Leading Eco-Tourism Experts

Jennifer Spatz is the Founder of Global Family Travels and a leader in regenerative, community-based tourism. A cultural anthropologist at heart, she designs immersive travel experiences grounded in her company’s mission to Learn, Serve, and Immerse—connecting travelers meaningfully with local communities, cultures, and natural environments. Through partnerships with global and local nonprofits, Jennifer integrates regenerative tourism principles and aligns programs with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Her journeys combine cultural exchange, educational experiences, homestays, and community-driven projects that strengthen social and environmental systems in the destinations visited. Her insights on regenerative travel have been featured in TravelAge West (“Regenerative Meets Family Fun”) and on the podcast Regenerative Tourism: When Sustainability Isn’t Enough. (see all news links here: https://www.globalfamilytravels.com/news)

I’m a content strategist and editor focused on building trustworthy, eco-conscious consumer guidance. I manage Earthava, a platform focused on providing trustworthy, practical product reviews and sustainability information. I specialize in translating complex research into clear writing, balancing SEO with authenticity, and creating content that feels like advice from a knowledgeable friend. My approach prioritizes credibility, long-term brand value, and helping people make confident decisions.

Maurice Smith, CTIE, is a hospitality strategist, writer, and advisor whose work sits at the intersection of restorative hospitality, regenerative tourism, place-based guest experience, and community stewardship. His perspective is shaped by a belief that the future of hospitality will not be defined by access, amenities, or aesthetics alone, but by meaning: how a place connects people to culture, memory, ecology, community, and a deeper sense of belonging. Maurice’s background includes luxury travel advisory, destination strategy, guest experience, hospitality education, business strategy, media commentary, travel writing, and public-facing thought leadership. His work has been recognized by leading travel publications and industry platforms, and his insight has been sought by national travel, business, and consumer media outlets covering travel trends, hospitality, sustainability, and evolving traveler expectations. Today, his work centers on the development of hospitality, education, and stewardship concepts that explore how travel and place can help restore both people and communities. His current focus includes small-scale hospitality, cultural storytelling, environmental education, regenerative tourism, guest experience, community-centered learning, and restoration-centered leadership.

For the past six years, my family and I have lived and traveled continuously around the world, visiting every continent in a 13-month span and documenting the experience as full-time travel creators. Along the way, our YouTube channels have grown to more than 700,000 subscribers, drawn not to glossy brochure travel, but to the real version: the logistics, the decisions, the tradeoffs, and the moments that don’t fit neatly into an Instagram square. After decades spent running digital marketing agencies, I co-founded ABC Trips, a luxury and adventure travel agency focused on high-touch, experience-driven travel—polar expeditions, African safaris, expedition cruising, private yachts, and deeply cultural itineraries designed for solos, couples, groups, and families. The work sits at the intersection of brokerage, storytelling, and logistics, with a strong bias toward knowing what’s genuinely worth the splurge—and what’s just good marketing. Along the way, I’ve served as a quoted travel industry source for major publications, appeared on network news segments and podcasts, and collaborated closely with leading travel brands, lodges, and expedition operators worldwide. My commentary often focuses on luxury and expedition travel, family and multigenerational travel, travel trends, and what it actually takes to design a location-flexible life that works long-term. These days, my time is split between: - Advising clients on exceptional luxury and adventure travel through ABC Trips - Serving as a media source and collaborator for journalists and brands - Continuing to explore the world with my family—still learning, still curious I’m not especially interested in chasing trends or shouting into the void. I value thoughtful questions, smart conversations, and people who care about doing things well—and enjoying the ride while they’re at it. If our paths cross, there’s a good chance we’ll have something interesting to talk about.

I'm building Give Back Guide, a regenerative travel platform that lowers the barriers to sustainable and regenerative travel for everyone. Rather than expecting travellers to understand buzzwords, Give Back Guide meets travellers where they already are but offering easy swaps for the things they already do when they travel. Everything listed on Give Back Guide has a positive impact on people, places the planet.

Formerly a business owner in the fashion industry, I have redirected my career to catalyzing positive environmental change. As an Environmental Scientist and Project Manager I am hands on deploying ehnanced phytoremediation systems on contaminated and degraded sites throughout California. As an International Keynote Speaker, I am passionate about raising awareness and inspiring action on pressing environmental issues. Additionally, as a Native Plant Workshop Educator, I empower individuals to connect with their local ecosystems and promote biodiversity starting with their own backyard and communities. Join me in the environmental revolution, and together, we can make a lasting impact on our planet. Let's connect and collaborate for a greener, more sustainable future.

I am a freelance syndicated travel writer with bylines in Fortune Magazine, Euronews, Yahoo, Fox, MSN, NBC, The Indiana Gazette, The San Francisco Examiner, Star Local Media, The Daily Gazette and more. I am also the founder and editor-in-chief at Eco Lodges Anywhere, featured in Forbes. All articles are available on Muckrack: https://muckrack.com/emese-maczko or on https://ecolodgesanywhere.com/category/news/

China Travel Expert & Cultural Insider Experience at crafting immersive journeys across China, I specialize in unveiling authentic stories behind this vast nation. From ancient Silk Road cities of Xinjiang to misty rice terraces of Guilin, I help travelers and media navigate China's cultural treasures beyond the typical tourist trail. As a bilingual China travel specialist, I offer insider perspectives on: Emerging destinations and hidden gems across China's diverse regions Cultural etiquette, local traditions, and cross-cultural insights Sustainable and responsible tourism in sensitive areas Silk Road history and its modern-day significance Regional cuisine, from Uyghur pilaf to Sichuan hotpot Navigating China's evolving travel regulations Off-the-beaten-path adventures for discerning travelers I work with journalists, travel writers, and content creators seeking authentic China stories beyond the headlines. Whether you need expert commentary on travel trends, destination features, or cultural insights, I provide nuanced perspectives rooted in firsthand experience and deep local connections. Available for interviews, podcast appearances, article contributions, and expert commentary on China travel and culture. Martina

My work focuses on the intersection of consumerism, overproduction, marketing, and climate change. I aim to bring easily digestible guidance to everyone on how to live a more sustainable life for people, animals, and the planet, without sacrificing joy, style, and fulfillment. My No New Things Challenge has been awarded a Silver Stevie Award for Non-profit Innovation, and is now a popular book by the same name, with a trademarked process that gets folks out of the consumerist swirl and back into their lives. I am a featured expert on CNN, Live with Kelly & Mark, TODAY, Good Morning America, have spoken at SXSW and the United Nations, and have a popular TED Talk. I hold a BA from Brown University and an MSc from The University of Oxford, UK, am a Professor of Marketing for Sustainability at various institutions, and live in Chicago, IL. In a nutshell: I reconnect people with the truth that they have and are enough.

International Sustainable Luxury Hospitality Expert, Speaker & Lead Auditor with 13+ years of experience curating high-end eco-luxury properties across 20+ countries. She provides expert commentary for global media on ultra-luxury travel, holistic wellness, regenerative tourism, and ESG hotel standards. Available for insights on luxury travel trends, wellness retreats, greenwashing, and conscious hospitality worldwide.

I’m the founder of Limitless Morocco Tours and a Morocco travel expert with hands-on experience designing private tours, desert adventures, and cultural journeys across Morocco. I specialize in helping travelers experience authentic Morocco through customized itineraries, local guides, and immersive desert experiences in places like Marrakech and Merzouga. I regularly share expert insights on Morocco travel, safety, itineraries, and best practices for first-time visitors.

Thomas Lu is a systems thinker, entrepreneur, the author of The Personal Sustainability Handbook and the founder of The Sustainabilitist (sustainabilitist.com), a project dedicated to sustainabilize the many different facets of human activities. A musician, polyglot, theorist and troubleshooter by hobby, his need for sustainability has led him to a general philosophy for tackling human challenges.

I am a travel journalist with bylines in New York Times, The Guardian, BBC Travel, CN Travel and more. I run the anti-overtourism travel blog Shortcuts and Sidequests, dedicated to sustainable adventures. If you are writing about sustainable travel, eco-tourism, or solo female adventures, please get in touch, I will be happy to answer your questions.

I am a Central America Travel Specialist and Luxury Itinerary Designer at Mayan Gateway, with deep expertise in curating high-end, experiential journeys across Guatemala, Mexico, and the region. My focus is on connecting discerning travelers with authentic cultural heritage, sustainable luxury, and private, off-the-beaten-path expeditions. With a professional background in project management and customer experience, I specialize in the logistics of luxury travel in remote locations—from private helicopter transfers in the Mayan biosphere to exclusive access to indigenous artisan cooperatives. I am passionate about promoting Central America as a world-class destination that balances exclusivity with deep cultural respect and environmental conservation.

I am the Founder of Jungle Revives, a wildlife travel company dedicated to creating authentic, responsible, and conservation-focused wildlife experiences across India. With more than 15 years of experience in the technology industry, I have built my career around innovation, digital transformation, and delivering technology solutions for clients across the globe. While technology has shaped my professional journey, my lifelong passion for wildlife, conservation, and nature has led me to build a second career dedicated to India's incredible natural heritage. Over the years, I have travelled extensively through some of India's most iconic national parks, including Jim Corbett, Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Tadoba, Dudhwa, Kaziranga, Bharatpur, and several other wildlife destinations. These experiences have given me practical, on-ground knowledge of safari planning, wildlife behaviour, birdwatching, wildlife photography, conservation challenges, and responsible tourism. Through Jungle Revives, I design customized wildlife journeys for travellers from around the world, helping them experience India's forests in a way that supports conservation, respects wildlife, and benefits local communities. My focus goes beyond simply arranging safaris—I aim to create meaningful wildlife experiences that educate, inspire, and foster a deeper appreciation for biodiversity. I also create educational wildlife content, document field experiences, and share insights on safari planning, ecotourism, wildlife photography, conservation, and sustainable travel. I regularly contribute knowledge on topics including tiger safaris, national parks, responsible tourism, biodiversity conservation, birding destinations, and India's wildlife tourism industry. I strongly believe that responsible tourism can play a vital role in conservation by generating awareness, supporting protected areas, creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities, and encouraging travellers to become ambassadors for wildlife conservation. My mission through Jungle Revives is simple: to help people experience India's wildlife responsibly while promoting conservation, ethical travel, and a lasting connection with nature.

Geographicinsight.com is the ultimate destination for exploring the world through a geographic lens. Led by a passionate geographer with over 20 years of experience in GIS, this organization offers invaluable insights and initiatives. Our motivation lies in uncovering the profound impact of geography on various aspects of life and society. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive articles and programs tailored to enrich your understanding. Over the years, we have served a diverse range of clients, including educational institutions, government agencies, and businesses seeking geographic insights to inform their decision-making.

A leading expert on motorhome holidays in New Zealand. Offering practical tips, hidden-gem itineraries, and commentary on travel trends for your story, with a focus on sustainable travel. With 20 years of experience helping thousands of people explore New Zealand on the ultimate road trip. Our focus is on high-quality, sustainable travel. Available to provide expert commentary, tips, or full quotes on: New Zealand travel trends, the best self-drive itineraries (both North & South Island), tips for first-time motorhome travellers, sustainable tourism and travel in NZ, the New Zealand tourism industry

Dedicated wildlife tourism expert and safari tour organizer based in Ranthambore, Rajasthan. Experienced in national park safari logistics, tiger zone planning, wildlife photography tours, and sustainable eco-tourism management.

Jared Sternberg is a passionate champion for the environment and its communities. With his company, Gondwana Ecotours, he has become a leader in sustainable travel. Raised in a home where sustainability was not only taught, but practiced, Jared understood the importance of preserving the environment around him at an early age. His awareness and appreciation for the world inspired a thirst for travel that began in his adolescence and continued into adulthood. At the University of California, San Diego, Jared pursued an International Studies and Spanish Literature degree. During his studies, he spent a semester abroad in Barcelona to immerse himself in the local language and culture. Following this, he backpacked across Europe, which solidified his belief in the transformative power of travel. Upon graduating, Jared left California again in search of meaningful travel experiences. His journeys led him to Africa, where he worked with locals in Ghana to build a vocational school. Inspired by their resilience and commitment to creating positive social change, Jared reflected more deeply on inequity, privilege, and his role in shaping a better world. As a result, between 2010 and 2013, Jared studied environmental and human rights law at Tulane University’s Law School in Louisiana, hoping to positively impact communities through legal action. During his studies, he continued broadening his perspective by working with locals in Ecuador, Cuba, Brazil, Panama, Nicaragua, Alaska, and more. During this time, Jared had a pivotal realization– working with local communities to improve the conditions of the places he traveled to provided a profound and direct impact on the world. While legal actions are a necessary piece of the puzzle, after observing the sustainable projects of ecolodges that he frequented and worked with, Jared began to see tourism as a powerful channel for redistributing resources and educating others. This realization sparked the vision of Gondwana Ecotours. Jared aspired to create a small, sustainable tour operation whose mission was to generate positive change for the destinations and communities it visited. The tours would emphasize nature, wildlife, and local culture to create unique experiences that foster genuine connections between the traveler and the places they explore. In 2013, he founded Gondwana Ecotours, dedicating to serving the communities he worked with, the destinations he cherished, and for you–the intrepid traveler seeking meaningful, sustainable travels off the beaten path. When he’s not working with his global team office or collaborating on-site with local vendors, Jared resides in Homer, Alaska, with his wife Ashley, son Levi, and dog Leeroy. In his spare time, Jared enjoys wildlife viewing and photography, playing and watching soccer, and practicing the drums and piano.

Over the past 25 years, my work has centred on understanding how people move, connect and build relationships through business, travel and shared experiences. I am the Founder of Pollen Dots, a journey design company that helps organisations strengthen leadership, employee experience, customer relationships, dealer engagement, brand activation and community building through thoughtfully designed journeys across India and Bhutan. Alongside building Pollen Dots, I have spent more than two decades with Indian Railways in commercial operations, gaining first-hand experience in mobility, customer behaviour, logistics and large-scale public service operations. Over the last two decades, I have travelled extensively across India and Bhutan, exploring not only destinations but also the communities, cultures and ecosystems that shape them. These journeys reinforced my belief that destinations are not simply places people visit. They influence conversations, relationships, trust and long-term organisational outcomes. Before founding Pollen Dots, I helped build Road Trippers Club, now The Indian Roadtrip Cruisers, which grew into a road travel community across 16 major Indian cities. I was also associated with ScoutMyTrip, recognised as Startup of the Year, India 2019, contributed travel writing to Outlook Traveller, and actively participated in Devil On Wheels, one of India's most respected Himalayan travel communities. Through Pollen Dots, I have developed concepts including Journey Architecture, Destination Thinking, Journey Environment Principle and Care-Based Travel, helping organisations view journeys as strategic business initiatives rather than logistical events. I also lead Spreading Smiles, an initiative that integrates simple acts of kindness, cultural exchange and community engagement into journeys, reinforcing the belief that meaningful travel should benefit both travellers and the communities that host them. Today, I write and speak about leadership, employee experience, organisational culture, customer engagement, dealer engagement, corporate offsites, leadership retreats, MICE, destination strategy, brand activation and responsible tourism. My work explores how thoughtfully designed journeys strengthen collaboration, organisational culture and long-term relationships, helping leaders rethink travel as a strategic platform for building stronger people, stronger relationships and stronger organisations.