TAH 399: Best Practice in Sustainable Tourism Management – Maine (3 credits)
A Tourism, Hospitality, and Outdoor Recreation (THOR) Institute Vacationland Course hosted by USM, open to students from any of Maine’s 7 public universities
Join us for the best of both worlds this June – in Portland and in the Katahdin Region – to study sustainable tourism practices in urban and rural regions with immersive, place-based experiences!
The goals of this class are to learn about and implement best practices in sustainable tourism and hospitality management in two of Maine’s most popular destinations – Portland and the Katahdin Region. University of Maine System students will participate in experiential learning opportunities while building relationships and discovering the duality of sustainable tourism in Maine by comparing rural and urban contexts. We will learn about the cultural histories of these regions, as well, with an emphasis on Indigenous communities in Northern Maine.
Students will complete a destination assessment in Portland, Maine, by interviewing locals (for a community perspective) and acting as a tourist yourself (for a visitor perspective), and a tourist site assessment at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Field trips to hospitality businesses and guest speakers from places such as Luke’s Lobster, New England Outdoor Center, Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness, and Katahdin Woods and Waters will be a part of this class. This will help contextualize students’ understanding of the Maine travel market, empowering them to be creative problem solvers, and preparing them to adopt leadership roles that promote sustainability.
Dates
June 2-6, 2025 (in-person, experiential learning component in the Portland area and at New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket). Prior to the in-person portion of this class, there will be some online reading required. Additionally, a final report will be due two weeks after the in-person portion.
Lodging and Transportation
During the in-person portion of the course, students who are not local have access to housing for the week in USM’s Residence Halls on the Gorham campus and in accommodations at New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket. During the program, transportation will be provided for students to travel between campus and the various activities and site visits as needed, though car-pooling is also an option. Note: Students will be responsible for making their own travel arrangements to get to and from Portland/Gorham.
Faculty
Dr. Tracy Michaud, Associate Professor and Chair, Tourism & Hospitality Program, University of Southern Maine
Cost
We are excited to be offering this course at a reduced cost to students! All enrolled students will receive scholarship funding from the Governor’s Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan which will cover the cost of the activities and accommodations.
Students will also receive a $250 scholarship towards the cost of tuition and fees.
In addition to paying for the remaining balance of tuition and fees, students should be prepared to cover the cost of some meals during the course, personal expenses, and also costs related to arranging their own transportation to and from Portland/Gorham.
How to Enroll
If you are interested in enrolling in this course, please reach out the THOR faculty from your home institution! If you are unsure who that is, a directory can be found here.
Once you are ready to enroll, please complete this brief enrollment form to get the process started.
The priority deadline is April 24. There are limited spaces available and students will be enrolled on rolling basis, so don’t hesitate to reach out!
Additional Questions?
If you have questions about this opportunity, you can reach out to the Program Manager of the THOR Institute, Emily Zider at emily.zider@maine.edu