Durango is a destination defined by adventure, culture, history, and connection.

Visitors come to experience mountain landscapes, public lands, outdoor recreation, historic attractions, vibrant arts and culture, and the authentic character that makes Southwest Colorado unique.

Yet the most memorable part of any visit is often the people.

A knowledgeable guide.

A welcoming hotel associate.

A local recommendation.

A shared story about the region's history, trails, communities, or traditions.

These interactions help visitors form deeper connections with the places they explore.

This learning environment was created to help tourism professionals, hospitality teams, community leaders, volunteers, outdoor recreation partners, students, and local advocates strengthen their knowledge, build confidence, and contribute to exceptional visitor experiences throughout Durango and La Plata County.

Because great destinations are built by informed and engaged communities.


Why Tourism Matters

Tourism helps connect people to experiences, communities, and landscapes.

It also supports local economies and contributes to community vitality.

Visitors help support:

  • Hotels and lodging providers
  • Restaurants and local businesses
  • Museums and cultural institutions
  • Outdoor recreation outfitters
  • Arts and entertainment venues
  • Transportation services
  • Events and festivals
  • Local entrepreneurs


Tourism also helps support many of the amenities, experiences, and quality-of-life benefits enjoyed by residents.

When communities understand tourism's role, they are better equipped to create positive visitor experiences while protecting the qualities that make their destination special.


Tourism and Destination Stewardship

One of the most important responsibilities of successful destinations is stewardship.

Destination stewardship focuses on ensuring that tourism benefits visitors, residents, businesses, and future generations alike.

This includes:

Protecting Natural Resources

Helping visitors enjoy public lands, trails, rivers, and outdoor spaces responsibly.

Preserving Local Character

Maintaining the authenticity and culture that make a destination unique.

Supporting Communities

Ensuring tourism contributes positively to local quality of life.

Creating Meaningful Experiences

Helping visitors connect with people, stories, history, and place.

Planning for the Future

Building a tourism economy that remains healthy, resilient, and sustainable.

Education is one of the most powerful tools communities have for achieving these goals.


The Learn Tourism Approach

This learning environment is powered by Learn Tourism, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing tourism through education, workforce development, and innovative learning experiences.

Learn Tourism's mission is to educate, empower, and inspire the tourism industry. 

Every learning experience we create is guided by three principles:

Transformative

Learning should create meaningful change.

Participants should gain practical skills, deeper understanding, and greater confidence that can be applied in their work, organizations, and communities.

Engaging

People learn best when they actively participate.

Our courses encourage exploration, reflection, storytelling, interaction, and practical application rather than passive information consumption. 

Accessible

Learning should be available when, where, and how people learn best.

Through our Education with Empathy™ philosophy, we create flexible and inclusive learning experiences designed to support learners with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and goals. 


Built on Science, Designed for Tourism

Learn Tourism combines expertise in:

  • Adult Learning Science
  • Tourism Education
  • Instructional Design
  • Behavioral Psychology
  • Workforce Development
  • Hospitality Training
  • Community Engagement
  • Learning Technology


Our team applies research-backed methodologies in adult education, behavioral science, and instructional design to create learning experiences that engage learners and drive real-world impact. 

Unlike generic training providers, Learn Tourism focuses exclusively on the tourism, hospitality, and destination management sectors.

This allows us to create educational experiences that reflect the real-world challenges and opportunities facing destinations today.


Tourism Education Creates Stronger Destinations

Destinations thrive when people understand their role in creating positive visitor experiences.

Tourism education helps communities:

Develop Tourism Ambassadors

Building destination knowledge, confidence, and advocacy.

Strengthen Hospitality Skills

Improving communication, service, and visitor engagement.

Support Workforce Development

Creating opportunities for career growth and professional advancement.

Foster Community Pride

Helping residents better understand and appreciate their destination.

Encourage Responsible Tourism

Promoting stewardship, sustainability, and long-term destination success.

Every informed resident, employee, volunteer, and community leader contributes to a stronger visitor experience.


About Learn Tourism

Learn Tourism is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing tourism through innovative educational practices and professional development initiatives.

Today, Learn Tourism supports more than 65 destination and tourism learning environments across North America and beyond, helping destinations strengthen workforce development efforts, improve visitor experiences, and engage stakeholders through education.

Learn Tourism specializes in:

  • Tourism Ambassador Programs
  • Destination Stewardship Education
  • Tourism Workforce Development
  • Visitor Experience Training
  • Hospitality Education
  • Sustainable Tourism Learning
  • Community Engagement Programs
  • Professional Development
  • Learning Experience Platforms
  • Instructional Design and Curriculum Development

Through online learning, webinars, conferences, podcasts, destination-specific training programs, and consulting services, Learn Tourism helps destinations transform learning into action.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is destination stewardship?

Destination stewardship is the practice of managing tourism in ways that benefit visitors, residents, businesses, and future generations while protecting the qualities that make a place unique.

Why is tourism education important?

Tourism education helps improve visitor experiences, strengthen workforce skills, increase community engagement, support local businesses, and contribute to sustainable destination development.

What is tourism workforce development?

Tourism workforce development focuses on helping individuals gain the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to succeed in hospitality, tourism, recreation, visitor services, and related industries.

What is a tourism ambassador?

A tourism ambassador is someone who helps create positive visitor experiences by sharing destination knowledge, offering recommendations, answering questions, and representing their community with pride.

What is Learn Tourism?

Learn Tourism is a nonprofit organization focused on tourism education, workforce development, destination stewardship, instructional design, learning technology, tourism ambassador training, and professional development for tourism professionals.

Continue Learning

The most resilient destinations are built by people who never stop learning.

Whether you're interested in tourism ambassador programs, visitor experience training, destination stewardship, sustainable tourism, workforce development, or tourism leadership, there are always opportunities to continue growing.

Explore More from Learn Tourism

  • Destination Stewardship Resources
  • Tourism Ambassador Training Programs
  • Visitor Experience Education
  • Tourism Workforce Development
  • Sustainable Tourism Learning
  • Professional Development Courses
  • Learn Tourism 365
  • The Business Class Podcast
  • Live Webinars and Workshops
  • Learn Tourism Conference

Visit LearnTourism.org to get started.