Thomas Armitt

Thomas Armitt Email and Phone Number

Senior Manager: Climate and Biodiversity @ Planeterra
United Kingdom
Thomas Armitt's Location
United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Thomas Armitt's Contact Details

Thomas Armitt personal email

n/a
About Thomas Armitt

If tourism continues as is, the sector will self-destruct taking the people, businesses and environment it relies on with it. There is need for a change to the status quo... in the way we 'do tourism'.I have seen first-hand how tourism can, on one hand, create social problems, destroy the environment and work for the few, whilst exploiting the many.I have also seen how, if done right, tourism can be a tool that can create opportunities for low income people to support themselves and their families to lead fulfilling lives, protect sensitive ecosystems by raising environmental awareness in tourists and local inhabitants, dispell preconceived cultural barriers, build positive relationships and provide a means for local businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.Tourism has the power to destroy and sow discord, or to create and sustain thriving destinations. I choose to work on inspiring others to embrace the latter. My belief is that by supporting the development of meaningful partnerships between public, private and third sector stakeholders to achieve the common goal of improving the impacts of tourism for destinations and businesses, we can achieve a reality in which tourism is seen as a building block for a more just, tolerant and compassionate world.Who's with me?

Thomas Armitt's Current Company Details
Planeterra

Planeterra

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Senior Manager: Climate and Biodiversity
United Kingdom
Website:
planeterra.org
Employees:
28
Thomas Armitt Work Experience Details
  • Planeterra
    Senior Manager: Climate And Biodiversity
    Planeterra
    United Kingdom
  • Planeterra
    Global Manager: Projects & Partnerships
    Planeterra Jun 2022 - Present
    Remote
    Supporting the creation of, and managing, community tourism enterprise development and climate-biodiversity crisis solutions projects.Key achievements so far:* Completed the management of the "Sustainable Tourism and Protected Areas in a Post Covid World" project, in partnership with IUCN and funded by GIZ. This entailed working with teams in Peru and Vietnam, who were implementing field-based activities in four protected areas.* Led the creation and management of Planeterra's climate-biodiversity crisis response initiative, with the vision of linking community tourism to climate-biodiversity crisis solutions, creating complementarity and multiplying the positive impacts of these projects.* Facilitated G Adventures' and Planeterra's carbon footprint calculation, in line with the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.* Spoke at various events (including ITB Berlin and ABTA's Driving Sustainable Tourism) to share how integrating Community Tourism as a core business endeavour, and by taking a people & nature positive approach, is good for business.
  • African Parks Network
    Consultant: Community Tourism Development
    African Parks Network Apr 2022 - May 2022
    Chad
    Researched and delivered a comprehensive report and action plan focusing on the opportunities for developing community tourism in the peripheral areas of Zakouma National Park, in Chad.
  • African Parks Network
    Trainer: Experience Interpretation And Customer Engagement
    African Parks Network Mar 2022 - May 2022
    Zakouma National Park Chad
    Trained all of the Zakouma National Park guides on how to create fulfilling experiences, by focusing on how these experiences can be interpreted to inspire engagement and meaningfulness, when guiding their guests around the Park.
  • African Parks Network
    Senior Manager: Tourism & Business Development
    African Parks Network Mar 2019 - Apr 2022
    Parc National De La Pendjari, Benin
    Managed the development and implementation of a commercial development plan at Pendjari National Park, in Northern Benin, with the goal of generating 50% of all operating costs for the park, per year, through tourism & other enterprise revenue, by 2027. Key achievements:* Played a key role in making national park wide decisions as part of the Park Management Unit.* Managed the lodge refurbishment and improved the standards of service to achieve a 4.5 / 5 average rating for customer satisfaction and 9.2 / 10 for recommending the lodge to a friend or a colleague.* Tripled visitor numbers during the height of the Covid pandemic by designing and implementing a domestic tourism strategy to attract local markets.* Designed and implemented sustainable community-based hiking trails to increase the social and economic impacts of tourism in local communities* Supported the independant guiding community to improve their knowledge and skills so they can compete on an international level.* Successfully negotiated the contracts for a high end and a mid level tourism accommodation concessions that will contribute 20% to the park revenue goal.* Successfully negotiated a contract with a multinational agro-forestry company to sustainably harvest Shea nuts from inside the park. This will contribute 500k USD to park revenue, and generate 1.5 million USD for local communities within 5 years.* Created a range of products (chilli sauce, honey, Shea butter and Shea brandy) under the "Pure Pendjari" brand to showcase local ingredients and contribute to local community economic development.* Supported the design process and managed the implementation of new tourism infrastructure (animal hides, signage, welcome area buildings).
  • The Travel Foundation
    Project Manager: Sustainable Tourism Development
    The Travel Foundation Sep 2015 - Mar 2019
    Bristol, United Kingdom
    Managed a portfolio of overseas destination programmes and projects focusing on the development of responsible and sustainable tourism, in different thematic areas and at different stages of development. Achievements for Cabo Verde included: * Businesses and government work together in a Destination Council in Sal and Boa Vista* Hotels reduced their water and energy use by 12%* Partner hotels saved enough energy to power nearly 100 houses in Cabo Verde for a year and enough water savings to meet the needs of over 3,000 residents (or one-fifth of the population of Boa Vista)* 70% of tour guides trained are now meeting all responsible practice requirements* Key modules from the training course we created and delivered were adopted by the national hospitality school for all future students* Won the National Energy Globe Award for Cabo Verde in partnership with RHP Ltd, Ecovisao and GestEnGreen.Achievements for Croatia included:* By the end of the project, both villages we worked with (Zivogosce and Igrane) were benefiting from destination councils involving 26 public and private sector organisation representatives.* 17 of the 20 bar and restaurant owners trained implemented changes to business practices.* Over 800 hotel guests participated in new ‘Taste the Village’ excursions across the first season.* Business owners reported an 11% increase in footfall from hotel guests to the villages and 53% reported increased sales.
  • The Karma Cola Foundation & Karma Cola
    Coordinator: Community-Based Tourism Co-Creation
    The Karma Cola Foundation & Karma Cola Feb 2018 - Mar 2018
    Sierra Leone
    Organised and facilitated the implementation of a 10 days itinerary visiting communities living around the Tiwai Wildlife Sanctuary in South-East Sierra Leone as part of the Tiwai Heritage Trail. The experience was created for Karma Cola staff so that they could learn more about where the Kola nut (a key ingredient in their fairtrade soft drink product) came from, and to meet the communities that grow them. Key activities: Itinerary design, Community funding strategies, Budget creation and management, logistics coordination, kit organisation and purchase, community training development, tour planning and guiding, pre- and post-tour briefing and reporting, and risk assessment analysis.Key achievements:* The Karma Cola team have been using the heritage trail for 6 years now to share the communities' story with colleagues and partners. * The community fund management strategy has enabled several projects to get off the ground (e.g. Building new mosque, girl child education, teacher salary payments, women entrepreneur seed-funds)* Communities are now managing this project semi-independently and have gained useful hospitality and service skills.
  • Various
    Field Consultant: Sustainable Tourism Development
    Various May 2014 - Aug 2015
    Haiti, Brazil, Democratic Republic Of The Congo
    Salvador, Brazil | Inter-American Development Bank - researched and analysed the tourism value chain from an inclusive growth perspective. This led to the design of an action plan that aimed at creating livelihood opportunities for afro-descendant women.Salonga National Park, DRC | Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology - researched the feasibility of developing an ecotourism product involving local forest edge communities, with a strong emphasis on protecting the Bonobo species of Great Ape.Southern Region, Haiti | Inter-American Development Bank - Designed, researched and delivered a report, exploring how the tourism sector can develop in an inclusive manner, creating livelihood opportunities for low-income people.
  • Environmental Foundation For Africa
    Advisor: Ecotourism Product Development And Marketing
    Environmental Foundation For Africa Nov 2012 - Mar 2014
    Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Pujehun District, South-East Sierra Leone
    Worked on the development of ecotourism products that involve local communities in the planning, development and implementation processes and advised on targeted marketing strategies to promote ecotourism activities. The work was carried out at Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary (www.tiwaiisland.org).Key achievements :* Created, in close collaboration with local communities, a heritage trail linking 8 communities via their natural, historic and cultural heritage with the goal of creating alternative livelihood opportunities other than the funds received from the wildlife sanctuary. It still exists to this day and regularly receives visitors.* Created and implemented a comprehensive and innovative marketing strategy to diversify target markets and promote resilience.* Developed a partnership with Karma Cola to use the heritage trail as an innovative way to share their product ingredient journey from source to shelf via experiential travel.* Created a tourism community Committee that was used during the Ebola Crisis (2014-2015) to sensitise communities on hygiene advice and to share up to date information amongst rural communities.* Built partnerships with several key organisations that can provide capacity building support to local communities, improving the quality of tourism products & services (e.g. First aid, ICT, etc.)
  • Secret Compass
    Lead Consultant: Expedition Product Research & Cultural Interpretation
    Secret Compass Dec 2012 - Feb 2013
    Sierra Leone
    Worked with the National Tourism Board of Sierra Leone (www.welcometosierraleone.com) on developing an itinerary, for Secret Compass, based upon their specifications for an expedition experience. Led the recce expedition to assess the feasibility of the itinerary, and then accompanied the first official tour as cultural adviser. To view the experience that has been developed from these activities, follow this link: http://secretcompass.com/expeditions/sierra-leone-2015/
  • West Africa Discovery
    Founder & Ceo: Tourism Marketing Platform
    West Africa Discovery Oct 2008 - Nov 2012
    London, United Kingdom
    Set up and ran a web portal to promote the development of, and raise awareness towards, sustainable and responsible tourism projects, based in West Africa, which benefit local communities and preserve local cultural, historical and natural heritage.
  • Service 800
    Account Manager: Emea & Asia Pacific
    Service 800 Jul 2011 - Oct 2012
    London, United Kingdom
    Managed accounts, client relationships and expectations. Focus: Healthcare and IT Hardware based in EMEA, Asia Pacific and Japan regions.
  • Service 800
    Team Leader: Training & Quality Control
    Service 800 Oct 2010 - Aug 2011
    London, England, United Kingdom
    Managed the creation and delivery of training material within a customer service market research environment & lead an international team of quality auditors to produce high quality outputs to match clients’ expectations.
  • Yes Your English Solution
    Teacher: English As A Foreign Language
    Yes Your English Solution May 2010 - Sep 2010
    Catania Area, Italy
    Taught English to groups of Italian students (age group 25-60), and worked as an interpreter (Italian to English) for private companies (e.g. Coca Cola Company)
  • Kingston Technology
    Assistant: Marketing & Communication
    Kingston Technology Jan 2008 - Nov 2008
    London, United Kingdom
    Assisted the marketing team of an I.T. hardware market leader with a variety tasks that supported the marketing communications, channel marketing, public relations and product management departments.
  • Responsibletravel
    Assistant: Web Content Creation & Editing
    Responsibletravel Oct 2007 - Dec 2007
    Brighton, United Kingdom
    Updated, created and monitored web pages for an award winning sustainable tourism website and campaigning body to increase the marketing coverage of responsible and sustainable tourism products from around the world.
  • Earth Rights Ecovillage Institute (Erev)
    Research Officer: Ecotourism Development
    Earth Rights Ecovillage Institute (Erev) Oct 2005 - Jun 2006
    Senegal
    Conducted field research to produce a study on the possibility of developing community-based ecotourism in Senegal, West Africa, and the challenge of marketing the result to the UK; this was subsequently published (ISBN-10: 3639183754)and is available to buy on Amazon.

Thomas Armitt Skills

Excel Powerpoint Tourism English Online Marketing Word Sustainable Tourism Strategic Planning Customer Relations Research Negotiation Microsoft Office New Business Development Market Research Social Media Business Strategy Business Planning Customer Service French Public Speaking Social Media Marketing Writing Problem Solving Editing Copywriting Administration Photoshop Teaching Marketing Management Leadership Social Networking Adventure Travel Leisure Travel Marketing Communications Marketing Strategy Hospitality Training Hospitality Industry Business Development

Thomas Armitt Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Thomas Armitt

What company does Thomas Armitt work for?

Thomas Armitt works for Planeterra

What is Thomas Armitt's role at the current company?

Thomas Armitt's current role is Senior Manager: Climate and Biodiversity.

What is Thomas Armitt's email address?

Thomas Armitt's email address is we****@****ail.com

What schools did Thomas Armitt attend?

Thomas Armitt attended Leeds Beckett University, University Of Portsmouth.

What are some of Thomas Armitt's interests?

Thomas Armitt has interest in Simply, Children, Economic Empowerment, Civil Rights And Social Action, Education, Environment, Bringing Out The Best In People, Poverty Alleviation, I Enjoy Socialising, Disaster And Humanitarian Relief.

What skills is Thomas Armitt known for?

Thomas Armitt has skills like Excel, Powerpoint, Tourism, English, Online Marketing, Word, Sustainable Tourism, Strategic Planning, Customer Relations, Research, Negotiation, Microsoft Office.

Who are Thomas Armitt's colleagues?

Thomas Armitt's colleagues are Athena Vries, Joel Callañaupa, Sulieman Alsukkar, Carlota Morales, Jonathan Zamora Ríos, Yulissa Castañeda Sifuentes, Panot Pakongsup.

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