Advanced Diploma in Tourism Strategic Communication
Course Overview
The Advanced Diploma in Tourism Strategic Communication is a 12 to 15-month UK Level 5-equivalent LSTITM programme. It sits within the Tourism Business, Marketing and Operations department and is aligned with the CIM, IDM and Tourism Society study standards, developing senior communications leadership across tourism, destination and travel brands.
By graduation you will lead multi-channel communications planning, own crisis and issues comms for a tourism brand, and drive integrated campaigns across earned, owned and paid channels used by DMOs and travel operators.
Modules combine live senior workshops on integrated planning, applied projects on crisis communication and case-based sessions where managers draft board-ready comms plans. Case examples reference live London tourism board scenarios, so senior vocabulary always maps back to real quarterly communication practice.
Key Features
- Integrated communications planning frameworks from CIM
- IDM-informed direct and digital communications modules
- Live briefs from London tourism boards and OTAs
- Crisis and issues communications simulations
- Templates for spokesperson briefing packs
- Articulation into LSTITM Higher Diploma and honours routes
What You Will Learn
- Lead integrated communications planning for a tourism brand
- Own crisis and issues communications with a spokesperson
- Develop earned, owned and paid channel plans
- Structure media and stakeholder engagement calendars
- Design measurement frameworks for tourism campaigns
- Draft board-facing communications review packs
- Coordinate agency partners and creative reviews
- Align communications with brand and sustainability positioning
- Build a senior portfolio linking campaigns to organisational KPIs
- Coach and develop supervisors across brand and PR teams
Assessment and Delivery
Assessment on the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Strategic Communication blends applied strategic assignments on integrated planning, a senior case portfolio and a final integrated capstone defended in a live viva. Every candidate is paired with a senior supervisor for structured coaching and receives written formative feedback at each stage. On-campus, online and distance learners follow the same schedule of live workshops, executive-style seminars and self-paced practicals, with continued access to the LSTITM secure virtual learning environment after completion.
Who This Course Is For
- Marketing and PR supervisors at tourism boards
- Communications leads at DMOs and OTAs
- Digital marketing managers moving into leadership
- Agency account managers with tourism clients
- Progressors from LSTITM Diploma routes
Career Pathways
- Tourism Marketing Manager
- Tourism Communications Manager
- Brand Manager (Travel)
- Digital Marketing Manager (Travel)
- Tourism Events Manager
- Travel Advertising Executive (senior)
LSTITM careers services support Advanced Diploma graduates with executive CV coaching, LinkedIn refresh and warm introductions to London tourism boards, OTAs, DMOs, integrated agencies and PR consultancies, backed by structured alumni mentoring sessions.
Careers Support and Networks
Advanced Diploma in Tourism Strategic Communication students access senior careers workshops, executive showcase sessions and interview clinics run by the LSTITM careers team. Every candidate receives a senior careers conversation, executive LinkedIn coaching, mock interview practice and warm introductions to comms manager, PR lead and head-of-brand vacancies across London tourism boards, DMOs and agencies, backed by an alumni network.
Industry-Referenced Study
The Advanced Diploma in Tourism Strategic Communication is written with reference to quarterly integrated planning cycles used by London-based tourism boards, DMOs and agencies. Learners work through senior scenarios that mirror quarterly management practice, such as leading a spokesperson briefing during a crisis, coordinating an integrated campaign across paid, owned and earned channels and producing a board-ready communications review pack. Every scenario is anchored to real UK comms practice, and senior managers leave with a portfolio that supports internal promotion or an external comms director application.
Entry Requirements
- A completed LSTITM Diploma or equivalent Level 4 qualification
- Alternatively, 2+ years of relevant tourism or travel-industry 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
Why Study at LSTITM
LSTITM is a specialist division of Harold International College of London focused on destinations, tourism business, travel systems and strategic tourism practice. Advanced Diploma programmes are aligned with the Tourism Society, ITT, ABTA, CIM, IDM, CMI and UKHospitality.
Curriculum authors include former tourism marketing directors, PR leaders and travel brand strategists. LSTITM Advanced Diplomas articulate cleanly into Higher Diploma and honours degree routes, and communications-focused candidates commonly progress to a head-of-comms honours specialisation or an MSc in digital marketing to complete the strategic-communication pathway.
Apply for Advanced Diploma in Tourism Strategic Communication
Applications for the Advanced Diploma in Tourism Strategic Communication are open on a rolling basis and reviewed within a few working days of receipt. Progress into supervisory and strategic tourism practice by submitting your application, statement of purpose, two references and any prior study evidence to LSTITM admissions. Successful applicants receive a personal admissions call, an offer pack detailing senior supervisor allocation, tuition options and start dates, and an invitation to a senior cohort induction with fellow communications-focused managers. International applicants also receive pre-arrival guidance and access to the LSTITM student services team throughout onboarding. Enrol Now
