Working on Sustainability, With or Without a Title

I work as a Tourism Sustainability Manager to help small tourism businesses in Australia reduce carbon emissions and develop and communicate climate action plans. Each aspect of what I do and where I work now is a result of diverse experiences I gained throughout my professional journey, including some unexpected turns and unforeseen directions.

The starting point of my sustainable tourism journey wasn't just one event, but a mosaic of moments, each shaping my path in ways I'm only beginning to understand. Here's a glimpse into the memories that have guided my career toward making a positive impact through travel.

Early Inspirations: Growing Up in Patagonia, Travelling in Alaska

My first brush with tourism came early. I grew up in Chile's breathtaking Patagonia, a place of wild beauty that attracts adventurers from around the globe. My mother ran a small tourism business near the bustling port, and I watched as our quiet streets transformed each summer with the influx of visitors. The booming tourism of the early 2000s brought prosperity, but also challenges. I saw firsthand the delicate balance between welcoming tourists and preserving the pristine wilderness of Torres del Paine National Park, which, at its peak times, resembled a crowded mall more than a remote natural landscape.

In 2008, an exchange program took me to Alaska, where the travel bug bit hard. Immersing myself in diverse cultures, I realised that travel was more than just movement; it was an education (I am aware it is a privilege to travel by choice and there are too many of us that this isn’t an option). This epiphany was the first hint that my future lay in exploring how travel could enrich both the traveller and the destination.

A Turning Point: Getting to Know the Complexities of Tourism

In 2012, I did an exchange year in Australia while studying journalism, and I continued travelling in and around the region in search of immersive cultural experiences. It was during this time that I opened my eyes to the darker sides of tourism. The image of a young girl dancing for tourists in a pub haunted me, and I grappled with the complexities of tourism's impact on local communities. This experience shifted my focus from simply reporting on travel to understanding and advocating for sustainable practices that not just benefit visitors, but also truly make a positive difference for local communities and destinations.

This eventually led to the next chapter in my journey, as I moved to Melbourne in 2016 to pursue a Master’s in International Sustainable Tourism Management. The intense first months were a mix of inspiration and heartbreak as we dissected case studies of tourism gone wrong. It was here that I truly understood the multifaceted nature of sustainable tourism, encompassing not just environmental, but also social, cultural, and economic sustainability.

Advocating for Change: Tasmania and Beyond

By 2019, I was in Tasmania, working for Tourism Tasmania. While my role wasn't directly focused on sustainability, I seized every opportunity to weave sustainable practices into our operations, from promoting lesser-known sites to advocating for wildlife protection. My commitment to sustainability deepened, leading me to complete a Professionals Certificate course by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and to become a Climate Reality Leader.

In 2021, I stepped up as Tourism Tasmania’s Sustainability Officer, focusing on measuring and reducing our carbon footprint. This role was about more than numbers for me; it was about setting an internal example and driving our agency toward greater accountability and sustainability. I then moved to the Department of State Growth, where I was part of the Sustainable Tourism Working Group from Austrade to develop the Sustainable Tourism Framework and Toolkit. This role sharpened my focus on environmental sustainability—a pressing issue globally and a top priority in our discussions.

Yet, amidst this important work, I was particularly drawn to the often-overlooked aspect of cultural sustainability. I championed the integration of migrant perspectives into our sustainability practices, emphasising that these diverse communities are an integral part of the Australian cultural fabric. By doing so, I aimed to ensure that our approach to sustainability was truly holistic, recognising that protecting our planet involves supporting all its inhabitants.

Now, in my current role focused on climate actions for tourism businesses and as Board Member of the Migrant Resource Center Tasmania, I continue to advocate for a holistic approach to sustainability—one that includes the environmental, cultural, and social aspects that are often overlooked.

A Journey of Continuous Impact

I hope my story demonstrates that you don't need a title to integrate sustainability into your life. Whether it’s choosing the bus over a car, reducing meat consumption, or supporting migrant communities, you can start by taking concrete action through your own day-to-day activities. And you can advocate for holistic sustainability commitments at your workplace regardless of your position.

From the majestic landscapes of Patagonia to the dynamic environments of Australia, my journey in sustainable tourism continues to evolve. It’s about making conscious choices, minimising our impact, and inspiring others to do the same—because every step we take can lead to a better planet for future generations.