How is the Advanced Diploma delivered?

The Advanced Diploma in Tourism Economic Development Strategy is delivered on-campus in London, online via the LSTITM VLE and by distance learning, giving international students and regional-body staff full flexibility.

What UK level does this Advanced Diploma sit at?

The Advanced Diploma in Tourism Economic Development Strategy is a UK Level 5-equivalent LSTITM qualification aligned with references from WTTC, ITT, CMI and the British Chambers of Commerce.

What are the entry requirements?

You need a completed LSTITM Diploma or Level 4 tourism qualification, or 2+ years of relevant experience. IELTS 6.0 or equivalent English is required for the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Economic Development Strategy.

What is the cost and funding position?

Fees for the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Economic Development Strategy are published on the LSTITM website. Instalment plans, employer sponsorship and international payment options are supported on enquiry.

Adv Dip in Tourism Economic Development | LSTITM | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Advanced Diploma in Tourism Economic Development Strategy is a UK Level 5-equivalent LSTITM programme delivered over 12 to 15 months, focused on the economic-development side of tourism, where destinations, funding bodies and regional partners deploy tourism to grow local income, jobs and quality of life. Sitting within the Travel Systems and Global Tourism department, the Advanced Diploma is aligned with references from WTTC, ITT, CMI and the British Chambers of Commerce.

By graduation you will be able to run a tourism economic-development workstream, analyse economic-impact modelling at a defensible level, coordinate stakeholders, and brief senior sponsors and regional boards on outcomes. You will also complete a supervised project on a real UK or overseas region and defend your impact commentary, stakeholder plan and evaluation framework in a tutor viva at end-point assessment.

The Advanced Diploma is designed for candidates who need to hold real accountability for public-facing tourism spending. Every module lands with artefacts that stand up to public scrutiny: transparent method notes, clear KPIs and evaluation frameworks that treat community and business audiences with the same respect as boards and funders.

Key Features

UK Level 5-equivalent Advanced Diploma articulating into LSTITM Higher Diploma routes
Alignment with WTTC, ITT, CMI and British Chambers of Commerce references
Case studies from UK regional and international tourism programmes
Coaching on economic-impact analysis and reporting
Introduction to funding, procurement and evaluation structures
Guest sessions from regional economic-development leads

What You Will Learn

Run a tourism economic-development workstream from scoping to reporting
Interpret economic-impact models and multiplier calculations responsibly
Coordinate regional stakeholders across public, private and third-sector actors
Analyse job, income and inclusion outcomes from tourism programmes
Follow procurement, subsidy-control and evaluation frameworks
Prepare board and steering-group briefings with clear evidence
Coach diploma-level staff through economic-impact routines
Communicate outcomes to community and business audiences

Who This Course Is For

Regional-body and DMO staff moving into senior economic roles
Consultancy staff supporting tourism-led regeneration programmes
NGO and social-enterprise staff leading tourism-led development
International applicants with Level 4 study progressing to Level 5

Career Pathways

Tourism Data Analyst on regional economic-impact reporting
Distribution Systems Consultant on economic-inclusion projects
Global Tourism Coordinator on cross-region development desks
Tourism Systems Consultant on evaluation reporting
Tour Wholesaler Manager on regional economic partnerships
Ground Handling Manager on regional airport-tourism programmes

LSTITM's careers service supports Advanced Diploma graduates with CV coaching, LinkedIn optimisation and warm introductions to regional economic-development bodies, consultancies and destination-marketing agencies. Graduates progressing into an LSTITM Higher Diploma benefit from continued careers coaching and are frequently placed into department-lead tourism-led development roles at UK regional partnerships and inbound-tourism economic teams within twelve months of completion. Assessment on the economic development Advanced Diploma uses a supervised workstream, an impact-model submission and a defended board briefing, giving graduates senior-workplace-ready evidence they can use in progression conversations at UK regional bodies. The Advanced Diploma also offers optional deep-dive masterclasses on subsidy control, procurement law and evaluation frameworks that increasingly shape UK tourism-led regeneration decisions. Students also present short work-in-progress talks each term to build senior-audience presentation craft alongside economic-development technique.

Entry Requirements

A completed LSTITM Diploma or equivalent Level 4 tourism qualification
Alternatively, 2+ years of relevant tourism or economic-development experience with a statement of purpose
IELTS 6.0 or equivalent English proficiency for international applicants
Two academic or professional references
Access to a computer and reliable internet for online delivery of the Advanced Diploma

Why Study at LSTITM

LSTITM is Harold International College of London's specialist tourism division, delivering destination, business, systems and strategic tourism study. Programmes are aligned with recognised UK bodies including the Tourism Society, ITT, ABTA, CIM, CMI and UKHospitality.

Advanced Diploma students are taught by former development leads and consultants, and every route is supported by LSTITM's careers service and its network of London-based tourism consultancies, regional bodies and destination organisations.

Economic-development Advanced Diploma students on the LSTITM route benefit from a rotating panel of regional-body practitioners who bring live tourism-programme decisions to the room for structured discussion. This exposure to real decisions makes graduates immediately useful in first senior-role assignments at UK regional bodies or overseas equivalents. Alumni-in-residence sessions provide additional peer perspective, connecting current cohorts with recent Advanced Diploma graduates now leading tourism-led development programmes at UK combined authorities, regional partnerships and specialist regeneration consultancies.

Apply for Advanced Diploma in Tourism Economic Development Strategy

Applications for the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Economic Development Strategy are reviewed on a rolling basis and successful graduates articulate cleanly into LSTITM Higher Diploma and honours-degree routes. The LSTITM admissions team welcomes pre-application enquiries so economic-development candidates can plan quarterly modules alongside regional funding-round calendars. International candidates receive additional guidance on visa, English-language evidence and payment routes tailored to their country of residence, and pre-application discussions can be arranged in multiple time zones. Progress into supervisory and strategic tourism practice by submitting your online application today. Enrol Now