Seattle, WA (October 4, 2016) – Sustainable Travel International, the leading nonprofit focused on improving lives and protecting places through changes in the way destinations around the world manage travel and tourism, announced today that Geoff Bolan is named Chief Executive Officer.  Bolan succeeds Sustainable Travel International’s Founder and CEO, Brian Mullis. Mullis will transition into an Executive Advisor role after nearly 14 years guiding the organization. Bolan will lead Sustainable Travel International in its next chapter of growth, focusing on expanding the organization’s global impact to combat threats like environmental degradation and economic inequality.

Bolan joined Sustainable Travel International in January 2016 as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer. His background includes more than 25 years of management, business development, and strategic planning on a global scale in both the non-profit and private sectors. Bolan held multiple leadership roles with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), leading all commercial development for the Americas region, then running all aspects of U.S. operations.  He has held previous management positions in the hospitality sector with TravelCLICK, McDonalds, and iExplore. Bolan started his career in enterprise and ecotourism development with Conservation International, working primarily in Latin America. Bolan earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a BA in international relations from Tufts University.

“Geoff has exhibited the expertise and leadership skills necessary to guide Sustainable Travel International into its next phase of growth,” said Roger Lang, Chairman of the Board. “The work of this organization is crucial to ensuring the well-being of destinations and people around the world and the Board is confident in Geoff’s vision for the organization and ability to expand this impact going forward.”

“We’re working to ensure a better future for some of the world’s most vulnerable destinations – such as the Galapagos Islands, Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, Panama, and Indonesia. I look forward to helping Sustainable Travel International deepen this global impact,” said Bolan. “Travel and tourism represents 1 in 11 jobs around the world; and harnessing this economic strength to improve living conditions and protect sensitive environments is no small task. It requires the participation of governments, the private sector, and individuals. I greatly appreciate the confidence of our Board, and all the accomplishments of the organization’s founder, Brian Mullis.”  

For any media inquiries regarding the transition, please contact Kaitlyn Brajcich at kaitlynb@sustainabletravel.org.

 

About Sustainable Travel International

Sustainable Travel International is a non-profit organization working to improve the lives of people around the world and the environments they rely on. By leveraging the power of travel and tourism, which employs 1 in every 11 people on the planet, we aim to ensure that communities thrive and their environments are healthy for future generations. For more information, visit www.sustainabletravel.org.