The STI Inner View by Frances Figart

Formerly the editor of Courier, the monthly travel magazine for the National Tour Association, Frances Figart (rhymes with Tiger) has spoken about ecotourism marketing at travel industry conferences in the U.S., Canada and Europe, is a special advisor to Sustainable Travel International, and has shared her communications skills as a speaker and through committee work with The International Ecotourism Society and as a volunteer and sponsor for the Adventure Travel Trade Association. Most recently the director of marketing and communications for Canadian adventure travel leader Seascape Kayak Tours, Frances launched the company’s rebranding initiative, developing its web site and promoting its ecotourism work in Canada and Costa Rica. She is currently the director of social marketing for Terra Incognita Ecotours, which explores such ecotourism destinations as Borneo, Madagascar, New Zealand, Rwanda and Tanzania, giving back to conservation partners in each destination as part of its client fees. She also directs social marketing for Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, winner of the World Savers Award for Small Hotel Chains from Conde Nast Traveler, for which she manages online media for Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort, Latitude 10 Resort and Harmony Hotel in Costa Rica, and the new Jicaro Island Ecolodge in Nicaragua. Her blogs and interviews are published on the web sites of all the aforementioned clients, and her articles have appeared in a variety of travel trade publications including The International Ecotourism Society’s Digital Traveler, Group Travel Leader and Planeta. Best known for her interviews, Frances will provide the STI Inner View, an in-depth question-and-answer with a sustainable travel professional each month.

Visit Frances on her blog site http://francesfigart.wordpress.com/