Bio
Director, Sustaining Tourism
A dynamic, self starter with over 25 years international experience across a wide spectrum of the tourism industry. Rachel has worked with hotels, large and small tour operators, tourism planners, sustainable tourism management and marketing projects, international development banks, landscape and park planning firms, governments, NGO’s, marketing organizations and hospitality and tourism attractions.
Rachel is currently the Director of Sustaining Tourism – a boutique consulting firm. She is also a Professor at Ryerson University in Canada where she joined the Ted Rogers School of Tourism & Hospitality Management in 2006. From 2014-2018, she was the Director for Ryerson’s Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Research.
Having been trained to look at many different aspects of tourism, Rachel knows that sustainability means long term planning and management and that experience and understanding of diverse cultures and environments is a fundamental part of tourism. She also has seem many of the issues that lead to overtourism and understands how to avoid them. She has furthered her understanding of the industry through both her personal and work travels. She has now has traveled extensively to six continents and over 80 countries.
Rachel has two specialties within the tourism industry:
Sustainable/responsible/eco consulting – strategy, development, environmental management, research, business planning, marketing and communications. She has undertaken a range of tourism development and marketing consulting assignments both alone and in cooperation with other companies.
Communication, marketing and public relations implementation including speaking engagements. Her experience includes non-profit organizations, tour companies, ecolodges and entrepreneurs.
Rachel holds a PhD from the University of Surrey in the UK and a Master of Tourism Management from Griffith University in Australia. She also holds an undergraduate degree in sociology and political studies as well as a business management diploma from Canadian institutes.
She has taught at both colleges and universities delivering classes on sustainable tourism, research, ecotourism/adventure recreation, tourism policy, marketing and strategic business development. In addition to giving worldwide lectures on sustainable tourism, overtourism and urban sustainability, she has guest lectured at events and conferences worldwide and contributes to the tourism community through a number of boards and memberships.
Rachel has written, co-authored and edited articles about sustainable tourism, tourist motivations, CSR, islands, tourism development and planning and urban sustainability. She has published a book about overtourism, sustianable tourism policy and planning and island sustainable tourism.
For a list of a few of her publications, click here.
Rachel’s PhD examined coastal mass tourism and sustainable tourism policy
Professional Memberships and Boards
Canada’s Federal Council for Jobs and the Visitor Economy (2018 – present)
Transportation Options Board Member (2014 – present)
Sustainable Tourism International (STI) Canada (2013- 2014)
Sustainable Tourism Degree Program Advisory Board, Centennial (2011)
Transportation Options Board Member (2011 – 2012)
The Icarus Foundation founding member and Board Member (2007 – 2010)
Canadian Sustainable Tourism Advisory Council (2008-2011)
SDEA Advisory Board (2008-present)
Green Motion Express (2007 to 2010)
Travel & Tourism Research Association (TTRA), Canada – Board of Directors (2008 & 2009 and 2001-2005)
The International Ecotourism Society – Member
Tourism Concern – Member
Ecoclub:
The International Ecotourism Club – Member, International Speakers Bureau (2001-2005)
CESO Volunteer (2007-2011)
Toastmasters International – Designated Competent Toastmaster
2018: Ted Rogers School of Management Research Achievement Award, Ryerson University
2015: PM4SD, Practitioner Certification
2014: Faculty Scholarly, Research and Creative Activity Award, Ryerson University
2011: Faculty Scholarly, Research and Creative Activity Award, Ryerson University
2010: Outstanding contribution to the Ryerson Hospitality and Tourism Management student experience
2008: Nominated for Best Lecturer Competition, TVO
2006: ITB Science Award for Sustainable Tourism- selected for best international paper
2004: British Airways/Royal Geographical Society Travel Bursary
