Learn how to manage destinations through regenerative business models, destination stewardship approaches, and stakeholder engagement methodologies.
We are all under pressure: visitor economies, their host communities, the earth, and the vulnerable. We need a new approach that considers how interconnected networks - social, environmental, and economic - can work together to restore, replenish, and sustain resources and communities.
Join us on a journey to a new mindset as we:
- Discover regenerative business models
- Explore effective destination stewardship
- Embrace stakeholders through slow learning with industry leaders
What will you learn at this course?
Comprehensive Understanding
Learn the key concepts of regenerative systems design, and explore how to use nature-based principles, biomimicry and systems thinking to develop destinations that thrive and flourish.
Strategic Opportunities
Expand your knowledge of sustainable and regenerative destination management approaches, methodologies, best practices and failures.
Practical Guidance
Apply the learning from the sessions (in teams) to enhance your destination's tourism and events strategy and catalyse long-term social, environmental and economic impact.
What is this course about?
In this course, you will be taken on a 3-month journey to explore and develop a new mindset leveraging the latest in regenerative systems thinking.
You will investigate and learn about new regenerative business models, destination stewardship approaches and stakeholder engagement methodologies that enable DMOs to catalyse investment, generate jobs, develop knowledge, equitably distribute prosperity, and deliver unforgettable visitor experiences.
You will learn from destination leaders, experts and each other, to gain new perspectives on what it entails to create, market and steward future fit destinations.
Who is this online course for?
Tourism and DMO professionals who would like to learn an innovative approach towards destination management.
Start date: 04 September 2025
Project preparation time: 30 October 2025 - 23 November 2025
Graduation: 27 November 2025
Allow 1 hour for pre-Module activities and another hour for homework after each Module. The final project will take about 8 hours.
*Express your interest by sending us an email, and we will provide you with information on payment modalities.
**We invite you to help us support students from low-income countries by donating and gifting 50 euros towards their education. Financially challenged right now, but want to learn? We offer a limited number of scholarships, please contact us HERE, explaining why you would love to learn with us and how you will benefit from our scholarship.
GDS-Movement, ICCA and CityDNA members have 200 euros discount. Contact us HERE to get your discount code.

Chief Executive Officer, GDS-Movement Guy Bigwood

Lead Storyteller, GDS-Movement Betsy Reed

Consulting Futurist, GDS-Movement Ed Gillespie

Founding Partner & CCO, Group NAO Peter Rømer Hansen

Relationship Manager (UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria) & Destination Climate Action Expert, GDS-Movement Janie Neumann

CEO & Founding Partner, Group NAO Signe Jungersted

Regenerative Tourism Consultant, Spain & Portugal, GDS-Movement Mònica Molina

Relationship Manager, Nordic Region, GDS-Movement Inge Krogh Larsen

Director of GDS-Events and GDS-Academy, GDS-Movement Milda Salciute

Guest Speakers

Consultant, #Meet4Impact; Regenerative Tourism Consultant, Asia-Pacific (APAC) Region, GDS-Movement Jessica Vandy
Module 1 - Thursday, 04 September, 2025 |
An Introduction to the Regenerative Revolution |
Module 2 - Thursday, 11 September, 2025 |
Building Capacity: Tactical approaches to accelerating transformation |
Module 3 - Thursday, 18 September, 2025 |
The DEI Journey - Social Sustainability in Tourism |
Module 4 - Thursday, 25 September, 2025 |
Demystifying the Climate Jargon: Practical Destination Approaches for Climate Action |
Module 5 - Thursday, 02 October, 2025 |
Visitor Economy Management: Balancing Growth and Regenerative Strategies |
Module 6 - Thursday, 09 October, 2025 |
DMOcracy: Stakeholder engagement, co-creation and governance |
Module 7 - Thursday, 16 October, 2025 |
Storytelling and Communication Strategies for Regeneration |
Module 8 - Thursday, 23 October, 2025 |
Impact Strategy: Enabling, measuring and reporting on social and environmental transformation |
Module 9 - Thursday, 30 October, 2025 |
Funding for Tomorrow: Developing Regenerative Tax Systems |
Module 10 - Thursday, 06 November, 2025 |
From theory to practice: Strategising and purposing the DMO |
Thursday, 27 November, 2025 |
Graduation |
What our students say
'Well-explained with Excellent Case Studies'

'Inspiring and Transformative Experience'

'Stepping Stones for Change'

'Brilliant up to date global resources'

'Highly recommended'

'One of the best decisions this year'
