Lost at what to study? Discover your direction with our Career Compass! Explore opportunities in the Sustainable Tourism industry to map your educational path.
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30 Jun 2025
8 Min Read
Taylor's Team (Editor)
Lost at what to study? Discover your direction with our Career Compass! Explore opportunities in the Sustainable Tourism industry to map your educational path.
Sustainable tourism is reshaping the way we experience the world. It's no longer just about sightseeing — it’s about travelling with purpose. As global concerns around climate change, overtourism, and cultural preservation continue to rise, this industry is becoming increasingly essential.
At its core, sustainable tourism is about protecting the environment, valuing cultural heritage, and ensuring that tourism creates long-term benefits for the people and places we visit.
But what exactly is sustainable tourism, and why should you, as a high schooler or high school graduate, consider a career in this industry?
The answer lies in the growing demand for responsible, inclusive, and regenerative approaches to travel. Professionals in sustainable tourism design and manage experiences that conserve nature, support local economies, and celebrate diverse cultures, making tourism more resilient and relevant for today’s world.
From community-based tourism and eco-lodge development to sustainability auditing and digital storytelling, this industry offers a wide range of meaningful career pathways. Whether you’re drawn to environmental conservation, cultural advocacy, or hospitality innovation, there’s a place for your skills and interests in sustainable tourism. Let’s explore five exciting roles that are helping shape the future of travel and the educational routes that can lead you there.
A Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Coordinator works with rural and indigenous communities to develop travel experiences rooted in local traditions, stories, and environments. They help communities plan and lead activities like homestays, cultural workshops, or nature walks, ensuring tourism is community-led and low-impact. Their role also includes guiding communities on how to manage tourism income sustainably and protect their way of life from the pressures of mass tourism.
This career is a good fit for those who are interested in rural tourism, hands-on project work, and community planning. If you’re someone who values cultural authenticity, likes coordinating with different people, and wants to make sure tourism brings real benefits to the people hosting it, this role offers a practical and purposeful path.
A Sustainable Travel Influencer creates educational content that promotes eco-conscious travel, cultural appreciation, and responsible behaviours. They use platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok to highlight meaningful travel experiences, and often collaborate with tourism boards or ethical brands to encourage mindful tourism choices.
This career is a good fit for those who are passionate about storytelling, digital content, and responsible travel. If you’re someone who’s active on social media, enjoys connecting with different audiences, and wants to influence how people explore the world with care and purpose, this role blends creativity with impact.
A Cultural Sustainability & Tourism Specialist collaborates with governments, tourism boards, and heritage organisations to ensure that tourism development supports cultural preservation such as safeguarding endangered languages, protecting historical sites, or ensuring cultural practices aren’t diluted by commercial tourism. They often influence long-term plans that guide how destinations manage their cultural assets responsibly.
This career is a great fit for those who are passionate about cultural identity, language preservation, and ethical tourism. If you care about how development affects communities and want to help protect local heritage while creating positive tourism experiences, this path could be for you.
An Impact Auditor evaluates eco-tourism businesses to ensure they follow recognised sustainability standards such as Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), EarthCheck, or Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. This involves conducting site assessments, reviewing business practices, and verifying that operations meet ESG criteria. Their work helps promote transparency and builds trust in tourism providers committed to responsible and sustainable practices
This career is a good fit for anyone who is passionate about accountability, sustainability, and making sure things are done right. If you’re detail-oriented, enjoy research, data, and fieldwork, whether it’s checking how eco-friendly a hotel really is, evaluating carbon footprints, or reviewing how tourism businesses treat their workers, this role offers purpose with precision.
Not sure if this path is right for you? Talk with a counsellor to explore how your interests can fit into the world of sustainable tourism — and find out which programmes can help you get there. They’re here to help you map it out.
An Eco-lodge Entrepreneur plans, builds, and manages environmentally conscious accommodations, often located in nature-rich areas like forests, coasts, or highlands. These lodges are designed to minimise environmental impact by using sustainable materials, energy-efficient systems, and ethical sourcing practices.
This career suits those who are drawn to eco-tourism, purposeful travel, and creating nature-inspired stays that don’t just serve guests but support the planet and local communities too. If you're passionate about protecting the environment and want to build a business that makes a difference, this role combines sustainability, creativity, and impact.
Embarking on a career in sustainable tourism opens up exciting opportunities — from designing eco-friendly stays and managing community-based experiences to creating content that promotes conscious travel. Whether you're interested in cultural preservation, the environment, digital media, or business, there’s a place for you in this evolving field.
By focusing on the right subjects in high school and pursuing relevant degrees and skills, you can turn your interest in travel and sustainability into a career that benefits both people and the planet. The future of tourism is being reimagined, and your choices today can help shape a more responsible way to explore the world.
Inspired by the career options in this article? Book a session with our education counsellor and take the first step towards your future.
