Ethical Travel & Sustainable Tourism
I love to travel and believe it has the potential to expand perspective, foster connection, and cross-cultural exchange, but only when approached thoughtfully. Moving through the world with intention and respect is vital as a traveler.
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My experiences and research center on local voices and explore the social, economic, and environmental impacts of travel and tourism. Examining how tourism can be shaped to support environmental stewardship and long-term community well-being.
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Sections:
​Directed Research
Documentaries/ Video Projects
Proposals & UN SDG Based Analyses
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Directed Research
The Surfing Community & Culture in Bocas del Toro: Insights into Local Perspectives on Surf Tourism
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I spent one month researching how surf tourism shapes local culture, community dynamics, and, coastal ecosystems under Dr. Leon Mach. Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted interviews with local residents, tourism operators, and visitors, alongside observational and environmental assessments of surf sites and surrounding coastal areas. This project centered local perspectives and explored the social, cultural, and environmental impacts of surf tourism, highlighting the importance of community voices in sustainable tourism development.
We presented our final results to community members during a presentation hosted by the School for Field Studies.
Documentaries/Video Projects
Through documentary and video storytelling, these projects explore how tourism intersects with culture, environment, and community from local perspectives. Centering lived experiences and place-based knowledge to better understand how tourism shapes both people and ecosystems.
My projects include work on sustainable Indigenous tourism at a cacao (chocolate) farm, local perspectives on wildlife tourism in Bocas del Toro, and the surfing community and culture in Bocas del Toro.
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Proposals & UN SDG Based Analyses
These projects examine tourism, development, and land use through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on local perspectives.