host country.
    2. The agreement is signed and received at UN Tourism.
  3. Proposal: UN Tourism 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 UN Tourism Academy.
    3. The NTA, UN Tourism, UN Tourism 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 UN Tourism Academy team up to 4 days before the beginning of the UN Tourism.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 UN Tourism Academy.
  7. Report: Once the UN Tourism Academy Initiative has finished, the NTA sends to the UN Tourism Academy its final report.

The tailor-made UN Tourism 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 StrategyTourism Destination ManagementTourism MarketingSmart DestinationsUnderstanding tourism in the National EconomyTourism Activity in the Global World
National Tourism PolicySustainable Tourism Destination ManagementDigital MarketingInformation and knowledge systemsTourism Investment Portfolio DevelopmentIntroduction to tourism
Tourism StrategyTourism Strategic PlanningCurrent Trends in Tourism eMarketingInnovation in TourismTourism Investment Portfolio ManagementGlobal Tourism Trends
Tourism Development StrategiesDMO's ManagementMarket IntelligenceInnovation in Tourism ProductsEnhancing the Local Economy with TourismTourism for Diplomats
Cultural Routes Tourism Development StrategySustainable Management of Tourism DestinationsTourism Product DevelopmentNew technologies for sustainable tourismMeasuring the Tourism Impact in the EconomyPolitical importance of tourism
Partnerships in TourismProject ManagementFrom Product to ExperienceSocial Medial in the Tourism Destination Social and economic importance of tourism
Gastronomy as a tool for Tourism CompetitivenessCrisis Management in TourismMICE Product DevelopmentThe Digital TouristCompetitiveness and Sustainability
Sustainable Tourism Strategies for Local DevelopmentHeritage Management in TourismAdventure Tourism DevelopmentInnovative Approaches to Destination BrandingQuality in the Toursm Destination
Tourism Governance for Local DevelopmentAdventure Tourism ManagementTourism Routes for Local DevelopmentDigila Transformation and its impacts in the Tourism ModelHuman Capital Development
Tourism as a tool for Poverty AlleviationPublic Management of Protected AreasThe Tourism BrandInnovative Tourism Experiences DevelopmentLeadership in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism and Poverty AlleviationTourism Management in Environmentally Sensitive AreasPositioning in the Market Sustainable Tourism Project Development
Tourism Competitiveness for Local Development Communicating Destination's SustainabilyTourism and Community Development
 Tourism Communication ToolsTourism and Climate Change
Crisis Communications in TourismTransformation to the Green Economy
Promotion and Communication in Tourism 

Languages

Format

Type of initiative

SpanishOn-SiteCourse
EnglishOn-LineSeminar
FrenchBlended (on-line & on-site)Workshop
Arabic Masterclass
 Think-tank
Master degree

The duration of any UN Tourism Executive Education 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:

DurationFormatType of initiative
1 dayOn-SiteCourse
1-2 daysOn-SiteSeminar
1-3 daysOn-SiteWorkshop
2-4 daysOn-SiteMasterclass
5-15 daysOn-SiteThink-tank
3-6 monthsOn-SiteMaster degree
2-6 monthsBlendedMaster degree
1-2 yearsOne-site / On-line / Master degreeMaster degree

In any situation, the UN Tourism 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 UN Tourism Executive Education initiative.

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

Day 1Day 2Day 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 UN Tourism Executive Education initiative. Due to the different schedules used in different regions, the timings may be altered accordingly.

Day 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5
08:30 - 09:15
Inauguration
08:30 - 10:30
Topic & practical acivity
Technical Visit Fieldwork08:30 - 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 UN Tourism Executive Education 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 UN Tourism 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 UN Tourism 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 UN Tourism Executive Education initiatives may be either national, regional or international, and a mix of various types of participants may take part.

When the UN Tourism Executive Education 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 UN Tourism and its UN Tourism 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 UN Tourism Executive Education Initiative are specified accordingly:

ByItems 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 UN Tourism/THMS staff
  • Academic expenses
  • Logistics organization and coordination
  • Optional: Full-board accommodation for up to 15 international participants.

UN Tourism/

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

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

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