UN Tourism Launches First-Ever Online Training Courses Dedicated to Rural Tourism Development
UN Tourism has unveiled its first-ever Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) dedicated entirely to rural tourism development, marking a significant step toward empowering rural communities through accessible education. The two free courses, now available in English and Spanish, were developed under the organization’s Tourism for Rural Development Programme.
The MOOCs — “Product Development and Marketing for Rural Areas” and “Design Thinking for Rural Tourism Development” — were designed specifically to help rural entrepreneurs, destination managers, and community leaders unlock the potential of tourism as a driver of sustainable economic and social growth.
According to Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director at UN Tourism, the goal is to equip local actors with the knowledge and tools they need to shape their own future. “These MOOCs offer rural communities the tools to discover and make the most of their tourism potential — identifying what makes them unique and designing experiences that are both authentic and sustainable,” she said. “This goes beyond online learning. It is about helping rural destinations shape their future and thrive on their own terms.”
Hands-on Training for Community-Led Tourism
The two online courses form a complete training pathway built to be practical, accessible, and user-friendly. Participants learn how to evaluate tourism potential, engage local stakeholders, and design experience-driven products that reflect the identity, culture, and values of the community.
The course on Design Thinking for Rural Tourism Development introduces a human-centered approach that emphasizes creativity, empathy, and co-creation. Learners engage in tools for ideation, prototyping, and evaluation, working through real challenges faced by rural destinations.
Meanwhile, the Product Development and Marketing for Rural Areas course guides participants through strategies for developing and promoting rural tourism products, including storytelling techniques, branding, and marketing campaigns. Case studies from around the world highlight how rural destinations are leveraging tourism to diversify their local economies.
Open Access and Global Reach
The MOOCs are available to anyone worldwide, including tourism entrepreneurs, local governments, NGOs, academics, and students. By offering free, self-paced learning on the UN Tourism Online Academy, the initiative ensures that even communities with limited resources can access high-level training without financial barriers.
With rural tourism identified by UN Tourism as a catalyst for socioeconomic development, innovation, and youth employment, the launch of these MOOCs represents a major milestone in the organization’s effort to promote inclusive and sustainable tourism.
