As Canada marks National Hospitality Worker Appreciation Day and industry leaders gather for Hospitality NL’s annual conference and tradeshow, College of the North Atlantic (CNA) is highlighting the integration of new sustainability courses within its Tourism & Hospitality programs.
The expanding curriculum reflects growing recognition that as the province’s tourism industry expands, so too does the responsibility to protect the natural environments, cultural assets and communities attracting visitors.
“These courses prepare students with the knowledge and practical skills required to understand, evaluate, and implement sustainable tourism practices,” said instructor Kate Furey, adding this helps graduates make more responsible decisions, contributing to long-term success in the industry.
Furey explained longevity for tourism businesses and destinations is tied to sustainability. That’s why CNA worked with leading professionals to comprehensively redesign the Tourism & Hospitality programs. The changes recognize sustainability has evolved from buzzword to business strategy. More information about the programs is provided in the backgrounder below.
For second-year Tourism & Hospitality Management student Ayomide Alabi, the new courses feel urgent yet practical.
“The sustainability courses are exciting because they focus on real challenges currently facing the tourism industry,” he said, adding students are encouraged to think critically and develop practical, responsible solutions that can be applied in real tourism and hospitality operations.
One project that stood out to him involved analyzing sustainability initiatives in tourism, such as eco-certification programs and sustainable infrastructure.
“This project challenged me to evaluate how tourism businesses can reduce their environmental impact while still supporting local communities,” he said. “What I’m learning about sustainability will help me make responsible and informed decisions in my future career by balancing business goals with environmental protection and community well-being.”
That balance between commerce and conservation defines modern tourism leadership.
Daniel Hunt sees it, too. Initially drawn to the program by the prospect of travel, he discovered something closer to home.
“There was something very fulfilling about learning about the proper methods to protect and sustain a destination rather than just learning about the destination itself,” Hunt said, “With Newfoundland and Labrador’s tourism market growing every year, it is immensely important that we appreciate and protect the things we have to offer, work to improve infrastructure, and most importantly, keep our identity.”
Hunt’s work term was one of his favourite parts of the program. He was able to test his skills at Quidi Vidi Brewery, one of the province’s most popular tourist destinations and a homegrown business he was grateful to experience.
There, the value of sustainability knowledge became clear.
“I would follow sustainability practices such as waiting for the dishwasher to fill completely before cycling, drinking from reusable water bottles, and helping repurpose old decorations and supplies into new and fresh-looking ones,” he said. “By following these simple practices, I was almost-instantly recognized as a true asset to the company in my role.”
It’s no surprise to Furey that CNA students stand out.
“Sustainability knowledge provides graduates with a distinct competitive advantage,” she said, noting employers face increasing regulatory requirements. In addition, the public expects employers to integrate sustainable practices into operations.
She explained graduates leave prepared to pursue roles ranging from hotel management and event coordination to destination development and tourism marketing, or to launch their own ventures built on ethical principles from day one.
“The most rewarding part of teaching in this program is seeing students grow their confidence and discover their own career paths within the tourism sector,” Furey said. “Knowing that we have played a role in their success makes this work rewarding.”
On National Hospitality Worker Appreciation Day, CNA celebrates those already powering the industry, and those preparing to lead it.
Hospitality has always been about welcome. Today, it is also about understanding that every visitor experience is intertwined with environmental care, cultural respect and community well-being.
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Media Contact
Ryan Crocker
Manager of Communications
P: (709) 699-8981
E:
ryan.crocker@cna.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER - CNA’s Tourism & Hospitality programs
The one-year
Tourism & Hospitality Services certificate is delivered asynchronously online, offering flexible learning for those balancing work and busy schedules. The program builds essential tourism skills, explores industry groups and trends, includes a six-week field placement, and serves as a common first year with the Tourism & Hospitality Management program, providing learners with a pathway for continued studies.
The two-year
Tourism & Hospitality Management diploma, offered in person at the Prince Philip Drive campus in St. John’s, prepares students for leadership and management roles across the five major industry groups within the tourism sector. Through a blend of practical, theoretical, and experiential learning, including field trips and two six-week field placements, students gain the supervisory and managerial expertise needed to excel in the global tourism landscape.
The 120-hour
Tourism & Hospitality Essentials certificate of achievement offers an overview of the tourism and hospitality industry in Newfoundland and Labrador and provides the option of a pathway to CNA’s credit programs. Participants who successfully complete the courses in this program, can apply for exemptions should they decide to enroll in the Tourism and Hospitality Services program.