SDSU Certificate in Cultural Tourism & Tribal Enterprises

January 18 – March 13, 2022 (Level 1)
March 14 – May 8, 2022 (Level 2)

In partnership with San Diego State University (SDSU) and the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, AIANTA is offering the online Certificate in Cultural Tourism and Tribal Enterprises (“CTTE”).

The for-credit certificate, taught by Eric S. Trevan, Ph.D. (Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, Gun Lake Tribe), brings together academic and industry experts who will provide tools to help Native tourism planners develop tribally-specific tourism strategies that sustain a balance between Native cultural environments, economic development, tourism promotion and recreational use.

Students will learn global best practices in the effective organization of Native cultural sites, recreation and tourism programs and leisure-related tribal businesses, including tribal gaming, Native hospitality operations and sacred sites.

Program Details

The CTTE Program consists of two levels (Level 1 and Level 2) with each level including eight weeks of instruction through SDSU Global Campus. The courses are designed to be progressive and participants will be eligible for 3 units of college credit for each level.

Level 1 Courses
January 18 – March 13, 2022

This course explores tribally specific strategies to sustain a balance between tribal cultural environments, economic development, tourism promotion and recreational use. Students will learn effective organization, administration and supervision of tribal cultural sites, recreation and tourism agencies and leisure-related tribal businesses, including tourism agencies, tribal gaming and hospitality operations and sacred sites. The course will also consider issues of social/cultural sustainability, social justice and equity. In addition, students will learn to balance social and economic sustainability, including coordination of tribal tourism development with tribal political, cultural and spiritual concerns.

Level 2 Courses
March 14 – May 8, 2022
This course explores strategies for marketing, financing and assessment specifically related to cultural heritage tourism. Through interaction with guest speakers and case studies, students will learn effective services development, including pricing, promotion, distribution, budget development, revenue generation, assets management and controls. The course will also examine the evaluation and research process as they relate to tribal cultural heritage tourism service development and delivery across multiple tourism segments. In addition, students will have access to management tools for sustainable development and cultural preservation and perpetuation.

About  The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at SDSU is committed to serving students through academic rigor, practical job experience, and leadership training through real world context customized for each student. The School also hosts the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming, the only Institute dedicated to offering a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis on tribal casino operations management.

About SDSU Global Campus

SDSU Global Campus offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from accounting to web design. Additionally, the SDSU Global Campus offers more than 50 certificate programs, online courses, English language programs, and many other learning opportunities locally, regionally, and around the world.