We’re proud to announce the launch of our climate action training programme for destinations, in partnership with Expedia Group, following a successful pilot scheme.
Destination Climate Champions is the first climate action training course for tourism destinations that is free to access. It’s designed specifically for people working in Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), thanks to generous sponsorship from Expedia Group.
The course aims to:
- Teach climate literacy and climate change related to tourism.
- Empower people to lead positive change.
- Outline a plan of action.
- Give access to a network of similar organisations.
How the Destination Climate Champions course works
There are also three facilitated peer-to-peer workshops where you can share solutions and ideas. The programme runs at your own pace, so it’s easy to fit around other work/life commitments.
Each module takes around one to two hours, with extra time needed for tasks; we also offer personalised coaching and training sessions as an optional add-on. By the end of the course, destinations should be ready to create their own Climate Action Plan.
Last year, we piloted the programme with over forty DMOs, in four main locations: Europe, the Pacific Northwest of the US and Canada, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Participants told us that the programme gave them the knowledge and tools needed to develop or improve their organisational Climate Action Plan, and break down a big, complex topic into manageable, bite sized chunks. Other feedback from those who took part told us they gained:
- More confidence in sharing their message with stakeholders.
- Ability to strengthen their business case for climate action and justify the need to invest in it.
- Connections with other destinations that are facing similar challenges.
What the course founders say
“We are thrilled to have partnered with the Travel Foundation to launch the Destination Climate Champions programme. Forty DMOs from around the world joined as pilot participants in 2024, and nearly 50 more have begun the course since in December,” said Aditi Mohapatra, Vice President of Global Social Impact and Sustainability at Expedia Group.
“Adapting to climate change requires a collective effort across the entire travel industry. Through the Destinations Climate Champions programme, we give DMOs the resources they need to better support the complex topic of climate and promote responsible tourism.”
“This programme supports destination leaders to gain vital climate action knowledge and skills,” our CEO, Jeremy Sampson, explains. “It helps tourism professionals from organisations of all shapes and sizes understand how climate change affects their destination and what they need to do about it.
“The training programme comes at a pivotal moment for tourism; there’s an urgent need for a transition to a climate-resilient, low carbon industry that safeguards livelihoods and the future of destinations.”
If you’d like to find out more about the programme or simply sign up for the Destination Climate Champions course, we’d be glad to have you on board. We run the course on a first come first served basis, so don’t wait to register.
What pilot participants said
“The course was very helpful in bringing such a broad and widely discussed topic and ensuring it stayed relevant to the work of DMOS. I felt that I could align what I was learning in every module with my day-to-day work.” Serena Meredith, Visit West, UK
“What I really valued was the opportunity to learn and understand how others are tackling some of the issues – the chance to come together, talk to others, and share learning and experiences.” Richard Drakeley, The National Forest, UK
