My role combines tourism marketing with developing responsible tourism initiatives that support local communities and conservation. Many of our tours are educational, such as study abroad programs or volunteer vacations, which are run in conjunction with our parent organization, TIDE (see previous employment). My current focus is to develop innovative new tourism opportunities in the protected areas we manage, and identify suitable markets in which to promote them. This includes using social media channels, networking at national and international trade events and taking time to build lasting relationships with agents and travel providers, as well as working directly with customers to build custom packages.

When I started this role, the program was in it's infancy, so this role involved a lot of project development. From designing conservation and science programs, creating marketing materials and advertising for participants, recruiting staff and capacity building, purchasing equipment, carrying out risk assessments and developing emergency action plans, to being out in the field 24-7 leading volunteer groups, I was involved in almost every aspect of the program.

I worked with TIDE's Development Director to develop new programs which included research, education and sustainable financing programs, and write grant funding applications for them. In addition, I created and implemented an educational program about shark conservation which I delivered in local schools in the area and contributed to an international awareness campaign.

Teaching volunteer researchers coral reef ecology, species identification and research methodology to enable the team to collect information on coral reef population and health, which was then presented to the Bahamas National Trust with recommendations for future research and management. The role also involved organising project logistics and supervising groups in the field.