Program Overview

CAS Tourismus Excellence Program

The CAS Tourismus Excellence program at the University of Bern is designed to provide comprehensive management competencies tailored to the requirements of the tourism industry. The program enables participants to strategically analyze complex relationships, sustainably deploy digital technologies, and develop innovative solutions for current challenges.

Program Overview

• Start: September 2025
• Duration: September 2025 to June 2026
• Scope: 18 ECTS
• Frequency: Every 2 years
• Flexible entry: No
• Individual modules can be attended: Yes
• Location: Bern
• Language: German
• Admission: Typically requires a university degree and at least 3 years of professional experience. Individuals without a university degree may be admitted on a case-by-case basis, potentially with conditions.

Program Structure

The CAS Tourismus Excellence program consists of 8 modules, each lasting 2 days plus 1 day of self-study. The official certificate is awarded upon passing the intermediate and final exams, as well as successfully completing the module-overarching CAS work, which is accompanied by experts.

Modules

1. Introduction to Challenges and Economic and Political Foundations of Tourism
   • Date: September 18-19, 2025
   • Focus: Comprehensive understanding of the economic and political framework of tourism, analyzing the interactions between tourist demand and supply, and deepening knowledge of the tourist value chain.
2. Management of Tourism Businesses and Destinations
   • Date: October 16-17, 2025
   • Focus: Basic knowledge in managing tourist businesses and destinations, including central terms, actors, and processes of supply design, as well as modern approaches to destination management.
3. Digitalization and AI in Tourism
   • Date: November 6-7, 2025
   • Focus: Intensive engagement with digitalization and artificial intelligence in tourism, learning the practical application of modern technologies and evaluating their potential.
4. Online Marketing and Digital Transformation
   • Date: November 20-21, 2025
   • Focus: Funded knowledge about online marketing strategies and digital transformation processes, learning how to strategically strengthen digital presence.
5. Challenges of the Tourist Labor Market
   • Date: March 19-20, 2026
   • Focus: Current challenges of the tourist labor market, strategies for winning and binding employees, and the importance of training and further education in the context of "New Work" and diversity and inclusion.
6. Overtourism and Tourism Acceptance
   • Date: April 23-24, 2026
   • Focus: Framework conditions, social and ecological impacts of overtourism, as well as approaches to visitor guidance, public relations, and promoting acceptance in local communities.
7. Climate Protection and Adaptation in Tourism
   • Date: May 7-8, 2026
   • Focus: Strategies for reducing CO2 emissions and adapting to climate change, understanding the connections and legal framework, as well as successful projects and best practices.
8. Tourism in an International Context (Specialized Excursion)
   • Date: June 10-13, 2026
   • Focus: International perspectives on tourism through an excursion to Innsbruck, analyzing innovative approaches and discussing topics like resilience, leadership, and innovation with international experts.

Admission Requirements

• University degree (university, ETH, or university of applied sciences)
• Degree from a higher vocational school or equivalent education
• "Sur dossier" admission
• Minimum age 28 years
• Several years of professional experience
• First leadership experience or ambition for a leadership position

Costs

The program fee is CHF 9,999.00, including lunch and excursions.

Leadership and Lecturers

The program is led by Dr. Monika Bandi Tanner and Dr. Adrian M黮ler, with contributions from experienced lecturers from the University of Bern, the University of St. Gallen, the University of Innsbruck, and other institutions, as well as renowned experts and practitioners from key areas of tourism.

Related Programs

• Executive MBA (EMBA) Marketing Management: A master's program that can be composed of various CAS courses, including the CAS Tourismus Excellence, to achieve 60 ECTS points.
• CAS Digital Transformation and AI: A program focusing on digital transformation, AI, and their applications in business.
• CAS Marketing Management and Sales with a Focus on AI: A program that lays the foundation for a leadership role or master's education, focusing on strategic marketing planning, operational aspects, and current developments in marketing.
• CAS Sustainable Development: A program aimed at providing knowledge and skills for sustainable development, in line with the Agenda 2030, offering space for reflection, imparting knowledge, showing fields of action, and accompanying the implementation into practice.