Learning resources
23 October 2025
UN Tourism launches free online training for rural development
Learning resources
23 October 2025
Rural tourism
Best practices, peer learning and networking
Tourism strategies
+11 more
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The UN Tourism has introduced two free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) dedicated to rural tourism development. Aimed at destinations wanting to build sustainable, community-led travel offers, these courses are available in English and Spanish and hold particular relevance for European rural regions. Read more at: https://www.untourism.int/news/un-tourism-launches-online-training-on-tourism-for-rural-development-en.pdf.
UN Tourism
UN Tourism
Topics
EU-27
Academic / Research and VET Institutions
Cultural and Heritage Organisations
Destination Management & Marketing Organisations
Regional Authorities
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Specific types of tourism
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Rural tourism
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Transition Pathway Strategic Areas
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Best practices, peer learning and networking
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Tourism strategies
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Training opportunities
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Business activities
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Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism
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Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks
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Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities
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Gardens and nature reserves activities
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Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation
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Museums
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Operation of historical sites
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Other
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Recreational and sport activities
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Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)
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The UN Tourism agency has unveiled its first-ever online training suite explicitly designed to support rural tourism development. These MOOCs—titled “Product Development and Marketing for Rural Areas” and “Design Thinking for Rural Tourism Development”—are available at no cost and target a broad audience, including destination managers, local officials, tourism entrepreneurs and NGO staff.
Rural areas across Europe are facing unique pressures: lower population density, infrastructure gaps, and the need to diversify their economies. At the same time, they hold great potential for authentic tourism offerings rooted in local culture, nature and community participation. These new courses offer practical tools to turn that potential into reality. They cover how to assess and leverage rural assets, design visitor-friendly experiences grounded in local values, engage stakeholders meaningfully, and craft strong branding and marketing narratives. The design course, in particular, brings human-centred methods such as empathy, co-creation, and prototyping into tourism development processes.
For European regions seeking to increase their visibility, improve services and attract purposeful visitors, this opportunity is especially timely and relevant. By supporting rural destinations’ capacity to develop sustainable tourism offers, the initiative also aligns with broader goals of inclusive growth, balanced regional development and resilience against tourism fluctuations.
Enrollment is free, available year-round, and participants can complete the training at their own pace. Access and register via UN Tourism’s online platform to begin learning practical strategies for local, resilient and innovative rural tourism development: https://www.untourism.int/news/un-tourism-launches-online-training-on-tourism-for-rural-development-en.pdf.
#Rural tourism #Sustainable tourism #Destination management #Capacity building
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