Sustainable Tourism Event Planning

Program Overview

The Sustainable Tourism Event Planning program is designed for individuals seeking practical and up-to-date skills in the field of sustainable event management. Developed in response to today’s environmental challenges, this training emphasizes experiential learning and peer collaboration. Through a project-based pedagogical approach, participants are guided to plan, organize, and present an environmentally responsible event within a structured and professionally supported setting.

This program offers a specialization or professional retraining opportunity and is delivered as continuing education, available both online and in-person, in partnership with Collège April-Fortier.

Program Objectives

The primary goal of this program is to help participants develop applied expertise in organizing environmentally responsible events, whether in the tourism industry or the broader event sector.

Upon completion, graduates will be able to:

• Plan an environmentally responsible event project in line with sustainable development goals;
• Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a tourist site or product;
• Design events by integrating sustainable, innovative, and market-oriented practices;
• Collaborate effectively with partners, suppliers, and stakeholders;
• Present, implement, and evaluate an event project that meets environmental and professional standards.

Program Content

The training is structured into six progressive modules, covering all key stages in the planning and execution of a sustainable tourism event:

• Module 1: Introduction to Sustainable Tourism and Event Planning
• Module 2: Analysis and Evaluation of Tourism Products and Services
• Module 3: Design and Improvement of Sustainable Event Projects
• Module 4: Space Planning and Regulatory Aspects
• Module 5: Project Planning, Management, and Logistics
• Module 6: Final Project Presentation and Evaluation

Each module combines theory, case studies, hands-on workshops, and formative assessments, for a total of 45 instructional hours. The training culminates in the presentation of a real event organized by the student teams.

Duration and Schedule

The program consists of 45 hours of training, delivered over 15 sessions of 3 hours each. Courses are available both online and in-person at the Collège Royal du Québec campus, with flexible scheduling options (daytime, evening, or weekend).

Admission Requirements

This program is intended for individuals with a strong interest in event planning and sustainable development. Admission criteria include:

• A high school diploma (DES) or equivalent;
• Professional experience in a related field (tourism, event planning, project management) is considered an asset;
• Proficiency in French or English, both spoken and written;
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office suite).

Applicants must also demonstrate motivation to participate in a team-based project and a commitment to sustainable practices.

Learning Pathway

The program follows a structured and progressive learning path built around practical activities that allow students to apply newly acquired skills. From the early weeks, participants are guided to develop an event project as part of a team.

The educational approach includes hands-on workshops, real case studies, budgeting exercises, oral presentations, and a final team project. A $500 grant is provided by the Collège Royal du Québec to each group to help finance the execution of their planned sustainable event.

Career Prospects

This program fosters the development of in-demand skills across multiple sectors. Graduates may qualify for roles such as:

• Sustainable Event Coordinator
• Sustainable Tourism Advisor
• Development Officer in a municipality or organization
• Project Manager in a company or non-profit organization
• Entrepreneur in the ecological event planning sector

This training also supports career change or skill enhancement for professionals already working in the field.

Training Location

Courses are offered both online and in-person at the Collège Royal du Québec campus, conveniently located near Sherbrooke metro station in Montreal. The learning environment is designed to encourage collaboration, hands-on experience, and knowledge sharing. Students benefit from access to digital tools, diverse instructional resources, and personalized support, optimizing the achievement of their learning goals.

Scolarships

A $500 scholarship is awarded to each group to financially support the execution of their final project, subject to the conditions outlined in the program participation guidelines.

Diploma and Certificates of Excellence

Upon successful completion of all modules and achievement of a minimum final average of 60%, students receive a joint diploma from the Collège Royal du Québec and the Collège April-Fortier, a recognized leader in tourism training in Quebec since 1979. This institutional diploma attests to the successful completion of the program and can be presented to employers as proof of specialized training. Please note that this program is not recognized by the ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur and does not grant college credits.

To highlight outstanding academic achievement and dedication, the Collège Royal du Québec awards Certificates of Excellence to students with exceptional results. These academic honors follow a system inspired by university standards and include the designations Cum Laude (with honor), Magna Cum Laude (with great distinction), and Summa Cum Laude (with highest distinction). These titles are awarded based on the student’s final average, adherence to deadlines, commitment throughout the program, and the overall quality of the final project. These certificates provide significant professional value and are highly regarded by employers and industry partners.