Tourism remains heavily concentrated in regions vulnerable to climate change, where rising temperatures, extreme weather, water scarcity and biodiversity loss are already affecting local communities and visitor economies. As pressures on destinations intensify, DMOs are expected to take a more active role in strengthening resilience and guiding sustainable growth. The Destination Climate Champions programme is designed to help teams gain the knowledge and practical tools they need to respond effectively.
The course has been available globally for nearly a year following successful pilots with selected destinations. It continues to receive strong feedback, with participants reporting increased confidence in applying climate action principles and progress in developing climate action plans. From 2026, the programme will adopt a cohort model, with intakes in January, May and September to enhance peer learning and live engagement.
The training is offered free of charge to staff working in DMOs. It is a virtual, self-paced course developed by the Travel Foundation’s experts in collaboration with Expedia Group. Participants learn how to develop or update a climate action plan, identify and reduce tourism-related emissions, understand climate risks and resilience approaches, integrate climate considerations into everyday decisions, and take part in facilitated peer-learning sessions with other destinations and guest experts. The course includes eight modules, each requiring one to two hours plus additional time for applied tasks. Optional tailored coaching is available from the Travel Foundation’s specialist team.
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Feedback from past cohorts shows the programme’s practical impact. Six months after completion, 87% of participants had begun developing a Climate Action Plan, 75% were applying course tools in their daily work and nearly two-thirds had launched new initiatives or strengthened partnerships with local stakeholders.
Katie James, Learning and Development Lead at the Travel Foundation, said: “Destination Climate Champions has shown that when people working in destination management have the right tools and support, they act. We’ve seen teams take practical steps to reduce emissions, build resilience and make climate-smart decisions that benefit communities and visitors alike. This upcoming cohort is a great opportunity for more destinations to build confidence, strengthen networks and accelerate progress.”
Aditi Mohapatra, Vice President, Global Social Impact and Sustainability at Expedia Group, added: “Addressing climate risk requires collaboration across the tourism sector, and destinations play a central role in steering that change. As demand for responsible and resilient travel continues to grow, Destination Climate Champions helps destination teams turn ambition into action in ways that benefit communities, visitors and the environment.”
Registration is now open for DMOs seeking to join the January 2026 cohort and strengthen their climate resilience strategies for the years ahead.
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