International Students Come to GWSB for Tourism Training

International students at GWSB for an intensive tourism course sponsored by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) visited historic Harpers Ferry, W.Va., as part of their study.

A group of international students took part in a professional tourism development course at GWSB this fall that included lectures on sustainable tourism and a visit to historic Harpers Ferry, W.Va.

About a dozen students from around the world participated in the two-week long course, “Tourism and International Cooperation for Development,” offered in cooperation with the United Nations World Tourism Organization/Themis Foundation at the School.

This is the second edition of the course hosted at GWSB in collaboration with UNWTO. The first was held in September 2011.

The intensive course is designed to train university graduates and professionals in subject areas related to development and international cooperation through tourism.  UNWTO offers such courses around the world.

The two weeks of in-person instruction included tours of Washington, a tourism-assessment visit to Harpers Ferry, and lectures by industry professionals and thought leaders in sustainable tourism, including representatives from the World Bank, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Wildlife Fund, and the National Geographic Society.

UNWTO helps member nations develop education and training plans that improve the quality, competitiveness and sustainability of their tourism sectors.

Students who complete the intensive course are eligible to become part of UNWTO’s volunteer corps.

Posted by gwsb on November 20, 2012 | Filed under: GWSB News.