My ethical career: Responsible tourism manager
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Age 38 Education A Masters in responsible tourism and conservation, from the University of Greenwich. So, what do you actually do? I was one of the first responsible travel managers to be appointed to a travel company. I oversee Exodus Travel’s responsible tourism policy, deliver in- house and external training, write and update our literature, oversee our projects and work with responsible tourism organisations. What makes your job so ethical? Tourism is a business with the ability to change things for both good and bad. Tourism requires an ethical approach to the way operations are planned and run, and to working with destinations and local communities. How did you get into the job? While I was doing my Masters, I worked part time for Exodus, basing my research on the company. I was able to see the ideas I was studying in practice. From the research, I put together a policy framework which I then used to help create the policy that the company now has. This work prompted the company to offer me the position. What kind of personality is best suited to working in a job like yours? A keen desire to achieve results in the responsible tourism field. Flexibility, patience, but with a good bit of common sense. What skills and experience do you need to work in this sector? Travel experience counts for everything. I spent about six years leading trips around the world, before I became responsible tourism manager. It is a people focused industry, so the ability to get on with people is important. What's the most memorable experience you've had in this job? Being stuck in a mud hole in the middle of the Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo). The mud hole took a day and a half to negotiate, and was deep enough to walk over the cab of the truck unaided. It was the local truck drivers and local people who were trying to get us out. That made it an unforgettable event. What is the best thing about your job? What we are able to achieve for the local communities who benefit from what we do. And the worst things? Having to live in London, the relatively low pay and the frustration of sitting in an office. Exodus Travel www.exodus.co.uk
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