First Class

Beginning with the launch of The International Ecotourism Society, I have been researching how tourism affects environment, cultures, and economies for over 20 years.

After 12 years as an NGO leader and 8 years as an international consultant, I am bringing together the most ambitious project I have yet attempted to review the management of environmental impacts of tourism.

The course seeks to introduce all students to how the industry is structured first. The unique challenges of managing tourism’s supply chain will be a primary focus throughout the course. Tourism is an export industry, which brings the customer to the producer, almost unique in all forms of development. This fact makes tourism a highly unique product to manage from the environmental perspective. O

Harvard University Extension has provided the amazing venue to reach students around the world. My goal is to create a symposium that will help to define the challenges ahead, with many excellent speakers contributing.

My first class is tomorrow. I hope to document the experience of working with the students, my wonderful Teaching Assistants Alison and Mariah, and all of the guest lecturers.

I will update this blog throughout the semester. Course information is found here, and late registration is still possible! http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k72217