Business Class: The Tourism Industry's Podcast

In this episode, special guest host John Percy (President & CEO, Niagara Falls USA) turns the tables on Learn Tourism founder Stephen Ekstrom. Stephen shares his journey from small-town New Hampshire…

Adam Stoker, CEO of Brand Revolt and founder of Tourism IQ, joins Stephen Ekstrom, CEO and co-founder of Learn Tourism, for an open conversation about growth, innovation, and authenticity in the tour…

🎙 From Underdog to Record-Breaker: Mike Testa’s Sacramento Story
In this episode of Business Class, Stephen Ekstrom sits down with Mike Testa, CEO of Visit Sacramento, to explore how a city often ove…

Join us in this inspiring episode as we sit down with Sebastian Torres Calderon, a true exemplar of resilience and adaptability in the dynamic world of property management. From his humble beginnings…

In this special episode of Business Class, the mic flips as Cagdas, a PhD candidate researching digital nomadism and global mobility, interviews our usual host, Stephen Ekstrom. The result is a deepl…

What do donuts in Amish country, curious bison in Wyoming, and 30,000 learners have in common? A passionate conversation about the evolution of tourism marketing and the power of education. In this e…

In this heartfelt and insightful interview, David Gilbert, President and CEO of Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, shares the unique journey that led him to lead two s…

In this candid and thought-provoking episode of Business Class, Stephen Ekstrom interviews Andrew Weir, President & CEO of Destination Toronto, about the evolution of destination leadership, the powe…

In this episode of Learning Tourism's Business Class podcast, host Stephen shares his experiences waking up by Lake Erie and traveling across the U.S. before introducing the distinguished guest, Phil…

In this episode of Business Class, I sit down with Brad Dean, President & CEO of Explore St. Louis, to explore what it really means to lead with heart in the tourism industry. From his unexpected lea…

In the fast-paced world of tourism, where destinations evolve and trends shift constantly, the heart of the industry remains unchanged: the ability to evoke emotion, passion, and excitement. "We are …

In a recent conversation on the Learn Tourism podcast, Stephen Ekstrom, CEO of Learn Tourism, spoke with Jeff Knapp, President and CEO of Visit Bend, about his journey to Bend, Oregon, and the lesson…

Visit York County, led by CEO Andy Clinton, is a thriving tourism organization situated just outside Charlotte, North Carolina. The area, known for its rapid growth, offers a mix of suburban charm an…

Eliza Voss, Vice President of Destination Marketing at the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA), provides fascinating insights into the delicate balance of managing Aspen's tourism while maintaini…

Learn Tourism CEO Stephen Ekstrom sits down with John Urdi, the President and CEO of Mammoth Lakes, California, to delve into the unique challenges and opportunities that come with managing tourism i…

In this episode of Business Class, Learn Tourism Stephen Ekstrom welcomes Tico Soto, the founder of Tourism Tactics by Tico, to discuss his nearly three-decade journey in the tourism industry. With a…

Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Bryan Lavin, a distinguished professor at Johnson and Wales University's College of Hospitality Management. Bryan shares insights from his dis…

In a recent podcast episode of Business Class, Sarah Miller, President and CEO of Destination Ann Arbor, and Tim Crouson, Director of Research at the same organization, shared insights on their roles…

Navigating Destination Management with Purpose: An Interview with Tina Valdecañas

Learn Tourism CEO Stephen Ekstrom interviews Tina Valdecanas, Principal at Clarity of Place, on the latest episode of …

Learn Tourism CEO Stephen Ekstrom interviews Santiago Rodriguez, a Ph.D. in tourism and author of The Tourism Practitioner newsletter on the latest episode of Business Class. Rodriguez offers a deep …