George Washington University’s Certificate Program in Sustainable Destination Management

Meet Seleni Matus – Director of the International Institute of Tourism Studies at George Washington University who’s spent more than 15 years developing tourism initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Seleni Matus designed and directed tourism initiatives that have helped to ensure the long-term health of natural ecosystems in Latin America and the Caribbean. These include the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative and the Sustainable Destinations Alliance of the Americas.

Here’s our Q&A with Selini about their certificate program.

What is the Sustainable Tourism Destination Management certificate program?

The International Institute of Tourism Studies at George Washington University offers a certificate program in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management that provides participants with an overview of the key aspects of responsible destination management along with practical, real-world applications.

The curriculum covers strategies and tools for developing tourism products, establishing visitor markets, minimizing the potentially negative impacts of tourism, and enhancing the sustainability of destinations so they remain viable and attractive to visitors while supporting host communities.

👉 Earn Credits Toward a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism at George Washington University.

What do you mean by “sustainable tourism”?

When it’s well-managed, tourism can generate income for local communities and provide them with the incentive to protect their natural and cultural resources.

Too often, that’s not the case.  Tourism dollars end up in the pockets of developers and investors with little interest in maintaining a place’s character or supporting its residents.

Why is sustainable tourism important?

As more people travel, more places are becoming overdeveloped and overcrowded. This phenomenon, which we’re seeing around the world, is known as overtourism and it’s destroying the fabric of the world’s most popular destinations.

Sustainable tourism helps to protect places over the long-term.

What do participants learn in GW’s Sustainable Destination Management courses?

Participants learn different approaches for managing destinations so they’re not destroyed or compromised. For example, they learn strategies for engaging local business-owners in establishing a common vision for sensible and sensitive development.

They learn to create and promote activities that appeal to visitors interested in authenticity rather than homogenized and sanitized activities.

Who generally enrolls in the certificate program?

We have students who are new to tourism and interested in the field or in sustainable development more generally. We also have students who have been working in tourism for years and want to experience their skills and knowledge.

Learn more the Sustainable Tourism Destination Management Professional Certificate

Connect with The International Institute of Tourism Studies on Travel Massive.