The THOR Institute is excited to offer TAH 399: Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism Management as our newest Vacationland course at the University of Southern Maine! Students from across the University of Maine System are invited to join us for this immersive learning experience that highlights both urban and rural regions in Maine.
Join us for the best of both worlds – in Portland and the Katahdin Region – to study sustainable tourism practices in urban and rural regions with diverse place-based experiences. Students will learn about and implement best practices in sustainable tourism management with destination assessments, while building relationships and immersing themselves in their surroundings – both rural and urban!
Students will work closely with community partners in both regions, including Luke’s Lobster and Rocky Bottom Fisheries in Portland, as well as New England Outdoor Center and Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness in the Katahdin Region. These learning experiences will likely include site visits to emerging and established destinations, interviews with local stakeholders and community partners, and tourist and destination assessments in both regions.
This course will run from June 2-6, 2025, with the first half of the week being spent in the Portland area and the second half of the week in the Katahdin Region. This course is being offered at a reduced cost to students with scholarships available. For more information on enrollment, please visit this link.
We look forward to seeing you in June!
Itinerary
Sunday, June 1 –
Check into USM Gorham dorms (if local housing is needed)
USM Gorham (overnight)
Monday, June 2 –
Class at USM Portland (morning)
Working waterfront excursions, Portland (afternoon)
USM Gorham (overnight)
Tuesday, June 3 –
Class at USM Gorham (morning)
Check out of USM Gorham dorms
Depart for UMaine (afternoon) *transportation is available
Drive to UMaine (evening)
Check into Hotel Ursa at UMaine
Hotel Ursa (overnight)
Wednesday, June 4 –
THOR Institute Vacationland Conference at UMaine (morning/afternoon)
Drive to New England Outdoor Center (NEOC), Millinocket (afternoon/evening)
Check into accommodations at New England Outdoor Center & Dinner (evening)
New England Outdoor Center (overnight)
Thursday, June 5 –
Instructional Programming with Wabanaki Partners at NEOC and surrounding areas (morning/afternoon)
Dinner at NEOC (evening)
New England Outdoor Center (overnight)
Friday, June 6 –
Instructional Programming at NEOC and surrounding areas (morning/afternoon)
Depart for USM (afternoon)
Course Conclusion/Arrive back at USM (evening)