Strategist focused on sustainable development and innovation through the integration of multiple industry sectors of travel and tourism in 65+ countries. Developed and launched new business, innovative projects and programs for companies, governments, international organizations, associations and non-governmental organizations.Recruited, fielded and managed teams of consultants in multiple countries. Launched innovative new product and promotional campaigns in emerging markets and post-conflict countries.Conducted multi-country market feasibility and infrastructure analysis for new investment in tourism and transportation.Analyzing how sustainable tourism can be used to mitigate climate change impacts.Projects include:Strategy for Cultural Heritage as Economic Development for long term tourism project, Parsons Engineering, Saudi ArabiaRepackaging of $2 mn tourism program for Sierra Leone, World Trade OrganizationRegional Tourism Development and Investment program for six Pacific countries, Asian Development BankNew cruise destination assessment, Tanna, VanuatuDeveloping tourism through cultural heritage, Saudi ArabiaTourism and Trade in Services development, TanzaniaMarketing Ugandan tourism in North America11 Country Pacific Possible Tourism ReportCorridor Tourism Development Strategies for Armenia and Azerbaijan, World BankReactivation and updating of Georgia's National Tourism StrategyProject Manager and co-author of "Enabling Tourism Investment Climate:Challenges and Prospects for Tourism Investments in the COMCEC Region" for COMCEC, Islamic Cooperation Council. Sub-contractor, USAID COMPETE Project, Tourism component, West Bank, Palestinian Territories. Assisting with launch of Breaking Bread Journeys and expansion of hospitality education and training.Sub-contractor, USAID Nyungwe Nziza Project, Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. Assisting with marketing, e-marketing, social media marketing, media and promotion of the Park.

Destination Crowd Capital was an experimental venture that explored how to use crowdfunding to raise capital for the development of destinations, businesses, and organizations. DCC leveraged the power of crowdfunding to help ventures -- such as Dupont Underground and Timberline Four Seasons Resort -- validate products, build a loyal base of customers, raise capital, conduct market research, and establish grass-roots marketing.

Great experience co-teaching a graduate course titled "Local Planning & Development for Global Travel & Tourism that was offered jointly by the Urban Planning and Hospitality Management masters degree programs at Georgetown University. Juan Luna-Kelser and I conducted the course jointly in 2019 and then on my own in 2020. A smart and diverse group of students both years.

Ongoing adviser and consultant on tourism development issues for the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. Current and previous assignments include:Armenia -- Strategies for sustainable development of tourism.Azerbaijan -- Strengthening of Baku-Shekhi tourism corridor.Cote d'Ivoire -- Competitiveness strategy focused on development of pilot "growth poles."Georgia - Establishment of private sector Advisory Board and development of a new tourism strategy.Grenada -- Analysis of tourism investment climate and opportunities.India -- Tourism policy and investment incentives in Orissa and other states.Lebanon -- Tourism development and investment strategy for destinations beyond BeirutMacedonia -- Tourism competitiveness strategy focused on product diversificationMontenegro -- Analysis and recommendations for new tourism policy and investment strategy.Nepal -- Development and investment recommendations for Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha.Oman -- Development of a new national tourism strategy.Romania -- Restructuring of the Ministry of Regional Development and TourismSaudi Arabia - Cultural heritage economic impact and asset development.Senegal -- Development tourism investment and competitiveness strategy. Climate change resilience, especially in regards to beach erosion, was an important dimension that was analyzed as part of this project.St Lucia -- Development of tourism competitiveness strategySierra Leone -- Tourism section of Trade Integration StudySouth Pacific -- Tourism market assessments of 11 countriesTanzania - Recommendations for a new national tourism and tourism investment strategy Uganda - Market analysis and strategy for North America marketing.Western Balkans -- Invest in the Western Balkans tourism investment strategy and recommendations for investments.Zambia - Development of a new tourism policy.

Multiple projects focused on sustainable tourism development for groups and initiatives such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries (development of thematic circuits), South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation countries (SASEC) (maritime tourism), Buddhist Circuit, Future of Tourism, Wellness Tourism, and the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative.

Advised Questex Hospitality & Travel Group on global tourism investment trends and issues through the development of detailed country-level white papers, feature articles for HotelManagement.net and specially commissioned assignments.

I conducted a graduate course on destination planning, which covers planning methodologies and best practices from the local to the national levels.

Development and expansion of one of the first internet travel websites. Helped with business planning and international marketing and promotion.

Served as the Chief of Communications for the Madrid-based World Tourism Organization and was responsible for advising the Secretary-General on key policy issues, developing alliances with governmental and non-governmental constituencies and developing the organization’s publishing, media and public relations programs.

Author and editor of the following publications: Adventuring in North Africa, Sierra Club Books; Baja California, A Travel Survival Kit, 1st and 2nd editions, Lonely Planet Publications; Egypt and the Sudan, A Travel Survival Kit, 1st and 2nd editions, Lonely Planet Publications; Egyptian Arabic Phrasebook, Lonely Planet Publications, Mexico, A Travel Survival Kit, 3rd and 4th editions, Lonely Planet Publications (bestseller).