Center for Responsible Travel

Transforming the Way the World Travels

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CREST Newsletter: Issue 15, April - June 2017

CREST Supports Sustainable Tourism Conference in Cuba

MARDELTUR 2017 | Pinar del Rio Province | June 13 – 15, 2017

In mid-June, CREST successfully completed one of its current projects in Cuba: helping to organize the

MARDELTUR 2017 sustainable tourism conference in Pinar del Rio province. In February, CREST was

invited by two provincial university officials, Dr. Carlos Cesar Torres and Dr. Jorge Freddy Ramirez, to

assist in organizing their 2nd International Congress on Marketing, Local Development and Tourism

(MARDELTUR). They proposed that CREST

identify a roster of international experts to

speak at the MARDELTUR 2017 conference,

to provided support for a number of Cuban

speakers, and to cover the costs of certain

other components. The timeline for

organizing this Workshop was very short, and

CREST is enormously grateful to both the

Ford and Christopher Reynolds Foundations

for providing the necessary financial support.

In the end, CREST brought a total of 10

international speakers and participants from

Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. and

provided support for 8 Cuban speakers. CREST also arranged for Cuba Educational Travel to organize a

one-day pre-conference educational tour of Viñales for those who were not from the province. The bus

tour included meetings with local owners of casas particulares, a luncheon at an organic farm and

restaurant, a guided hike through tobacco fields and drying sheds, and a talk by the town historian. In

addition, CREST arranged for its group to visit, at the end of the conference, the community of Las

Terrazas and its La Moka Ecolodge, Cuba’s oldest and most successful experiment in ecotourism. Our

expert resident guide provided a historic overview and a walking tour of the town to visit two artist's

studios, a historical and a musical museum, and, for lunch, Cuba’s finest vegetarian restaurant.

The tourism workshop, held at Hotel Rancho San Vicente, a lovely relatively small rural resort outside the

town of Viñales, included eight panels with presentations on topics ranging from agritourism, nature-

based tourism, and travelers’ philanthropy to cruise tourism, urban and cultural tourism, marketing, and

quality and sustainability standards. The speakers included academics from universities in Havana, Pinar

del Rio, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba, from national NGOs and institutions, as well as a handful of

government officials, including the director of the Havana Bay redevelopment project. The tourism

workshop participants also traveled by bus to the city of Pinar del Rio to attend the opening and closing

sessions of the International Congress which included six distinct streams, in addition to tourism. This

logistically challenging event came off with

remarkably only a few glitches and great deal of

comradery and good will.

The timing of this Tourism Workshop was auspicious.

Given the UN’s declaration of 2017 as the

International Year of Sustainable Tourism for

Development, CREST arranged to have MARDELTUR

2017 listed as an officially recognized event of the

International Year through the United Nations World

Tourism Organization website.

In addition, Carlos Cesar, the President of the MARDELTUR 2017 organizing committee, eloquently

outlined why sustainable tourism is a priority for Cuba. “Now that tourism is one of its main sources of

revenue,” Dr. Cesar explained, “Cuba is pressed to develop the industry at a large scale, in association

with investors and hotel administrators, cruise ships, golf courses and marinas. A number of foreign

companies have already established presence, and representatives of many more have approached with

proposals for new tourism projects. Parallel to the expansion of the mass tourism market,” Dr. Cesar

continued, “Cuba has been developing another type of tourism: decentralized, small-scale, at the local

level. In recent years, we have seen the rise of locally-driven private and public tourist enterprises, mainly

lodging and food service, but also other attractions such as parks, museums, excursions, tours, and

nautical, cultural and recreational activities, that generate employment and income for many Cuban

workers and families and for local governments, while simultaneously diversifying the offer and enriching

the experience for the tourist.”

Dr. Cesar concluded by explaining, “While these advances are promising, they also introduce elements

that are cause for concern, mainly due to their social and environmental impacts and levels of quality.

Cuba’s tourism offer urgently needs to be

informed of and apply established global

standards of sustainability and quality of

service and develop its own, that will

enable it to grow in moderation, both in

quantity and quality of its visitors, obtain

greater benefits from tourism and reduce

costs and avoid negative impacts. Cuba

has the potential to develop a tourism

based on its rich natural and cultural

resources, and to promote an authentic

and distinctive form of tourism that

attracts more demanding international

visitors, offers a more interesting and

educational stay, while at the same time generates greater benefits for the local population, protects the

environment and respects indigenous culture; in other words, cultivate high-value and not just high-

volume tourism.”

While these important themes were woven through the Workshop presentations and discussions, the

conference also took place under the shadow of another reality. Throughout the week there was much

speculation and concern about President Donald Trump’s plans to reverse some of the Obama

administration’s key policy liberalizations towards Cuba. As the opening keynote speaker, Dr. Jose Luis

Rodriguez, who is Cuba’s former Minister of the Economy, told the audience, “We are anticipating that

Trump is planning to 'shoot a torpedo' directly at tourism in Cuba.” Indeed, he did, just after the close of

the conference, and the industry will now begin adjusting to the new norms in relation to U.S. travelers.

Chihuahua Indigenous Tourism Experiences Prepared for Launch

In Chihuahua, CREST continues working with local partners

on a four-year indigenous tourism project supported by the

Christensen Fund, which is designed to protect bio-cultural

diversity in the Sierra Tarahumara around Creel and the

Copper Canyon (Divisadero). From May 23 to 30, Ximena

Alvis from CREST and our Mexican partners spent 8 days in

Chihuahua visiting the communities of Huetosachi and

Bacajipare, where the tourism experiences will take place.

During this trip, Ximena had several meetings in Chihuahua

city and Creel with our local partner CONTEC, the Christensen

Fund, and the marketing team of the Secretary of Tourism of

Chihuahua. These meetings served to inform all parties

about the progress of the project and the next steps,

especially the upcoming familiarization trip.

Ximena was accompanied by Laura Barragán (CREST) and

Tatiana Amor (Christensen Fund). The meetings served to

coordinate and finalize budgets and progress of

the building of a community kitchen and

handicraft space, and also the training of tour

guides in Bacajipare and Huetosachi. This trip also

helped community members practice the planned

kitchen experience, as the ladies of Huetosachi

prepared food as if they were interacting with

tourists. While meeting with the communities, the

group also worked with them to create a list of

guidelines for tourists, which was an interesting

exercise for the communities that allowed them to

establish rules for visitation.

In the meeting with the marketing team of the Secretary of Tourism of Chihuahua, Ximena coordinated

their assistance in dispersing information, designing printed materials for the experiences offered and the

list of tourist guidelines, and maintaining the website.

The next steps from CREST and partner Mano del Mono in the following months will be to finish the

construction of the almost-completed kitchen (by mid-July). The local community is overseeing the

construction, decoration, and organization of the equipment in the kitchen. The familiarization trip will

be held the third week of August, when both communities will showcase their offered experiences.

CREST's Latest Book on Marine Tourism, Climate Change, and Resilience

Announced

CREST is pleased to announce our latest book, Marine Tourism, Climate Change, and Resilience in the Caribbean, Volume I: Ocean Health, Fisheries, and Marine Protected Areas, was released in May. This is the first of two volumes focused on marine tourism in the Caribbean to be released. Edited by CREST Academic Affiliate Dr. Kreg Ettenger of the University of Maine, with assistance from CREST's Samantha Hogenson, the book features essays and case studies from eighteen different authors. Topics covered include Coral Reefs and Marine Ecosystems in the Face of Climate Change; Fisheries, Tourism, and Climate Change; and Marine Protected Areas as Climate Change Buffers and Tourism Magnets. The conclusion of the volume previews the second book of the series, which will focus on Marine Recreation, including Cruise Tourism, and is planned for release this summer.

Two companion volumes focusing on Coastal Tourism, Sustainability, and Climate Change in the Caribbean, published by Business Expert Press and CREST, were released in April. Following the same model, the books were edited by CREST's Martha Honey with assistance from Samantha Hogenson. All four books are designed for tourism professionals and academics and look at how climate change is impacting coastal and marine tourism in the Caribbean, and how tourism businesses are providing solutions.

The three available volumes may be purchased in paperback ($34.95) or eBook ($19.95) form through our co-publisher, Business Expert Press:

• Coastal Tourism, Sustainability, and Climate Change in the Caribbean, Volume I: Beaches and

Hotels

• Coastal Tourism, Sustainability, and Climate Change in the Caribbean, Volume II: Supporting

Activities

• Marine Tourism, Climate Change, and Resilience in the Caribbean, Volume I: Ocean Health,

Fisheries, and Marine Protected Areas

CREST to Host High Profile Forum for UN's Year of Sustainable Tourism for

Development

On September 27 (World Tourism Day), CREST and UN Environment - North America Office are co-hosting a high-profile forum to showcase the UN’s declaration of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. The day-long event will be held at the UN Foundation’s ‘green’ conference facilities in Washington, DC. This is the premier public event in Washington focused on the UN’s International Year and is endorsed by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The event will feature panels on the five key pillars identified by the UNWTO for the International Year. These range from tourism as a tool for poverty reduction to environmental protection, and mutual understanding and peace. Each panel will include two inspiring short testimonials by tourism leaders and will be moderated by well-known journalists. Among the speakers confirmed are Chris Blackwell, owner of Island Outpost resorts in Jamaica; Ewald Biemans, owner of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort in Aruba; Collin Laverty, owner of Cuba Educational Travel; Chief Douglass Neasloss, First Nations leader in the Great Bear Rainforest, Canada; and Elizabeth Becker, author of Overbooked. The day will include a luncheon prepared by local immigrant chefs and will end with a tasting of organic and biodynamic wines from CA.

CREST's Annual "Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics"

Publication: Update and Call for Submissions

In April, CREST decided to hold the release of our annual meta-analysis "The Case for Responsible Travel:

Trends & Statistics" until the September 27 Forum for the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for

Development hosted by CREST and United Nations Environment – North America Office (see above).

Because the 2017 version will focus on the five themes of the International Year, the International Year

event provides a logical platform.

CREST is accepting "trends & statistic" factoids and quotes from tourism, social, cultural heritage, and

environmental organizations, tourism experts, and practitioners regarding the prevalence, need for, and

success stories of responsible travel until August 1st. If you would like to submit information for

consideration or join CREST as a partnering organization, please contact Samantha Hogenson at

shogenson@responsibletravel.org about opportunities. Partnering is completely free; the goal of the

publication is to provide a snapshot of the industry and work together to distribute the information.

Please view the "Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2016" to get an idea of content and

length of factoids for submission.

Sharing Experience, Providing Knowledge

• Sustainable Tourism Workshop at Brookings Institution & RISDoC Conference: As part of our role in

the RISDoC (Research Initiative for the Sustainable Development of Cuba) coalition, CREST was asked

to organize and host a workshop on sustainable tourism in Cuba. The April 6 workshop in Washington,

DC was part of a day-long forum focused on “Sustainable Development: The Path to Economic

Growth in Cuba” that was sponsored by the Brookings Institution's

Latin America Initiative and RISDoC. This forum marked the official

announcement of the RISDoC in the U.S. In February 2017, CREST

participated in RISDoC’s inaugural conference in Havana that

brought together universities and research centers, NGOs, and

government agencies. The conference sought to open channels for

futher communication about sustainability at the government and

grassroots levels.

The April 6 sustainable tourism workshop, chaired by Martha Honey and attended by some 20

tourism experts and practitioners from Cuba and the U.S., offered a rich, informative, and wide-

ranging exchange about current U.S.-Cuban tourism policies, possible forthcoming reversals under

the Trump administration, and the key successes and challenges for sustainable tourism in

Cuba. Those present also described a variety of sustainable tourism projects in Cuba that their

organizations are helping to implement. Finally, the group listed top priorities for strengthening

sustainable tourism in Cuba and areas where further research is needed.

• National Audubon Society Project to Strengthen Bird-Based

Tourism: On June 1, CREST Executive Director Martha Honey

gave a power point presentation on the “Origins and Future of

Ecotourism” to a group of some 30 bird and nature-based

tourism professionals and community leaders from Paraguay,

Guatemala, the Bahamas, and Belize. Honey noted that bird

watching is often the earliest type of ecotourism to enter a new

destination, and it can help pave the way for other types of

nature and adventure tourism. The group from the Caribbean

and Latin America was meeting with staff of the National Audubon Society to discuss the outcomes

and next steps of their four-country, multi-year project to strengthen bird-based ecotourism as a tool

for conservation and sustainable development. CREST participated in this project, which was financed

by the Inter-American Development Bank, by conducting a market analysis of bird-based tourism in

each country and producing a series of fact sheets and a background report. The project has trained

birding guides in each country, developed marketing materials, and helped to strengthen

infrastructure for bird-based ecotourism in the four target countries.

• The Ocean Conference at the UN, June 2017: The Ocean Conference, held June 5-7, 2017 at United

Nations Headquarters, New York, brought together thousands of government officials and non-

governmental leaders to discuss implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14, which is

focused on how to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. CREST

Executive Director Martha Honey was invited to speak at a side event on June 8 organized by Tourism

Watch, a project of Bread for the World in Germany. The forum, entitled “Transforming Tourism –

Sustainable Future for Coastal Fishing Communities in the Era of Tourism Development,” was held at

the German Mission to the UN. Martha presented

key findings from CREST’s latest research on cruise

tourism and its impacts on island destinations.

Other participants presented case studies on the

effects of tourism in coastal communities and on

natural resources.

• CREST Appears for a Second Time on The GreenPreneur Show: On Sunday, June 25, Martha Honey

was the guest on “The GreenPreneur Show,” a weekly radio interview program out of Chicago.

Martha discussed CREST’s newly released books on climate change and coastal tourism in the

Caribbean, how travelers can reduce their carbon footprint,

CREST’s work in Cuba, and the recent UN Ocean Week in New

York. The show’s host, Michael Thomas, author of

“Unapologetically G.R.E.E.N.” is a leading Chicago voice on

issues of environmental justice, environmental campaigns, and

good ‘green’ practices. This marked Martha’s second

appearance on the nationally syndicated show on Chicago’s

WVON 1690AM. Website: https://michaelthomasonline.com/

Join the CREST Charter Club in Eastern Cuba

As indicated by the above Cuba article, CREST continues to work very actively in areas related to sustainable tourism development in this fascinating and ever-evolving country. Though the announcement by the Trump Administration to restrict individual travel to Cuba is discouraging, group travel like CREST’s next trip to Eastern Cuba is permitted. So, too, are the conferences, field projects, and studies CREST has been doing or planning to do with a growing number of Cuban partners.

CREST is proud to continue to offer our educational, people-to-people Charter Club Trips in partnership with one of the most respected and knowledgeable U.S. tour operators, Cuba Educational Travel. Join us this November 4 – 11 in exploring the lesser visited eastern side of the island: Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa, Guantanamo City, Holguín, and Guardalavaca. CREST's Charter Club Trips allow us to take visitors to places we care about very deeply, in order to connect with the people and experience the environment and cultural heritage in a respectful way. We will stay in casas particulares, or bed & breakfasts, and have the opportunity to interact and have dialogue with a wide range of professional experts and local citizens.

Due to the initial uncertainties surrounding President Trump's announcement, we have extended the registration and deposit due date to August 1. Please visit our website to view the itinerary and addition information, and contact Samantha Hogenson with any questions and to register.

Rich Shea Joins CREST as Director of Communications

CREST is pleased to announce that we have hired Rich Shea to be our Director of Communications. Rich, a seasoned, award-winning communications and marketing professional, will officially begin work at CREST July 17. For the past 10 years, he’s focused on communications, by working for and helping nonprofits promote their missions and raise funds.

Rich was born and raised in central New Jersey, where, after graduating from Rutgers University, he kicked off a 20-year career in journalism, covering everything from local politics to arts-and-entertainment to K-12 education. The Washington, D.C. resident is also the father of two adult children, Aidan and Hannah, and has a passion for the arts, the outdoors, and travel. Over the past five years, he and his partner have traveled to 12 countries, including Turkey, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where the highlights of his visit were stays in two eco-lodges—in the Mekong and Sa Pa regions—which hire local residents and contribute to their communities.

CARE Thank You to Our Spring Auction Donors | Join Us This Fall!

The funds raised from CREST's quarterly travel auctions are vital to our work. The following responsibly-

minded travel companies were featured in our April 18 – May 2 auction. We thank them for their belief in

and support of CREST!

Bodhi Surf School*, Hacienda Santa Rosa, Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort, Island Outpost*, Kasbah du

Toubkal*, Micato Safaris*, The Pavilions Himalayas, Playa Viva, Riad AnaYela, Star Island, and Xixim

Unique Mayan Hotel. *Indicates CREST Platinum Sponsorship

Our next auction will be September 12 – 26, via www.charitybuzz.com. If you represent an

environmentally and socially responsible travel company and would like to promote your responsible

brand while supporting CREST, please contact Samantha Hogenson at shogenson@responsibletravel.org

to discuss your donated package.

CREST Welcome to our Newest Platinum Sponsor: Kasbah du Toubkal

CREST is thrilled to welcome Kasbah du Toubkal in Morocco, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the

World, as our newest Platinum Sponsor. As a Platinum Sponsor, Kasbah du Toubkal has committed to

donating a trip to a CREST fundraising auction each year through 2021. Learn more about our Platinum

Sponsors program.

About the Kasbah: Kasbah du Toubkal is the number one property of choice for comfortable hotel

accommodation in the village of Imlil and the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The Kasbah is just 60

kilometres from Marrakech and is in the Toubkal National Park, set dramatically below the towering

flanks of Jbel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. Imlil and its surrounding valleys are a world

apart from the bustle of the city and a place of peace and seclusion. This unique, award-winning hotel

offers fourteen comfortable en-suite rooms, three of which can be used as private self-contained houses.

In addition, there are three family rooms.

The delightful garden and large terraces

offer unparalleled views of the surrounding

mountains. Kasbah’s friendly and

knowledgeable local Berber team will make

every effort to ensure your stay is as

enjoyable as it can be. Specially designed

trekking packages including stays at

Kasbah’s Trekking Lodge and the ascent of

Mount Toubkal, which can include a riad or

hotel stay in Marrakech as well as tailor-

made tours around Morocco.

There is a shared belief that the beauty of the Toubkal National Park should be accessible to all who

respect it. To this end, the Kasbah has been transformed using traditional methods, from the home of a

feudal caïd (local baron), into an unprecedented haven with accommodation to suit all budgets.

The Kasbah du Toubkal is an extraordinary venture, the product of an imaginative Berber and European

enterprise. It opened in 1995 and is run through a unique partnership with the local Berber community,

with a five per cent levy included in guests’ accommodation bills being funneled back to the villagers. It is

more of a Berber hospitality center than a traditional hotel, where the genuine friendliness, warmth, and

hospitality are exceptional.

Read more about the history of the Kasbah and responsible practices here.

Academic Affiliates Program Expands

CREST is pleased to have recently welcomed the following highly-regarded individuals to our network of Academic Affiliates:

• Jim Barborak, Co-Director, Center for Protected Area Management, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University

• Bob Billington, Adjunct Professor, Administration Sciences, Boston University & Hospitality, Lasell College

• David Cardenas, Associate Professor and Research Associate, Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, University of South Carolina

CREST partners with these Affiliates in a variety of ways, such as through priority internships for students, research studies, conference participation, publications, and study tours. Three

Academic Affiliates, Jim Barborak (Colorado State University), Todd Comen (Johnson State College), and Michelle Rutty (Michigan State University), recently presented with CREST in the MARDELTUR 2017 sustainable development conference in Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Their presentations were on tourism in protected areas, agritourism, and climate change & tourism, respectively.

If you are an academic and interested in joining our Affiliates program, please contact Samantha Hogenson at shogenson@responsibletravel.org.

New Travelers' Philanthropy Spotlight: Volunteers Saw the Light!

No task was too big or too small for

more than 50 volunteers at this year's

CARE for the Cape & Islands Day held

May 10, at Nobska Light in Woods Hole,

Massachusetts. From washing

windows, painting trim, clearing brush,

and cleaning the "scary" basement,

everyone stepped up to help with

beautification and upkeep efforts of

the historic Cape Cod lighthouse. The

volunteers were greatly appreciated by

the Friends of Nobska Light who, on

behalf of the Town of Falmouth, assumed responsibility for the preservation and maintenance of the

historic Nobska Light in 2014. It sits upon a bluff comprised of 2.5 acres overlooking Vineyard Sound.

A highlight of the event was a presentation of CARE’s 2017 Grants to Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's

Alliance for their Pier Education Program, Maria Mitchell Association on Nantucket Island for Trash to

Treasure Upcycling of Marine Plastics, Coonamessett Farm Foundation for the Freshwater Mussel

Education Project, Center for Coastal Studies for the Story of Spinnaker the Whale Entanglement exhibit,

and to Provincetown Recycling & Renewal Energy for the installation of Sidewalk Buttlers, a receptacle

for cigarette butts that are recycled.

CARE for the Cape & Islands is a Travelers' Philanthropy initiative on Cape Cod, directed by Jill Talladay. As

a travelers’ philanthropy initiative, CARE seeks to encourage, support, and create opportunities for

visitors and residents to donate their “time, talent, and treasure” to help preserve and protect the very

things they enjoy about the Cape: exquisite natural beauty, plant and wildlife habitats, Cape & Islands

culture and history. This is CARE's 5-year anniversary, and their local grant program and volunteer

opportunities have had a tremendous positive impact on the natural and cultural-heritage landscapes of

Cape Cod. CREST is the fiscal sponsor of CARE and could not be more proud of what CARE has

accomplished.

Industry Announcements

• Explorer's Passage Leads Climate Force: Antarctica 2018:

Our friends at The Explorer’s Passage have announced that in February 2018 they will be

partnering with the legendary polar explorer and conservationist Robert Swan and his 2041

Foundation on the Climate Force: Antarctica 2018 expedition. They will be taking over 100 people

from across the globe to Antarctica, the last great wilderness on earth. What is most special

about this voyage though is that they will be using adventure travel as a vehicle to help in the

fight against climate change. Learn more here.

• EcoTrophea Tourism Awards Applications Open:

A healthy environment and sound living conditions in destination countries are the foundations

of successful and responsible tourism. Therefore, it is a central concern of the German Travel

Association (DRV), to anchor and strengthen this awareness in the German tourism industry as

well as in travelers’ consciousness.

Since 1987, the German Travel Association has annually awarded its international prize,

EcoTrophea, for exemplary projects in sustainable tourism. Apply now for EcoTrophea 2017 and

take advantage of the opportunity to effectively present your project and your commitment to

the public! Applications close August 15, 2017.

Meet our Summer Interns

The objective of CREST's internship program is to help inspire, involve, and educate young leaders to be

active and effective members of the sustainable tourism development community. This summer we are

proud to host a very diverse and bright group of students:

• Soyoon Choi: Soyoon is from South Korea and a student from SungKyunKwan University in Seoul.

Inspired by a one-year study away program in Mexico, Soyoon hopes to continue her graduate

studies in Norway, specializing in the natural resources management of Central Asia, especially in

Russia, and in governance of sustainable development by promoting ecotourism in the Caribbean.

• Gabriela Cicenia: Originally from Ecuador, Gabriela is a PhD candidate in International Economics

and Tourism at the University of Valencia (Spain). As part of her program, she is doing a

fellowship at The George Washington University during the summer of 2017. She hopes to one

day apply her skills in Ecuador to assist with tourism planning, policy, and development.

• Paula Lewis: Paula is a Master of Arts in Tourism Management candidate at Royal Roads

University in Canada. She is from the Caribbean island of Grenada. During her tenure working

with Belmont Estate in Grenada, she gained extensive experience in agritourism, community

tourism, and sustainable development. She hopes to eventually apply the knowledge from her

international master's degree and internship with CREST at home in Grenada.

• Giao Nguyen: Hailing from Hue City, Vietnam, Giao is a professional fellow of the Department of

State's Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative. He is an official of the Thua Thien Hue

Department of Tourism, where he works on research and development. He spent a month with

CREST this summer in order to learn about sustainable tourism and how it can be applied in Hue

City. Then, working with CREST staff, Giao submitted a proposal for sustainable tourism

development in his home town.

• Ellen Rugh: Ellen is Philadelphia native and is currently pursuing her Master of International

Affairs and Natural Resources/Sustainable Development from American University in Washington,

DC and the University for Peace in Costa Rica. Ellen became interested in sustainable tourism

through her undergraduate research in Peru and Costa Rica and is interested in continuing

cultural exploration and sustainability through tourism research. Interested in cultural-heritage

tourism? Don't miss this informative essay by Ellen, "The Blurred Lines between Cultural

Authenticity and Staged Attractions in Indigenous Tourism."

• Santiago Zindel: Santi is pursuing a Master of Environmental Management degree from the Yale

School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and Master of Business Administration degree

from the Yale School of Management. A native of Mexico City, Santi has also lived in the United

States, France, and South Africa. Santi's interest in conservation of wildlife and wildlands across

the world and passion for travel have led him to pursue a career in the field of sustainable

tourism.

CREST in the News

• June 10, 2017: "The modern cure for the summertime blues." Are Americans taking the vacation they deserve? And what does that mean for the economy? PYMNTS.com writes about recent American vacation habits and trends including how much vacation is taken and mindful travel. CREST's Martha Honey weighs in on difficulties and opportunities with sustainable travel planning.

• May 29, 2017: "Greening your summer vacation." This New York Times article by Elaine Glusac provides resources on transportation, green operations, and social impacts for consideration when vacation planning. CREST's Martha Honey is quoted in regards to doing your sustainable travel homework.

• May 18, 2017: "What is 'green travel,' anyway? A beginner's guide to eco-friendly vacation planning." In this Washington Post article, Andrea Sachs offers suggestions from green travel experts, including Martha Honey, on how to make vacations more sustainable.