Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Marine Excursion Promotion Course

Learn how to turn your passion for the sea into a thriving business. This course gives you the tools and strategies you need to attract customers, design memorable experiences and maximize your revenue. You will master digital marketing, booking management and the safety information customers expect, so that your marine excursions stand out in a competitive market.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
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About the program

What is the Marine Excursion Promotion Course?

This short course prepares you to promote and sell marine excursions, from whale and dolphin watching trips to license-free boat hire. You will study current trends in coastal and nautical tourism, the types of excursion and the boats most often used, seasonality and the basic safety rules that must be communicated transparently to customers; verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, storytelling and welcome protocols at the point of sale; the direct sales process, handling objections about price, seasickness or the weather, up-selling and real-time booking software; promotion on Instagram, TikTok, TripAdvisor and Google Business Profile, geo-targeted advertising and influencer marketing; and after-sales follow-up, reviews, complaints, loyalty programs and KPIs.

What sets this course apart: it covers the whole commercial cycle of a marine excursion, from the first approach on the quayside or at a hotel stand to the review the customer leaves afterwards; it focuses on selling an emotional experience at sea rather than a transport ticket; it combines face-to-face selling with digital promotion and online reputation; and it gives you practical tools, such as booking software, objection handling and KPIs, that you can apply to your own excursions from day one.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Nautical tourism market: trends, types of excursion, boats, seasonality and basic safety rules.
  • Customer communication: active listening, storytelling and welcome protocols at the point of sale.
  • Direct sales: step-by-step process, objection handling, up-selling and closing bookings.
  • Real-time booking software to speed up the purchase and maximize occupancy.
  • Digital promotion: Instagram and TikTok, TripAdvisor and Google, geo-targeted ads and influencers.
  • After-sales and loyalty: reviews, complaint handling, loyalty programs and KPIs.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Marine Excursion Promotion Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Foundations of the nautical tourism market and types of recreational boat

  • 1.1. Analysis of current trends in sun-and-beach tourism and the growth of recreational activities in the nautical sector
  • 1.2. Detailed classification of marine excursions, from whale and dolphin watching to license-free hire of recreational boats
  • 1.3. The technical features of the boats most commonly used in the sector, to support the sales pitch
  • 1.4. Tourist seasonality and how to adapt the excursion offer to the high, mid and low season at the destination
  • 1.5. Basic regulatory framework and essential safety requirements that must be communicated transparently to prospective customers
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Effective communication strategies and personalized service for nautical customers

  • 2.1. Verbal and non-verbal communication skills for actively attracting customers in port and hotel settings
  • 2.2. Active listening techniques to identify the tourist's specific needs and offer the excursion that best suits them
  • 2.3. The art of storytelling: how to sell an emotional experience at sea rather than a simple transport ticket
  • 2.4. Welcome and first-contact protocols to build immediate trust at the point of sale or promotional stand
  • 2.5. Use of foreign languages and basic technical terminology to serve international tourists in coastal areas
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Direct sales techniques and tactics for closing bookings of marine activities

  • 3.1. The sales process step by step, from the first approach to final confirmation of payment for the chosen excursion
  • 3.2. Methods for handling and resolving common objections about price, seasickness or weather conditions
  • 3.3. Suggestive selling or up-selling to enhance the customer's experience with additional services on board
  • 3.4. Technology tools and real-time booking management software to speed up the customer's purchase
  • 3.5. Closing strategies based on limited places or last-minute offers to encourage an immediate decision
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Digital marketing and social media promotion for the marine leisure sector

  • 4.1. Optimizing the business profile on visual social networks such as Instagram and TikTok to show the appeal of marine routes
  • 4.2. Creating high-impact audiovisual content: tips for photographing and filming the sea, marine wildlife and life on board
  • 4.3. Strategic management of online reputation on TripAdvisor, Google Business Profile and nautical platforms
  • 4.4. Geo-targeted advertising campaigns to reach tourists who are physically at the destination
  • 4.5. Influencer marketing: working with content creators to give the excursions visibility and build trust
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Service quality, after-sales and traveler loyalty in the nautical setting

  • 5.1. The importance of follow-up after the excursion to make sure every sales promise has been kept
  • 5.2. Techniques to encourage customers to leave positive reviews and photos of their experience on the main digital platforms
  • 5.3. Handling complaints and claims: turning a negative experience into an opportunity to improve and win the customer back
  • 5.4. Loyalty programs and special discounts for repeat customers or referrals to friends and family
  • 5.5. Analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of promotion and sales actions
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Marine Excursion Promotion Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Marine Excursion Promotion Course

01Increase the visibility and appeal of excursions with persuasive descriptions and high-quality visual material that highlight the unique strengths of each trip and reach a wider audience.
02Communicate the safety measures behind every excursion clearly, so customers understand the emergency and evacuation protocols, the drills and the first-aid provision that protect them on board.
03Optimize the customer experience during the excursion by anticipating needs and expectations and personalizing the interaction to create positive memories.
04Promote the environmental sustainability of marine activities, presenting responsible practices that minimize discharges and respect MARPOL rules and the marine environment as part of the offer.
05Develop effective communication with customers, adapting the message, listening actively and handling objections to build strong relationships and resolve conflicts.
06Understand how routes are planned around weather, currents and sea state, so you can explain itineraries, timings and possible changes to customers with confidence.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Marine Excursion Promotion Course

01Nautical tourism operatordesigning and selling tourist packages, managing bookings and customer service.
02Marine excursion sales and promotion agentattracting customers in ports, hotels and promotional stands and closing bookings.
03Travel agent specializing in nautical tourismadvising on and selling excursions, cruises and sea-related activities.
04Tourist information officer in the maritime fieldproviding information on routes, points of interest and tourist resources.
05Nautical events promoterorganizing and promoting regattas, festivals and other sea-related activities.
06Social media and online reputation manager for excursion companiescontent, reviews and digital campaigns.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Marine Excursion Promotion Course

All kinds of marine excursions offered to tourists, from whale and dolphin watching and coastal boat trips to license-free hire of recreational boats.

It focuses on promoting and selling excursions: communication with customers, direct sales, digital marketing, reviews and loyalty. Guiding groups at sea is a different subject.

The direct sales module covers the most common objections and methods to answer them honestly, together with up-selling and closing techniques.

Instagram and TikTok for visual content, TripAdvisor, Google Business Profile and nautical platforms for reputation, plus geo-targeted advertising and work with influencers.

No. The course teaches promotion and sales. Operating or skippering a boat requires the qualification issued by the competent authority, which this course does not replace.

The last module shows how to define and analyze KPIs for promotion and sales, and how to use reviews and customer feedback to improve the offer.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at people with experience in tourism, preferably in marine or sea-related activities, or with training in tourism, marketing, sales or similar, including active tourism companies, tour guides and environmental educators; communication and customer service skills, persuasion and knowledge of a coastal area and its attractions are helpful, as are foreign languages and basic notions of navigation, first aid and maritime safety.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and software to view PDF documents.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $196 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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