Costas Christ

Costas Christ "co-founded Tamu Safaris in 1987 with degrees in both Wildlife Ecology and in International Studies. He has spent 18 years living and working throughout Africa, first as a wildlife researcher under the auspices of a Harvard University primate research project in Northern Kenya, and later as Director of Africa Programs at the School for International Training and Programme Director of Conservation Corporation Africa. He speaks fluent Swahili in addition to his native English.

"Costas works closely with leading international conservation organizations and development agencies to promote responsible tourism to natural areas that conserves the environment and brings economic benefits to the local people. He has been a special project advisor and consultant to World Wildlife Fund - Namibia, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Association for the Protection of Natural Areas in Madagascar. He is a founding member and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Ecotourism Society, a professional organization that promotes ecotourism principles and practices.

"His film experience includes work on the PBS television documentary, "Sea Power - A Global Journey" and advisor to Acacia Films' "Terra Trek" documentary on ecotourism. Costas' background in adventure travel and Africa also encompasses numerous articles he has written for the New York Times, Boston Globe, London Sunday Times, International Herald Tribune, and East-West Journal, among others. His radio and television appearances include Fox 5 Morning News, Public Broadcasting Service, Christian Science Monitor World Report, and Voice of America.

"A well-known international speaker, he has delivered lectures on the subject of nature conservation and ecotourism in more than twenty different countries and his work has brought him in touch with renowned conservation figures including Jane Goodall, Joy and George Adamson, Diane Fossey, and Dr. Richard Leakey."

"Costas Christ is an internationally recognized expert on sustainable tourism and serves as Chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council - Tourism for Tomorrow Awards that promote global tourism best practices. He is a contributing editor and columnist for National Geographic Adventure magazine and Chairman of the Adventures in Travel Expo Conferences. Costas works with Big Five Tours and Expeditions on their "Spirit of Big Five" travel philanthropy program that helps to protect the cultural and natural heritage of our planet. His travels and sustainable tourism work have taken him to more than 100 countries and six continents. He is a founding member and former Chairman of the Board of The International Ecotourism Society and served as a Senior Director for Ecotourism at Conservation International in Washington DC, where he supervised sustainable tourism development projects in 22 countries."


 * Executive Board, Sustainable Travel International