Certificate Description

Our current linear development model for tourism is no longer resilient and sustainable. In these transformative and unsettled pandemic times, an entirely new approach is required to enable visitor economies, their host communities and nature to recover, flourish and thrive. Destination professionals must resist the temptation to return to the ‘old normal’, and instead catalyse a “systems reset” in the way that destinations are developed, marketed and managed.  


This systemic change requires a regenerative, resilient, and zero carbon growth economic model that gives back to the people and planet more than it takes. A visitor economy that works in harmony with, and not against, nature and within the boundaries of the planet.  


In this course, you will be taken on a 4-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. 


  • Outcome #1

    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.

  • Outcome #2

    Expand your knowledge of sustainable and regenerative destination management approaches, methodologies, best practices and failures.

  • Outcome #3

    Apply the learning from the sessions (in teams) to enhance your destinations tourism and events strategy and catalyse long-term social, environmental and economic impact.

Schedule and Time Commitment

Live sessions are 2 hours. Allow 1 hour for pre-reading and another 1-2 hours for homework, reading and review after each module. The final group project will involve at least 8 hours of work. So that’s a minimum of 40 hours.

You will have access to the course content on the learning management system for 6 months after finishing the course. 

Dates for class 2022 are now confirmed - see the full course description HERE 


Key dates for class 2021/2022:
Start date: 16 November, 2021
Reflection and project preparation time: 10 February - 03 March, 2022
Graduation: 17 March, 2022

Live sessions taking place on a weekly basis 8:30 - 10:30 AM CET. 

Pricing options

*GDS-Movement, ICCA and CityDNA members have 200 euros discount. Contact us HERE to get your discount code. 

**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.

Chief Executive Officer, GDS-Movement Guy Bigwood

LinkedIn
Guy has spent 18 years helping cities, governments, corporations, and associations advance sustainability and regenerative practices. Former Sustainability Director at MCI, his pioneering work has earned 22 sustainability awards, including the Events Industry Council Pacesetter Award, and recognition as a Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.

Consulting Storyteller, GDS-Movement Melissa Baird

Melissa is a communications specialist whose career has spanned publishing, advertising, brand, and marketing development. She has worked with global NGO’s, local government, major brands and was head of strategy at specialised advertising agency Ogilvy Earth. She is a passionate and dedicated teacher and has also developed a range of environmental literacy materials for use at South African schools. Her work with the GDS-Index began in 2015, and she is now Chief Storyteller and Head of Communications for the GDS-M.

Consulting Futurist, GDS-Movement Ed Gillespie

LinkedIn
Ed Gillespie is a keynote speaker, writer, futurist, and serial entrepreneur. He is the Consulting Futurist at GDS-Movement, a facilitator at the Forward Institute, and a a Trustee of Energy Revolution. Ed co-hosts the Itunes chart-topping podcasts 'Jon Richardson and the Futurenauts' and 'The Great Humbling'. He’s also a founder investor and former Chair of online rail business Loco2, now Rail Europe.

CEO, #MEET4IMPACT Geneviève Leclerc

LinkedIn
Geneviève has 25+ years of global experience in congress management and strategic consultancy for associations and destinations. Specializing in sustainability and social impact, she is a content curator, facilitator, speaker, and trainer in the meetings and business tourism industry. In 2019, she founded #MEET4IMPACT to drive positive societal change through events and industry collaboration.

Senior Changemaker, GDS-Movement Claudia van't Hullenaar

Claudia helps advance the transition to conscious and regenerative leadership and businesses. She is also a founder of Sustained Impact as well as a Senior Changemaker at the GDS Movement. Claudia combines 25 years multi-disciplinary, cross functional business and sustainability experience including an 11-year tenure at a Fortune 500 IT company. Here she designed and led the implementation of an award-winning corporate event sustainability strategy. Her passion lies in human potential and genuine transformation, and facilitating collaborative processes for societal impact.

CEO & Founding Partner, Group NAO Signe Jungersted

LinkedIn
Signe Jungersted is CEO and partner in innovation and strategy agency Group NAO. NAO works with strategic transformation and innovation within the experience and visitor economy. Projects include 101sustainableideas.com with Gothenburg and Power of Community with European Cities Marketing.

Founding Partner & CCO, Group NAO Peter Rømer Hansen

LinkedIn
Peter has been a key figure in developing destinations and tourism cooperation across Europe. As Executive Vice President of Wonderful Copenhagen, Peter played a lead role in building a strategic and analytical DMO, taking tourism to new levels with Big Tourism and innovation strategies. He is now Founding Partner and CSO at Group NAO, focusing on strategic work in travel, tourism, and urban development.

Guest Speakers

Over 20 guest speakers from destination management organisations around the world!

    1. Course Description

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Learning Outcomes

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Teaching Methodology & Tools, Time Commitment, Your Faculty & Schedule

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Curriculum: What are the Modules?

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Additional readings and viewings (updated periodically)

    1. Module 1 - Description and Learning Outcomes

    2. Module 1 - Pre-Module Activities

    3. Module 1 - Recording

    4. Module 1 - Presentation slides

    5. Module 1 - Homework

    1. Module 2 - Description and Learning Outcomes

    2. Module 2 - Pre-module activities

    3. Module 2 - Presentation Slides/Part 1

    4. Module 2 - Presentation slides/Part 2

    5. Module 2 - Recording

    6. Module 2 - Homework

    1. Module 3 - Description and Learning Outcomes

    2. Module 3 - Preparations and pre-module activities (part 1)

    3. Module 3 - Preparations and pre-module activities (part 2)

    4. Module 3 - Recording

    5. Module 3 - Presentation slides (Part 1)

    6. Module 3 - Presentation slides (Part 2)

    7. Module 3 - Homework

    1. Module 4 - Description and Learning Outcomes

    2. Module 4 - Preparations and pre-module activities

    3. Module 4 - Presentation slides

    4. Module 4 - Recording

    5. Module 4 - Homework (Part 1)

    6. Module 4 - Homework (Part 2)

    1. Module 5 - Description and Learning Outcomes

    2. Module 5 - Preparations and pre-module activities

    3. Module 5 - Presentation slides

    4. Module 5 - Recording

    5. Module 5 - Homework (Part 1)

    6. Module 5 - Homework (Part 2)