Chris Adams is Head of Research & Insights at Miles Partnership, a global tourism marketing and management agency. Chris has worldwide experience in senior tourism, marketing, and sustainability roles across the US, New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific, and the UK. This includes almost 20 years at Miles Partnership, the last 12+ as its Head of Research & Insights in charge of the company’s extensive research programs and partnerships. Recent initiatives include programs on community and resident engagement, climate change action, tourism taxation & funding, and how travelers can be influenced to travel more responsibly.

Amongst a range of tourism and sustainability volunteer roles, Chris is on the US Travel’s Research Advisory Board and is co-founder and a project lead of ‘Travel with Care’ – a major not-for-profit knowledge-sharing platform on responsible traveler education and marketing.

Joseph is a Professor of Sustainable Tourism, at Western Sydney University, Australia. He is a past Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Global Future Councilon the Future of Sustainable Tourism, past board member of PATA, advisory board member of UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages, and consultant for the 2025 19th UN Tourism Asia-Pacific Executive Training Programme. Joseph Co-Chairs the American Association of Geographers, Recreation, Tourism & Sport group, and International Geographical Union (IGU) Commission on Tourism,

Leisure and Global Change. He is an adjunct professor at Wakayama University (Japan), Hainan University (China) and University of Johannesburg (South Africa). Joseph is Co-Editor-in-Chief of Tourism Geographies. He has published many books, journal articles, and papers for The Conversation, World Economic Forum, UNESCO, ADB, and Global Research Institute. He has led keynotes and workshops in China, Macau, India, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka,

Vanuatu, UAE, Thailand, Europe and the US.

Randy Durband has had two careers in travel and tourism – twenty-plus years in senior leadership positions at some of the finest U.S. tour operators, having served as President for Travcoa, INTRAV, and Clipper Cruise Lines, (brands within TUI Travel plc), plus Executive Vice President of Tauck World Discovery. Following that, in his second travel and tourism career, Randy advanced the work of Sustainable Tourism as an advisor, consultant, and speaker.  He brings his knowledge of the business of travel, his global network of travel professionals, and a passion for sustainability to support the GSTC and the general sustainable tourism movement. He has held several board positions and committee memberships in travel and tourism organizations, and is a frequent speaker on sustainable tourism issues. In 2024, Randy Durband was honored to be included in The Independent’s prestigious Climate 100 List, recognizing extraordinary individuals at the forefront of the global fight against climate change for their innovation, commitment, and transformative leadership toward a sustainable future.

Wendy is the National Programs Director at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), where she works closely with public sector agencies to adopt and implement the GSTC Standards and sustainability framework. Before joining GSTC, Wendy was a tourism specialist at the World Bank for eight years and served as the technical lead on nature-based tourism. In that role, she oversaw the development of tools, knowledge products, and capacity-building initiatives to support stakeholders in delivering sustainable tourism with greater benefits for people and the environment. Wendy holds a Master of Tourism Administration from George Washington University and lives in Washington, DC.

Marita is originally from Wales and is an economist by background. She describes herself as a reluctant entrepreneur. The first 12 years of her career were as a public servant in the UK and in Fiji the Pacific Community and the German Agency of International Cooperation (GIZ) on climate change policy and finance.

She co-founded Talanoa Treks in 2013 with her husband, as a way to do something more practical to support grassroots conservation and climate resilience and co-founded the Duavata Sustainable Tourism Collective in 2017, a group of 20 values-align operators who believe that tourism should have community, conservation and culture and its heart and needs to do better to support regenerative practice.

She also founded and manages a sister consulting firm, Talanoa Consulting, that supports a collective of Pacific consultants to accelerate the localisation of the development consulting space, specialising in climate change, disaster risk reduction, agribusiness and food security, natural resource management, small business development and sustainable tourism.

She is an active member of the Women's Entrepreneurship Business Council, NatureFiji-MareqetiViti and the Suva Marathon Club.

Natalie Kidd is the Managing Director, Asia and Head of Global Operations at Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest provider of adventure travel experiences. Natalie joined Intrepid in 2005 as the founding General Manager of the first vertically integrated

DMC, based in Hanoi Vietnam. Over the years she grew this one DMC into a global network of 25 inbound tour operators. She has previously held the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief People and Purpose Officer also with Intrepid. Natalie holds a Masters of Business Administration (AGSM), a Master of Asian Studies (UNSW)

and Bachelor of Arts/Asian Studies (USyd) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ (AICD) director program.

Natalie has also served as board director of GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council).

Jennifer Loh is the CEO & Co-Founder of Travaras, a regenerative travel marketplace redefining tourism as a force for good. With 15+ years in the travel industry, Jennifer’s career spans hotel operations, sustainability, and travel tech. She led the LEED certification at Hyatt Regency Maui, helped bring tours online at Peek, and launched the Americas region for GetYourGuide. These experiences shaped her vision for Travaras: a platform that supports local communities, honors culture, and protects the planet. Jennifer holds an Executive MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, where she focused on sustainability and innovation.

Kristin Dunne is the founder and Vice President of Destination Wayfinder™, an industry-led, evidence-based framework empowering destination organizations in their stewardship role. A passionate advocate for regenerative tourism, Kristin joined Miles Partnership in 2021 following her transformative tenure as Chief Executive of Tourism Bay of Plenty in New Zealand. There, she pioneered one of the world’s first destination stewardship strategies, Te Hā Tapoi | The Love of Tourism, integrating indigenous wisdom, regenerative principles, and community participation to guide sustainable destination management.

Kristin’s work fostered deep partnerships with iwi (tribes), supporting the revitalization of cultural sites, language, and authentic storytelling. She also established an indigenous business capability program, resulting in the growth of 14 new or enhanced Māori tourism enterprises. She has extensive experience in crisis leadership, having led major destination responses during the Rena oil spill, the Whakaari | White Island eruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kristin co-created Te Ūnga Mai, an award-winning professional development program, and co-authored Te Tōnui, a widely respected whitepaper on the evolution of tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand. She currently serves as deputy co-chair of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, a trustee of the New Zealand Tourism Trust, and a board member for Destination Hauraki-Coromandel. Kristin is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Certified Professional Company Director.

Karla leads the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation with a clear focus: ensuring tourism brings lasting value to the people of the Cook Islands. With deep roots in both destination marketing and community engagement, she brings a grounded, inclusive approach to leadership—one that recognises tourism as a tool to support cultural pride, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity. Under her guidance, the Cook Islands is redefining its tourism model to better reflect local priorities and long-term resilience. Karla is passionate about creating meaningful partnerships, supporting regional collaboration, and ensuring that growth is guided by what matters most to the people who call the islands home.

Brad works across the full spectrum of tourism development in the Cook Islands—shaping strategy, supporting community efforts, and helping local operators build capability on the ground. His focus is on shifting tourism from a volume-driven model to one that genuinely puts people and place first. That means planning for long-term value, not short-term gains, and making sure tourism supports what matters most to local communities. From visitor education and workforce development to industry support and destination planning, Brad’s work is about helping tourism grow in a way that’s sustainable, inclusive, and resilient—without losing sight of what makes the Cook Islands special.

Dr. David Ermen is the Managing Director of Destination Capacity Ltd., with 20 years of global experience in tourism and sustainability. Through his company, he advises tourism destinations, companies, and development organizations on strategies to enhance governance and promote destination stewardship. David has worked across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, helping public and private entities align tourism initiatives with community and environmental goals. As a trainer for the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), he has led workshops worldwide, fostering sustainable tourism practices and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. He is a sought-after speaker, known for driving positive, long-term change in the tourism sector.

Dr. Bricker is Associate Dean of the Hainan-Arizona State International Tourism College (HAITC). She completed her Ph.D. research with the Pennsylvania State University, where she specialized in sustainable tourism and protected area management. She has research and teaching interests in ecotourism, sense of place, community development, natural resource management, value of nature-based experiences, and the impacts of tourism. She has authored and edited books on sustainability, which highlight case studies in tourism meeting environmental and societal issues, such as Sustainable Tourism & the Millennium Development Goals: Effecting Positive Change; and most recently, co-edited This Land Is Your Land: Toward a Better Understanding of Nature’s Resiliency-Building and Restorative Power for Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans, and Their Families (Sagamore Publishing, LLC), among others. Dr. Bricker serves on the boards of the GSTC, the Tourism and Protected Area Specialist Group of the IUCN, and Tourism Unity. With partners in OARS and her husband, she developed an ecotourism operation called Rivers Fiji.

Jim Sano is the World Wildlife Fund’s Senior Travel and Tourism Advisor. He serves on community-based conservation travel programs and engagement with private sector, government, and NGO tourism organizations. Jim was formerly President of Geographic Expeditions, an adventure travel company that offers educational travel, location management, and sustainable travel consulting services. Before joining Geographic Expeditions, Jim served as a ranger with the

National Park Service. His responsibilities included overseeing naturalist and interpretive programs, member master planning, and search and rescue teams. Jim is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Travel Council. He is also a Tompkins Conservation Tourism Advisor and has served on the boards of the Mono Lake Foundation, Natural Step, Yosemite Restoration, Trust for Public Land, and WWF’s National Council. Jim is the recipient of five National Park Service Special Achievement awards. He led the rarely attempted Lho Pass-West ridge Everest expedition, and the first guided crossing of South Georgia Island.

Raquel began her professional journey in sustainability in 2019 as Sustainability Manager at Six Senses Douro Valley and is now the Sustainability Director at Six Senses Fiji. With a background in Biotechnology, she found a meaningful path in hospitality, where she could drive impactful environmental change. Growing up in Portugal’s Douro Valley, surrounded by nature and raised in a farming family, she developed a deep respect for the land and its resources. These values have deeply influenced her career shift, aligning her professional path with her personal passion for sustainability.

Nature is where Raquel finds peace and inspiration, and it continues to be her source of solace and motivation. She enjoys hiking and running, and marveling at breathtaking sunrises or sunsets. Since relocating to Fiji, she has embraced diving, which has opened up a vibrant underwater world and deepened her commitment to protecting all ecosystems.

Dwayne Bentley is the Project Coordination Officer for the Australian Government funded Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). Since January 2023, he has supported efforts by Pacific island countries to reduce single-use plastic marine litter. With nearly 20 years in travel and tourism, Dwayne transitioned into environmental management to support sustainable development in the region. Under his guidance, POLP works with the Pacific Tourism Organisation to phase out single-use plastics and strengthen the resilience of the tourism industry in the Pacific.

Andrew Leary is the Principal of the Travel and Tourism Practice at Coraggio Group, where he has been leading since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in sustainable tourism, Andrew has held various leadership roles, including Director of Sustainable Tourism and Partnerships at Leave No Trace, where he worked from 2015 to 2024. Additionally, Andrew has been an expedition ski guide for PolarExplorers since 2013, guiding North Pole expeditions. He holds a Master’s in Adventure and Outdoor Program Design from the University of Utah and is committed to promoting sustainability and outdoor leadership in tourism.

My name is Jerome Mafutuna, I hold a bachelor's degree in fisheries science. As the lead of the Coral Gardeners Xperience department in Fiji, I focus on integrating education with active participation. My aim is to ensure our guests not only gain knowledge about marine conservation but also play a direct role in improving the health of our reefs. Through our restoration efforts, I strive to foster a strong bond with the ocean and create a lasting positive impact.

Emma Padilla is a seasoned travel industry professional and currently serves as Key Account Manager at Booking.com in Auckland, New Zealand, with over 15 years of experience across cruises, corporate marketing, and online travel. Since joining Booking.com in 2016, she has progressed from Account Manager to leading key partnerships that drive business growth and enhance partner success. Prior to this, she spent eight years with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines as a Future Cruise Sales Manager, where she developed strategic sales initiatives and led guest engagement programs onboard. Emma also held a marketing role at Beca Corporate Holdings, providing creative and administrative support across regional campaigns.

Roi Ariel has been focusing on responsible travel and sustainable tourism over the past decade. In his role at GSTC, Roi manages the organization’s memberships, communications, events and operations. He previously worked with UN-ESCAP researching sustainable development and green growth in Southeast Asia, and on sustainability issues with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Prior to his move to Asia, Roi worked with Friends of the Middle East in Israel as the Green Economy Initiative Advisor. Roi holds a master degree in Applied Economic and Social Development from the National Chengchi University in Taipei, and a bachelor degree in International Relations and Comparative Religion from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. With his master thesis titled “Common Pool Resource Management and Benefit Distribution in Community Based Tourism”, he speaks as a guest lecturer at universities and presents at academic conferences.

Dr. So Young Lee has a passion for human behaviour against nature. Her master research on local community’s perception on protected areas and world heritage sites has led on to further research on qualitative assessments in development projects and sustainable management. With her Ph.D research on ‘Enhancing Interactive Innovation in the Rural Areas of Europe through Evaluation: Quantitative Network Analysis and Qualitative Self-Evaluation Tools’ she is interested in how stakeholders can bring in innovative solutions to their programs/projects through self-evaluation and qualitative assessments. At GSTC she is responsible for data inventory management, such as filing of successful case studies according to the GSTC Standards. She also supports other GSTC initiatives.

In 2010, Takeshi founded Sustainavision Ltd. in the UK with the aim of building a bridge between Japan and Europe in the fields of sustainability. Based in London, he has provided training and conducted research related to sustainability for Japanese companies. Since 2012, he

has regularly organized the “CMI Approved Certified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Training” in Japan. In March 2018, he established the Sustainable Restaurant Association Japan in collaboration with the Sustainable Restaurant Association in the UK. The organization began its activities to support restaurants in taking leadership in sustainability,

and to build a system that enables sustainability across producers, consumers, and the entire food system. He serves as Chair of the Sustainable Restaurant Working Team within the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' Food Tech Public-Private Council and published “The Japanese Chef’s Manifesto for a Sustainable Future: 17 Guidelines Toward 2030”. He is also a prolific speaker and writer.

Jon Peahl works at the intersection of health, safety, and tourism. He was the aggregating force behind Qurator, Hawaii’s community-sourced comprehensive responsible tourism certification system which incorporates diverse topics like food safety, cultural preservation, and worker equity. Previously, he launched SanSee, a Covid-19 safety system for the travel industry. He has promoted Public Health and Human Rights in Indigenous Communities in North America and the Pacific, and worked on land, sea, and in the air with organizations like the CDC, the Red Cross, and Saturday Night Live. A grateful resident of Hawai’i, Jon has a JD from University of Arizona. At Oregon State University he completed his Masters coursework in epidemiology and earned a bachelor’s in Geography. In addition to career successes, he also starred in a failed reality show and was the health officer on the only night Covid-19 ever cancelledHamilton.

Roi Ariel has been focusing on responsible travel and sustainable tourism over the past decade. In his role at GSTC, Roi manages the organization’s memberships, communications, events and operations. He previously worked with UN-ESCAP researching sustainable development and green growth in Southeast Asia, and on sustainability issues with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Prior to his move to Asia, Roi worked with Friends of the Middle East in Israel as the Green Economy Initiative Advisor. Roi holds a master degree in Applied Economic and Social Development from the National Chengchi University in Taipei, and a bachelor degree in International Relations and Comparative Religion from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. With his master thesis titled “Common Pool Resource Management and Benefit Distribution in Community Based Tourism”, he speaks as a guest lecturer at universities and presents at academic conferences.

Dev manages Reef-World's Programmes with over a decade of experience in interdisciplinary development leadership roles. They have worked with communities in projects and campaigns on natural resource management, sustainable tourism, and circular economy, as a former Executive Director of a Philippine conservation NGO, and later as a consultant for projects with the USAID, GIZ, WWF and ADB. Dev was a Professional Fellow on Sustainability in Oregon USA, a graduate of Swedish Institute Management Programme on Sustainable Business, a recipient of their hometown's Governor's Conservation Achievement Award, and a Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow named by Tatler Asia for their work on nature conservancy. Dev presently resides in Siquijor Island in the Philippines, and also serves on the board of the Association of Young Environmental Journalists. Their 2023 TEDx talk “What the wilderness tells us about our future” speaks of the indigenous and spiritual dimensions of their life's calling.

Helen Sykes is the director/ owner of the private sector consulting firm "Marine Ecology Consulting", which offers a variety of services in coral reef research across the Fiji Islands. Initially from England, she has lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, the Caribbean, Central America, and has been in Fiji for the past 25+ years. Arriving in Fiji in 1996, she and her partner, Stuart Gow, worked as managers of one of Fiji's premium dive resorts on Taveuni; Garden Island Resort, before forming their own company, Resort Support, in 1997, to offer marine biology and tourism consultancy services within the Fiji Islands. In 2006 the technical wing, Marine Ecology Consulting, was formed in response to an increasing demand for Marine Assessments as part of Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Management Plans under Fiji’s Environmental Management Act of 2005. The company works at several levels in coral reef research, undergraduate student programmes, and ecotourism development in Fiji, and offers advice and training to several village based community managed ecotourism ventures, as well as larger resort operations. Helen is one of the Fiji coordinators for Reef Check and the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), and has authored several national reports such as IUCN’s “Fiji’s Biophysically Special and Unique Marine Areas” (SUMA) and WCS’s “Contribution of Marine Conservation Agreements to Biodiversity Protection,

Fisheries Management and Sustainable Financing in Fiji”. In 2024 she contributed to the SPTO / SPREP publication “Responsible Wildlife Viewing Guidelines: A guide to industry best practice for viewing marine wildlife in the Pacific.

Dr. Frank Keith Griffin is the Executive Director of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat. He has over 20 years of experience in government, intergovernmental, and international organizations, including leadership roles at the University of Papua New Guinea and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Dr. Griffin holds a PhD from the University of York (UK), an MSc from the Australian National University, and science degrees from the University of Papua New Guinea.

Under his leadership, CTI-CFF has advanced regional collaboration on marine protected areas, ecosystem-based management, and sustainable coastal tourism across six Coral Triangle countries. He is known for his inclusive and partnership-driven approach to conservation and development.

Chia-Lin is a storyteller bridging sustainable tourism and marine conservation, based in Taiwan, and the author of The Blue Frontier of Taiwan. She also serves as a consultant for the Community-Based Marine Conservation Project promoted by Taiwan’s Ocean Conservation Administration. With a global perspective and years of experience in journalism, she covers sustainable tourism and marine sustainability efforts, including diving, island ecotourism, coral reef restoration, and community-based marine protection. Through in-depth reporting and underwater exploration, she raises public awareness of eco-friendly travel, marine protection, and ways to practice sustainability in daily life.

Beyond journalism, she actively engages in education and advocacy, collaborating with schools, NGOs, governments, and businesses to promote responsible tourism and marine protection. Through talks and workshops across Taiwan, she encourages public participation in ocean conservation and sustainable travel. Chia-Lin believes that compelling stories and cross-sector collaboration are keys to advancing marine sustainability and helping people reconnect with our ocean planet.

Penny Spoelder is a globally recognised expert in sustainable tourism and investment, with a strong track record delivering high-impact projects across the Asia-Pacific. She has worked with leading organisations including the UNDP, UNESCO, ADB, IUCN, PSDI, and the World Bank.

Penny was a key architect of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework and the GSTC-recognised Destination and Industry Standards, developed in collaboration with 19 Pacific nations. She has also authored the Pacific Marine Tourism and Cultural Tourism Guidelines and recently led the development of Tourism Fiji’s Strategic Plan.

She is currently the tourism advisor to the SWITCH-Asia Pacific Programme, supporting sustainable tourism policy reform and capacity building throughout the region.

Outside of work, Penny is an international dragon boat athlete and recently represented Australia at the World Championships in Brandenburg,  Germany in July.

Penny was a key architect of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework and the GSTC-recognised Destination and Industry Standards, developed in collaboration with 19 Pacific nations. She has also authored the Pacific Marine Tourism and Cultural Tourism Guidelines and recently led the development of Tourism Fiji’s Strategic Plan.

She is currently the tourism advisor to the SWITCH-Asia Pacific Programme, supporting sustainable tourism policy reform and capacity building throughout the region.

Outside of work, Penny is an international dragon boat athlete and recently represented Australia at the World Championships in Brandenburg,  Germany in July. 

With over 18 years of experience in the tourism sector, Ms. Campbell has worked across government, NGOs, and community-level projects with a focus on sustainability, education, and environmental stewardship. She began her career in The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s Ecotourism Department, gaining hands-on exposure to tourism operations throughout the islands. Now serving as a Senior Manager in the Sustainability Department of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and

Aviation, she leads initiatives that bridge government, NGOs, and

communities—promoting sustainability education, environmental responsibility, and inclusive tourism.

Ms. Campbell holds a BSc from St. Mary’s University (Canada) and an MSc from the University of the West Indies. She has also pursued additional certifications, including UNWTO certification in sustainable tourism with George Washington University, and has facilitated GSTC training in over 10 Bahamian destinations. As Project Lead for the

national Destination Stewardship Council Initiative, she champions community-driven tourism models that protect natural heritage and empower local voices.

Marzeta Bodden is the Deputy Director, Tourism Product Development for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. Since 2001, she has worked with organisations in aviation, tourism, education, and financial services, holding positions in both the private and public sectors. This includes work with Cayman Airways, a leading offshore law firm, and the Cayman Islands Government. In her role, Marzeta leads the development of a resilient, sustainable tourism product aligned with the National Tourism Plan. She provides strategic guidance on tourism policy, manages cross-sector collaboration, and oversees a team responsible for initiatives spanning cultural tourism, environmental stewardship, accommodation

licensing, education and training, and customer service at the ports of entry. Marzeta holds a Master of Science in Marketing Management from the University of Surrey, dual Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Finance and Marketing from Florida International University, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)® with the Project Management Institute.

"Paul Pio is the Director of the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Trade and Commerce in Vanuatu, with over a decade of executive leadership experience spanning the tourism, aviation and cruise sectors. He currently leads the implementation of Vanuatu’s Sustainable Tourism Policy 2030,overseeing national strategies in tourism resilience, decentralization, standards enforcement and investment facilitation. Paul has played a central role in major national recovery efforts, including the

Vanuatu Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program and the Economic Stimulus Package following the COVID-19 pandemic and twin cyclones. He has also held key roles in the national tourism council, aviation taskforces and regional trade committees. Previously, he led international marketing for the Vanuatu Tourism Office and held senior leadership roles with Air Vanuatu. With strong diplomatic, policy, and strategic marketing credentials, Paul brings a regional voice to sustainable tourism that

balances economic growth with local empowerment, resilience, and long-term ecological stewardship.

Jenny Leewai Bourke, from Labasa in Northern Fiji, is of Indigenous Fijian and Chinese heritage and a true pioneer of sustainable tourism. Long before eco-travel was a global trend, she built and operated Nukubati Island Resort as a fully self-sufficient, community-led destination. Her work has empowered local villagers—especially women—by training them in hospitality and encouraging the sharing of traditional ecological knowledge. Jenny’s approach weaves together conservation, cultural authenticity, and community upliftment.

Under her leadership, Nukubati has restored local biodiversity through initiatives like living seawalls, soil regeneration, and reforestation. Her immersive guest experiences help travellers connect deeply with nature and culture, making sustainability feel personal and tangible. Jenny remains a leading voice in place-based tourism, showing how adventure travel can regenerate ecosystems and support communities for generations to come.

Dr. So Young Lee has a passion for human behaviour against nature. Her master research on local community’s perception on protected areas and world heritage sites has led on to further research on qualitative assessments in development projects and sustainable management. With her Ph.D research on ‘Enhancing Interactive Innovation in the Rural Areas of Europe through Evaluation: Quantitative Network Analysis and Qualitative Self-Evaluation Tools’ she is interested in how stakeholders can bring in innovative solutions to their programs/projects through self-evaluation and qualitative assessments. At GSTC she is responsible for data inventory management, such as filing of successful case studies according to the GSTC Standards. She also supports other GSTC initiatives.

"Estefanía del Azar is the Communications Manager for GSTC, she has a solid background in advertisement and marketing. With an entrepreneurial mindset, she co-founded her own advertising agency, working for almost a decade with various agencies and media companies. Estefanía holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and PR from Antonio de Nebrija University, as well as an MBA and other management and leadership courses, such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Team and Talent Management, and Online Marketing. She is a passionate learner about technology, innovation, and sustainable travel. In addition to her professional work, Estefanía volunteers in her community by leading its book club. She is based in Madrid, Spain.

Estefanía del Azar is the Communications Manager for GSTC, she has a solid background in advertisement and marketing. With an entrepreneurial mindset, she co-founded her own advertising agency, working for almost a decade with various agencies and media companies. Estefanía holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and PR from Antonio de Nebrija University, as well as an MBA and other management and leadership courses, such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Team and Talent Management, and Online Marketing. She is a passionate learner about technology, innovation, and sustainable travel. In addition to her professional work, Estefanía volunteers in her community by leading its book club. She is based in Madrid, Spain.

Estefanía del Azar is the Communications Manager for GSTC, she has a solid background in advertisement and marketing. With an entrepreneurial mindset, she co-founded her own advertising agency, working for almost a decade with various agencies and media companies. Estefanía holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and PR from Antonio de Nebrija University, as well as an MBA and other management and leadership courses, such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Team and Talent Management, and Online Marketing. She is a passionate learner about technology, innovation, and sustainable travel. In addition to her professional work, Estefanía volunteers in her community by leading its book club. She is based in Madrid, Spain."

Yujeong is a Park Ranger, who has worked for the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) for seven years focusing on the planning and operation of community cooperation projects to promote sustainable protected area management. She is also engaged in internatilnal initiatives such as ODA projects and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) through the headquarters' International Cooperation Department. Currently pursuing graduate studies in sustainability at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management, Yujeong is particularly interested in developing local community-based programs that support both conservation and local resilience.

Yujeong is a Park Ranger, who has worked for the Korea National Park Service (KNPS) for seven years focusing on the planning and operation of community cooperation projects to promote sustainable protected area management. She is also engaged in internatilnal initiatives such as ODA projects and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) through the headquarters' International Cooperation Department. Currently pursuing graduate studies in sustainability at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management, Yujeong is particularly interested in developing local community-based programs that support both conservation and local resilience.

Dr. You Hyun Jang is the Director of the International Cooperation Team at the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), where he oversees tourism ODA programs and collaborates with international bodies such as ASEAN, OECD, PATA, TPO, and APEC. From 2022 to 2025, he served as Executive Director of KTO’s Los Angeles office, leading inbound marketing efforts, MICE promotion, and cross-industry initiatives. With a career at KTO spanning more than two decades, he has been posted in Germany and at the Geumgangsan branch office in North Korea. Dr. Jang holds a Ph.D. in Tourism from Hanyang University and a Master’s in Tourism from George Washington University.

Stefano Ravelli is the President of the GSTC Italy Working Group and a leading figure in sustainable tourism, with over 20 years of experience in destination management. His career has been marked by a strong commitment to aligning tourism development with the well-being of local communities, most notably through his leadership of Valsugana Lagorai in Trentino. Under his guidance, Valsugana became the first destination in the world to achieve GSTC certification in 2019, setting a global example for sustainability in practice. Stefano has played a key role in promoting international sustainability standards across Italy, fostering collaboration between public and private sectors, and encouraging integrated approaches that link environmental care, social inclusion, and economic vitality. He has also represented Italy in international forums and was instrumental in establishing the Sustainable Tourism District of Trentino, helping to strengthen cooperation between destinations through a shared vision for responsible tourism.

Joel Katz has served as the Managing Director of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia since 2016, following an extensive career in cruising and hospitality, with roles both at sea and in hotels across the UK, Europe, Central Asia, and Australia. In his current role, Joel leads a team dedicated to promoting and developing the cruise industry in the Australasian region through trade relations, industry training, and advocacy on behalf of CLIA's Cruise Line Members. Before the pandemic, Joel played a key role in positioning the region as one of the fastest-growing cruise markets globally in terms of population penetration. Under his leadership, CLIA Australasia has experienced significant growth in membership and has been instrumental in showcasing the cruise sector's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, further reinforcing the industry's focus on responsible destination management.

Born in The Islands of Tahiti, Vaihere Lissant is a graduate of a leading business school and began her career in marketing consultancy in Paris. Upon returning to The Islands of Tahiti in 2010, she continued her career in marketing within the telecommunications sector. Since joining Tahiti Tourisme in 2014, she has held key leadership roles, culminating in her position as Chief Marketing Officer for the past decade. Her responsibilities have included destination branding, multi-market communication strategies, and the management of marketing, communication, and web marketing services, both locally and internationally. She also oversaw the launch of Tahiti Tourisme’s 18 B2C websites and digital tools, ensuring the organization’s global reach and efficiency. More recently, as part of French Polynesia’s 2030 Sustainable Tourism Plan, she has collaborated closely with the local tourism authorities to drive long-term strategic initiatives. Appointed as CEO of Tahiti Tourisme in May 2025, Vaihere brings to the role a deep understanding of the destination, a strong commitment to sustainable tourism, and a passion for protecting and sharing what makes The Islands of Tahiti unique — the beauty and culture of her homeland with the world.

Andrew Leary is the Principal of the Travel and Tourism Practice at Coraggio Group, where he has been leading since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in sustainable tourism, Andrew has held various leadership roles, including Director of Sustainable Tourism and Partnerships at Leave No Trace, where he worked from 2015 to 2024. Additionally, Andrew has been an expedition ski guide for PolarExplorers since 2013, guiding North Pole expeditions. He holds a Master’s in Adventure and Outdoor Program Design from the University of Utah and is committed to promoting sustainability and outdoor leadership in tourism.

Christopher Cocker is a Tongan national and is the CEO of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation. He has over 20 years’ experience and expertise in Pacific trade, investment global tourism marketing and promotion. Before joining SPTO in June 2016, he was a short-term consultant with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) based in Suva, Fiji, the Project Manager for the EU-funded Pacific Regional Tourism Capacity Building Programme (PRTCBP) administered by the SPTO (2013-2015) and prior to SPTO, he was the Marketing Officer for the EU-funded Increasing Commodity Agriculture Trade (IACT) project administered by SPC. 

His previous work posts based in Auckland, New Zealand, include Trade Commissioner of Pacific Trade & Invest (PT&I) and Senior Programme Manager, Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF). Earlier in his career he was the Marketing & Memberships Services Manager at SPTO promoting regional tourism in global markets.

Karla leads the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation with a clear focus: ensuring tourism brings lasting value to the people of the Cook Islands. With deep roots in both destination marketing and community engagement, she brings a grounded, inclusive approach to leadership—one that recognises tourism as a tool to support cultural pride, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity. Under her guidance, the Cook Islands is redefining its tourism model to better reflect local priorities and long-term resilience. Karla is passionate about creating meaningful partnerships, supporting regional collaboration, and ensuring that growth is guided by what matters most to the people who call the islands home.

Originally from Texas, Morgan is the Director of Sustainable Tourism at the Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau. With a background in wildlife research and tourism, she went on to earn a Master’s in Sustainability from Harvard, where she focused on sustainable tourism. She now leads the Park City's destination management efforts, including the Sustainable Tourism Grant program and the implementation of the Sustainable Tourism Plan, a 10-year strategic framework guiding Park City’s long-term vision as a destination. When she’s not working, you’ll find her out on long bike rides, hiking in the Wasatch, cooking Cajun food, traveling, or checking out local art and food spots.

Kiri Goulter has extensive experience in sustainable tourism, destination management, and stewardship, with a career built on real-world implementation across national, regional, and local levels. She has led transformational initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand, including shaping the country’s destination management agenda, authoring its national Destination Management Guidelines, and leading an award-winning programme that strengthened the leadership and strategic capacity of New Zealand’s RTOs, embedding stewardship principles into practice. Kiri is known for navigating complexity, aligning vision with action, and building trusted relationships across government, industry, and communities. Her bold, collaborative, and solutions-focused approach draws on systems thinking, with a strong focus on governance and structures, to deliver integrated strategies that achieve lasting outcomes across environment, culture, economy, and community. Internationally, she contributes to global tourism conversations as both a thought leader and practitioner, supporting destinations and organisations to shape better, more sustainable futures through tourism.

Jason Lin is currently engaged in a climate tech SaaS startup dedicated to aiding the global hospitality and tourism industry in achieving net-zero emissions. His passion for sustainable tourism sector rebuilding amidst COVID-19 has driven this initiative. With over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, Jason specializes in global growth strategy, cross-border marketing, direct sales, and data-driven advertising. From 2010 to 2019, he focused on market expansion across the Asia Pacific region, particularly in Greater China, ASEAN, and North Asia. He has served various clients, including government agencies, travel companies, multinational divisions, and lifestyle brands such as Discover Financial, Volcom, Spotify, China UnionPay, Department of Commerce, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, and Tourism Fiji, among others.

Christopher Hancock serves as the Senior Director of Global Procurement and Environmental Programs at Destination Canada, supporting the organization’s 2030 Strategy to embed sustainability and climate action across Canada’s visitor economy. He leads a team responsible for global procurement, supplier management, and environmental sustainability programs, designing and implementing strategies that integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities across operations and stakeholder partnerships. Through strategic planning, sustainable supply chain practices, and vendor engagement, Christopher ensures Destination Canada delivers long-term value while supporting climate resilience and inclusive prosperity. He is a respected voice in Canada’s shift toward purpose-driven tourism, using data, innovation, and collaboration to inspire industry transformation.

Susana Vicente is successfully leading the ESG strategy at Peninsula Papagayo, a luxury destination located in the North Pacific of Costa Rica, featuring Four Seasons and Andaz resorts, a Marina, a private residential community and a future Ritz-Carlton Reserve Hotel and Residence. Susana has a background in Law and Business, a Master’s in Sustainability and extensive experience in the third sector, finance and philanthropy. In her current role, Susana is committed to engaging and aligning all stakeholders to prove that balancing luxury and sustainability with the highest practices is possible. With a holistic approach, she is focused on reducing impact in critical areas such as water, waste, emissions or poverty, and on creating hands-on guest experiences that leave a positive footprint. She has recently led the expansion of the largest coral restoration project in Costa Rica - one of the most popular guest experiences on Peninsula Papagayo.

jessie is the Global Impact and Sustainability Analytics Manager at Rosewood Hotel Group, where she develops systems to track the Group’s programmes across over 50 hotels, enhancing accountability for Rosewood Impacts, a purpose-driven roadmap dedicated to fostering mutual enrichment between people and places. Believing that measurement and evaluation are foundational for strategic planning and optimisation, she demonstrated this earlier this year by leading the effort to secure GSTC certification for 47 hotels.

This accreditation exemplifies how continuous measurement and evaluation during annual audits drive improvement, particularly as stakeholder demands for sustainability grow. Before joining Rosewood, Jessie built a strong track record in stakeholder engagement, data reporting, and supply chain management in sustainability across the finance, retail, and hospitality sectors.

Susanne Becken is a Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Griffith University in Australia where she focuses on research related to the science-policy-practice interface of transforming tourism. Susanne is a member of the Travalyst Independent Advisory Group, the EarthCheck Research Institute, the Te Araroa Trail Advisors, and the New Zealand Government Tourism Data Leadership Group. She is an elected Fellow of the International Academy of the Study of Tourism. In 2019, she was awarded the prestigious UNWTO Ulysses Award for her contribution to tourism knowledge.

Dev manages Reef-World's Programmes with over a decade of experience in interdisciplinary development leadership roles. They have worked with communities in projects and campaigns on natural resource management, sustainable tourism, and circular economy, as a former Executive Director of a Philippine conservation NGO, and later as a consultant for projects with the USAID, GIZ, WWF and ADB. Dev was a Professional Fellow on Sustainability in Oregon USA, a graduate of Swedish Institute Management Programme on Sustainable Business, a recipient of their hometown's Governor's Conservation Achievement Award, and a Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow named by Tatler Asia for their work on nature conservancy. Dev presently resides in Siquijor Island in the Philippines, and also serves on the board of the Association of Young Environmental Journalists. Their 2023 TEDx talk “What the wilderness tells us about our future” speaks of the indigenous and spiritual dimensions of their life's calling.

Christina Leala-Gale is the Sustainable Tourism Manager at the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), a role she has held since 2017. In this position, she spearheads SPTO's efforts to empower its Pacific Island Member Countries in destination stewardship and management. Christina is instrumental in driving the implementation of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework to support regional tourism collaboration for achieving national development goals as well as the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and key regional and national priorities.

With a rich background in tourism sector planning and development, Christina previously managed a regional climate change adaptation project for Pacific Island countries at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). Prior to that, she dedicated over a decade to the Samoa Tourism Authority and served as Manager of Planning and Development.

Christina is an alumna of the University of the South Pacific (USP), holding qualifications in both Economics and Tourism and Hospitality Management. Her unique blend of expertise makes her a driving force in fostering resilient and sustainable tourism across the Pacific.

Max Smith is the Founder & Managing Director of Content With Purpose (CWP), a strategic content creator that works in partnership with leading member bodies and associations; engaging professionals on their industries' role in creating a better tomorrow.

Max has over 13 years of experience in building strategic partnerships with industry leaders across the globe, including consulting for ITN a leading news producer in the UK.

Driven by his dedication to sustainability, Max founded CWP in 2020 to focus entirely on purpose-led storytelling. He leads the company in uncovering, creating and sharing stories that inspire action, cultivate hope, and pave the way for a future where every individual and organisation recognises their potential to contribute to a better society and a healthier planet.

Max is also Co-Founder & Board Trustee of Montagne Verte, a non-profit based in Morzine, France, which was established in 2019 and aims to help the local community transition towards low-carbon living.

Tiffany’s focus is on sustainable tourism, particularly in destination stewardship, responsible recreation, and nature-based tourism. Her role at GSTC includes communications and Destination program support. Prior to joining GSTC, Tiffany held various positions in tourism, from business development and marketing to client services. She is a jury member for two international tourism film festivals and a volunteer at the Destination Stewardship Center. Tiffany holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Tourism Management from the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria in Portugal and an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in International Development Studies, Economics, and Psychology from the University of Toronto in Canada.

Dr. Bricker is Associate Dean of the Hainan-Arizona State International Tourism College (HAITC). She completed her Ph.D. research with the Pennsylvania State University, where she specialized in sustainable tourism and protected area management. She has research and teaching interests in ecotourism, sense of place, community development, natural resource management, value of nature-based experiences, and the impacts of tourism. She has authored and edited books on sustainability, which highlight case studies in tourism meeting environmental and societal issues, such as Sustainable Tourism & the Millennium Development Goals: Effecting Positive Change; and most recently, co-edited This Land Is Your Land: Toward a Better Understanding of Nature’s Resiliency-Building and Restorative Power for Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans, and Their Families (Sagamore Publishing, LLC), among others. Dr. Bricker serves on the boards of the GSTC, the Tourism and Protected Area Specialist Group of the IUCN, and Tourism Unity. With partners in OARS and her husband, she developed an ecotourism operation called Rivers Fiji.

Amy Breckon is Senior Program Officer, Coastal Tourism and Development for the World Wildlife Fund. In this capacity, Amy is responsible for executing WWF’s coastal tourism strategy focused on global and destination level action. At the global level, she’s focused on activating existing global guidance and WWF’s Nature Positive Oceans Pathways for coastal tourism. At the destination level, she’s working to advance collaborative, science-based, land/seascape-scale destination approaches. Amy got her start in conservation in the US on the waters of coastal Maine, piloting aluminum skiffs to monitor the recreation management of islands on the Maine Island Trail. Amy spent eight years in varying leadership roles at the Conservation Alliance for Seafood Solutions, facilitating cross organization collaborative projects and supporting relationship-building for collaborative impact. Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Analysis and Policy from Boston University.

Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, co-founder and president of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, navigates the intricate relationship between tourism and environmental stewardship in Phuket. With diverse experience in the travel industry, including leadership roles within the Phuket Tourism Association, Bhummikitti spearheaded initiatives like the Phuket Sandbox during his presidency. He also presented plans for the Expo 2028 Phuket event in France. Recognizing the need for sustainable practices, Bhummikitti co-founded the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation in 2022, with support from partners including the Phuket Hotels Association and Phuket Chamber of Commerce. The foundation focuses on initiatives such as Food (Before) Waste and green financing for SMEs. Currently serving as president, Bhummikitti also advises the Phuket Tourism Association.

Litia Mario serves as Executive Officer at the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, where, as part of her role, she oversees the Association’s sustainability initiatives. Over the past year, she completed the GSTC Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism and is currently involved in the development of Industry Standards for Fiji. These standards will support the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation’s upcoming sustainable practices recognition program that is being considered as part of the tourism legislative review process.

Joseph is a Professor of Sustainable Tourism, at Western Sydney University, Australia. He is a past Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Global Future Councilon the Future of Sustainable Tourism, past board member of PATA, advisory board member of UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages, and consultant for the 2025 19th UN Tourism Asia-Pacific Executive Training Programme. Joseph Co-Chairs the American Association of Geographers, Recreation, Tourism & Sport group, and International Geographical Union (IGU) Commission on Tourism,

Leisure and Global Change. He is an adjunct professor at Wakayama University (Japan), Hainan University (China) and University of Johannesburg (South Africa). Joseph is Co-Editor-in-Chief of Tourism Geographies. He has published many books, journal articles, and papers for The Conversation, World Economic Forum, UNESCO, ADB, and Global Research Institute. He has led keynotes and workshops in China, Macau, India, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka,

Vanuatu, UAE, Thailand, Europe and the US.

Anaseini (Ana) is a marketing professional with just over a decade of experience within the telecommunications, aviation and tourism industry.  Her passion lies in promoting Fiji as not just a travel destination, but a vibrant, sustainable and culturally rich brand that leaves a lasting impression on every visitor.  Ana plays a supporting role in shaping and executing the organization’s global consumer marketing strategies. She oversees daily marketing activities, drives major global campaigns, and ensures that Tourism Fiji’s owned channels and international partnerships deliver a unified and authentic message about Fiji’s unique culture and natural beauty. 

With her deep-rooted love for her island home and a strong background in destination marketing, Anaseini brings both heart and strategy to everything she does and is committed to sharing the beauty, warmth, and unique stories of Fiji to the world.

Ivan Anthony Henares, PhD is a tourism educator, cultural policy researcher, and advocate for heritage conservation in the Philippines. He is Secretary-General of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, Commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism .

At present, he is also President of the ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Committee, Chairperson of the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance, Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society, and Philippine Committee President of the International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage. He was named one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in the field of Heritage Conservation in 2012.

Dr. Henares received his PhD in Hospitality and Tourism Management and Graduate Certificate in Environmental Policy from Purdue University (2017-2018 Fulbright-CHED Scholar). He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Master of Business Administration and Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning degrees all at the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana is an innovative leader in the tourism sector, renowned for her expertise in Indigenous tourism, destination stewardship, strategic planning, and purposeful engagement. With

over 25 years of experience, Kylie has worked extensively with indigenous communities and small groups to create sustainable, values-based tourism models that honour cultural integrity and foster

economic resilience. Her approach combines deep community engagement with strategic foresight, ensuring tourism initiatives align with the aspirations of local communities and future generations.

As Managing Director of TRC Tourism, Kylie leads transformative projects that integrate cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and meaningful visitor experiences. She has been instrumental

in developing destination management plans with strong destination stewardship frameworks, and Indigenous-led tourism initiatives across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific. Her leadership is

characterised by a commitment to sustainable growth, collaborative partnerships, and empowering communities to tell their stories authentically. Kylie is also the owner of an award-winning whānau (family) tourism business offering a view to the natural world through a Māori cultural lens.

Matthew is a destination strategist, change leader, and idea generator. For nearly a decade, his work has been focused on helping destinations think strategically about their organization, their visitor economy, and their place. He has helped state tourism agencies and local DMOs across the country with Destination Sustainability Planning, strategic planning, and change management. He founded Whereabout in 2021 to focus his work around his belief that every destination can achieve a healthy balance between a robust visitor economy, protection of natural resources, and resident quality of life. He is frequently invited to speak at conferences throughout the U.S. on topics such as destination resilience, destination strategy, and regional collaboration between destination organizations.

Prof. James Daniell is a civil/structural engineer, geophysicist and geologist specialising for nearly two decades in global stochastic and real-time financial, social and environmental risk modelling and software packages for insurance, governments and the tourism industry building global destination data analytics, historic loss data, exposure, engineering and socioeconomic models for hotels and infrastructure. He currently works on global projects as a founder and CEO (Analytics) at Risklayer GmbH, a risk modelling company based out of Karlsruhe, Germany and Adelaide, Australia, and as a Lead Disaster Risk Management consultant with the World Bank. He holds a doctoral degree (Dr.-Ing) in Engineering from KIT in Germany where he is also a research scientist, a Masters in Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology from UJF Grenoble in France and University of Pavia in Italy & an Honours in Civil/Structural Engineering and a BSc (Geology/Geophysics) from University of Adelaide in Australia, where he is also a Professor (adjunct).

Mr. Geoff Hyde M.Sc. (Tourism Planning/Development Economics), B.A. (Leisure Planning) is the Owner, Managing Director and Principal Consultant of Sustainable Tourism International Ltd. (STIL, www.sustainabletourismint.com), a registered tourism consultancy company since 2006 in Fiji and in Vanuatu from 2019. STIL is dedicated to the principles of sustainable and responsible tourism as a tool for socio-economic development, to empower local communities to become more viable. Geoff defines sustainability as being inclusive of economic viability, social acceptability and environmental responsibility. He believes in the new 3 R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle, and in the correct sequencing of the 3 P’s – People, Planet and Profit. Geoff has 35 years of work experience as a Tourism Development Planner, Project Manager, Team Leader, Technical Adviser, Investment Analyst, Industry Trainer, Lecturer, Author and Business Consultant. He has completed long term assignments as a Tourism Sector Adviser in FSM, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Solomons.

Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and Tourism from the University of the South Pacific. Started working for Rivers Fiji in 1998 as a part time worker/student and began worked full time in 1999. Worked as an operations manager and assisted in the village consultations to establish the Upper Navua Conservation Area. Left in 2006 due to personal reasons and to fulfil family commitments.

Worked for Native Land Trust Board now known as the iTaukei Land Trust Board from 2006 to 2007 as a Senior Estate Officer. Later moved and worked for the Government at the Ministry of Tourism, in 2007, as a programme manager for the Integrated Human Resource Development Program (IHRDP) for Tourism. Promoted to the National Planning Office in 2010 and became the overall manager for the IHRDP in Fiji before returning to Rivers Fiji in 2014 as a director.

Grace Hu (Hu Di) is the Chief Sustainability Officer of Dossen Group, one of China’s largest hotel groups, where she leads ESG strategy, carbon reduction, and stakeholder engagement across over 2,000 properties. She also serves as Deputy Director of the ESG Promotion Center under the China Hospitality Association (CHA), leading the revision of national green hotel standards and ESG innovation across the industry. With over 15 years of cross-sector experience spanning hospitality, education, and FMCG, Grace is a strong advocate for aligning global sustainability frameworks with local implementation. She has spoken at NY and Shanghai Climate Week, Global Supply Chain conference, and major ESG summits across Asia and globally.

Rob Holmes is the Founder & Chief Strategist of GLP Films -- the award-winning, full-service content marketing agency dedicated to sustainable and regenerative tourism. GLP helps destinations reposition as leaders in this new travel era via award-winning sustainability storytelling, strategic communications and targeted distribution to reach high-value responsible travelers. 

GLP has received 48 storytelling awards (and counting) for its impactful work ranging from sustainable and community-based tourism, to stewardship and conservation, and locally led climate solutions.  It’s also been voted the “#1 Storytelling Agency” and “Regenerative Storyteller of the Year”. 

Rob is a sought after expert, strategist and speaker for top destinations, brands and events. What drives Rob’s successful approach is his unwavering passion, commitment and dedication to helping partner organizations fully embrace sustainability, reposition and become successful impact-driven brands.

Tjakko Dijk is a Dutch sustainable urbanist based in Bangkok, with a background in urban planning, innovation, and public policy. A former politician in the Netherlands, he now leads UrbanSphere Solutions, a consultancy focused on sustainable mobility and urban resilience in Southeast Asia. Tjakko is also co-founder of The Watertaxi Company, which develops turnkey, electric hydrofoiling water taxi systems—partnering with innovators like Candela (hydrofoiling electric boats and ferries)—to promote sustainable tourism and reduce congestion in waterfront destinations. In Bangkok, he is involved in a pioneering Congestion Charging pilot to address urban traffic and air pollution. His work blends design thinking with practical policy tools to build more livable, lovable, and future-proof cities. With The Watertaxi Company, he leads research and development initiatives in Bangkok and Phuket to create sustainable water mobility services tailored to local conditions and communities.

As CEO of Harbour Air, Bert van der Stege leads the company’s mission to make air travel more sustainable and accessible throughout British Columbia, Seattle and beyond. Founded in 1982, Harbour Air has since grown to become North America’s largest seaplane airline. Today, the company has a fleet of 45 aircraft and provides 300+ daily scheduled flights, scenic tours, and private charters to businesses, locals and international travelers alike. Innovation has always been a key value driver at Harbour Air. In 2007, Harbour Air became the world’s first fully carbon neutral airline by introducing carbon-offsetting. In 2019, the company made history by becoming the world's first airline to fly an electric plane. Since then, Harbour Air

has been at the forefront of testing and developing battery-powered propulsion. In 2024, Harbour Air moved from carbon offsetting to insetting, and a small portion of each fare now goes to the continued development of the company’s ePlane project.

Hailing from the Netherlands, Bert van der Stege began his aviation career as a management trainee at Lufthansa in Germany. In October 2022 he joined Harbour Air, coming from WestJet Group where he had responsibility for its low-cost airline, Swoop. He has over 25 years of experience in air transportation, having worked in various executive roles specializing in airline transformations.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from working in aviation across all but one of the seven continents, Bert is excited to lead Harbour Air’s charge towards a more sustainable future in air travel.

Kentaro Dobashi is the Special Appointive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Division, Japan Airlines since September 2024 after his experience as the Vice President and Regional Manager in Singapore for 6 years. Prior to that, he had experienced the International Relations and Alliances for six years as Assistant Vice President, then for two years as Vice President, played a significant role in ensuring the success of the first ever transpacific airline joint venture between American Airlines and Japan Airlines launched in 2011. Before then, Kentaro lived in Frankfurt for four years as the Vice President of Regional Sales, Germany after experiences in various sales positions. Having also had experiences in passenger reservations, cabin crew scheduling, and passenger handling at Narita airport early on in his career, Kentaro steadily accumulated a wide spectrum of knowledge from operation to sales, and later to greater strategic planning for alliances and partnerships.

Adriana Pizzi is Membership Manager at GSTC with over eight years of experience in the conservation of nature and sustainable tourism sector. Previously, Adriana worked as Communications Officer at Provita NGO in Caracas, where she contributed to environmental education and outreach projects. She later expanded her expertise by working as a Project Manager at Train & Travel with Women for Africa in Côte d’Ivoire, empowering women through community tourism. Adriana’s journey led her to become the Ecotourism Manager at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone, where she successfully oversaw ecotourism activities. Her profound dedication to protecting natural resources, improving livelihoods, and promoting a harmonious relationship with nature and diverse cultures drives her work at GSTC. With a Law degree from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, Venezuela and a Master’s degree in Ecotourism from Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland, Adriana is committed to projects that have a positive impact in nature and people.

Roger Simons is the Director of Sustainability at Marina Bay Sands. In this role, Roger helps drive sustainability initiatives in areas including property performance, product innovation, partnerships, certifications, staff and consumer engagement across the integrated resort. His work has contributed to Marina Bay Sands becoming the largest hotel in Singapore to be certified to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Industry Criteria for Hotels and Accommodation in 2022. Prior to joining Marina Bay Sands in 2017, Roger was the Regional Sustainability Director (APAC) for MCI Group working with leading clients, destinations and venues to craft sustainable business tourism strategies. Roger was a Resource Person on Sustainable Tourism for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Leaders Programme (CIFAL) and sat on Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Business Management, Hospitality & Tourism Industry Panel. His industry experience also includes being past president of the Green Meeting Industry Council and past co-chair of the National Environment Agency’s 3R MICE Recycling Taskforce.

Jessica is a passionate sustainability practitioner who built a 16 year career in tourism and events before pivoting in early 2020 to launch her own New Zealand-based consulting business. She works with destinations and event organisers across Asia Pacific to empower the industry to thrive responsibly. She consults, facilitates, and advocates for looking beyond sustainability and into a regenerative mindset. She is a senior consultant for both Global Destination Sustainability Movement and social impact non-for-profit, MEET4IMPACT and regularly speaks to audiences on the intersection between sustainability, tourism, events and impact.

Jorge Moller is a sustainable tourism expert with nearly 40 years of leadership and hands-on experience in Chile and throughout Latin America. Currently, Jorge is the Director of Regenera ONG,  which is a GSTC Training Partner that delivers training courses in Spanish online and in Latin America.  Through Regenera, Jorge builds bridges with indigenous communities to create authentic experiences for tourists by sharing their culture and beliefs while generating income to sustain their way of life. Jorge has been involved with the GSTC since 2013, when he participated in the GSTC Early Adopter Program in Chile. He aslso served on the GSTC Board of Directors for a number of years. Jorge was instrumental in the cofounding and development of the South American Sustainable Tourism Network (SAST Network). Also co-founder of LACEN (Latin American and Caribbean Ecotourism Network) and on the board of GEN (Global Ecotourism Network). He regularly shares his expertise as trainer, consultant and speaker, lecturing on tourism and sustainable development in events throughout the region. Jorge is especially passionate about his work with the Mapuche and other indigenous peoples in Chile.

Ms. Kuniko Takasaki is the managing executive officer leading JTB Group’s DEIB, and is responsible for driving sustainability and diversity across the group. At the JTB Group, the commitment to upstanding corporate citizenry is reflected in its Mission: ‘We strive to foster peace and global interconnectedness through the creation of opportunities for meaningful human interaction’. By accelerating diversity, which is the foundation of sustainability, and strengthening internal and external communication regarding sustainability, she strives to ensure that our management policies and commercial activity contribute to the long-term health and viability of our industry, our society and the planet as a whole.

Dr Christian Schott is Associate Professor in Management for Sustainability at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington in Aotearoa New Zealand. His research interests include the impacts of tourism, sustainability, climate change, education for sustainability, and VR and education. Christian is Director of the Principles of Responsible Management Education at WSBG and leads a trans-disciplinary project harnessing virtual reality technology to foster experiential education about sustainability, which was awarded the Gold Award Sustainability at the prestigious QS-Wharton 2020/21 Reimagine Education Awards. Christian has been invited to speak at the New Zealand Parliament about Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism, published in high impact tourism and education journals, serves as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Sustainable Tourism, and received the ‘Research Article of the Year 2018 Award’ in the highly ranked journal Tourism Recreation Research (with Sochea Nhem). In 2022, Christian was awarded the Te Whatu Kairangi | Aotearoa New Zealand National Tertiary Educator Award.

Mr. Nipatpong Chuanchuen or ‘Khun Tarr’ is a pioneer in Thai ecotourism, and a leading, practical innovator of low carbon, carbon neutral and net zero tourism; with a focus on developing feasible and credible tools for Thai SMEs and local communities.Supported by  Asst.Prof. Supawadee Photiyarach on behalf of TSRI and PMUC.

Early in his career, Khun Tarr established TrekkingThai.Com, which inspired a new generation of Thai travelers to appreciate and explore the natural world. He has been active in sustainable and responsible tourism associations for over 25 years, holding senior positions in the Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association and Asean Ecotourism Network.

Khun Tarr is passionate about climate and communities. Since 2021, he has become one of Thailand’s most active leaders, supporting tourism SMEs and communities to have simple tools to understand climate change, measure and reduce their carbon footprints.

Robert Imrie, MBA, currently working to develop economic opportunities through sustainable tourism, serving as Director of Development for the Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association in Eeyou Istchee, Quebec. With over 20 years of experience in workforce development, strategic planning, and community engagement, Robert has led initiatives that integrate cultural preservation with economic opportunity. His work empowers Indigenous communities through business support, skills training, and employment practices rooted in sustainability. Previously, he was Director of Programs at the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute, where he oversaw award-winning outreach and education projects. Robert is also a consultant and university instructor focused on public sector management and strategic development. A lifelong learner, he holds an MBA from Queen’s University, Educational Leadership from McGill, to highlight a few of his academic endeavours. Committed to inclusive growth, Robert brings a collaborative approach to fostering development models that uplift local communities while protecting cultural integrity.

Dr. David Ermen is the Managing Director of Destination Capacity Ltd., with 20 years of global experience in tourism and sustainability. Through his company, he advises tourism destinations, companies, and development organizations on strategies to enhance governance and promote destination stewardship. David has worked across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, helping public and private entities align tourism initiatives with community and environmental goals. As a trainer for the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), he has led workshops worldwide, fostering sustainable tourism practices and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. He is a sought-after speaker, known for driving positive, long-term change in the tourism sector.

Jorge Moller is a sustainable tourism expert with nearly 40 years of leadership and hands-on experience in Chile and throughout Latin America. Currently, Jorge is the Director of Regenera ONG,  which is a GSTC Training Partner that delivers training courses in Spanish online and in Latin America.  Through Regenera, Jorge builds bridges with indigenous communities to create authentic experiences for tourists by sharing their culture and beliefs while generating income to sustain their way of life. Jorge has been involved with the GSTC since 2013, when he participated in the GSTC Early Adopter Program in Chile. He aslso served on the GSTC Board of Directors for a number of years. Jorge was instrumental in the cofounding and development of the South American Sustainable Tourism Network (SAST Network). Also co-founder of LACEN (Latin American and Caribbean Ecotourism Network) and on the board of GEN (Global Ecotourism Network). He regularly shares his expertise as trainer, consultant and speaker, lecturing on tourism and sustainable development in events throughout the region. Jorge is especially passionate about his work with the Mapuche and other indigenous peoples in Chile.

Becky Last is a sustainable tourism expert with extensive and varied experience across the private sector, government, and international development. She specializes in emerging and mid-stage tourism economies, helping destinations and businesses harness tourism for inclusive, sustainable growth. Becky advises governments on strategic policy development and supports tourism enterprises to improve operations, innovate product offerings, manage risks, and drive equitable outcomes.

Her work demonstrates the link between responsible practices and strong economic performance, with a focus on value chain development, sustainable tourism standards, and destination management. She has led tourism initiatives in over 30 countries across the Pacific, and in North, Central, and Southeast Asia.

Formerly the East Asia Pacific Tourism Lead at IFC (World Bank Group), Becky managed major projects in Fiji, Solomon Islands, PNG, and Vanuatu. Most recently, she advised on tourism investment promotion in Fiji and Solomon Islands, Fiji’s National Sustainable Tourism Framework, and regional adoption of SPTO's GSTC-aligned Pacific Sustainable Tourism Standards.

"ane McFadzean is Senior Director, Global Sustainability at Trip.com Group. Since joining in March 2024, she has drawn upon over 20 years of experience in travel, tourism, and media to drive sustainability initiatives and forge impactful partnerships. At Trip.com Group, Jane is focused on integrating sustainability into every aspect of the business, aligning environmental and social goals with the company's international growth

and innovation.

In addition to her current role, Jane has held senior leadership positions at major brands like Expedia, Disney, and Microsoft, where she led award-winning content and marketing initiatives for Tourist Boards worldwide. In March, Jane was featured in Sustainability Magazine's Top 250 Leaders for 2025.

Libby Owen-Edmunds is an entrepreneur and systems change expert with over 20 years of international experience in sustainable tourism and development. She has advised hospitality leaders, governments, and global institutions—including the World Bank, IFC, PwC, ADB, DFAT, and foundations such as Swisscontact and The Nature Conservancy—on strategies that drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

Libby specialises in forging public-private partnerships that unlock investment and address the systemic barriers facing sustainable tourism enterprises and destinations. Her work supports tourism policy reform, destination planning, and governance models that elevate local voices while aligning with international standards.

With extensive experience across Asia and the Pacific, Libby helps organisations connect global ambition with place-based, measurable outcomes. She is passionate about innovative financing models and collaborative approaches that deliver long-term value for people, planet, and place—particularly in communities most vulnerable to climate and economic disruption.