Karma Tshering (PhD) 

Sustainable Tourism Advisor/Specialist

Founder – Bhutan Sustainable Tourism Society www.bhutantourismsociety.com 

Obtained his masters from University of Edinburgh and PhD from University of Sydney on sustainable tourism. Candid and passionate he has had an array of interesting and enriching experiences. Interning for 6 months in some of the prominent US national parks including the iconic ones like Yellowstone NP; evaluating tourists campsites in Masai Mara and Serengeti; traveling the length and breath of his country; conducting tiger surveys in the humid grasslands of Nepal, etc… He worked for the government under the Department of Parks Service for over 20 years during which time he was instrumental in making recreation and ecotourism as a part of the Forestry Program. He is a firm believer of incentive based conservation and thus a strong advocate of sustainable tourism – especially believing that it offers the best opportunities to achieve the overarching development vision of Bhutan - Gross National Happiness. Concerned that Bhutan’s tourism development is becoming vulnerable to increasing adverse impacts he established the Bhutan Sustainable Tourism Society an organization operated by like minded voluntary members. He presently works as a free lance consultant under the name of Eco Call consultancy services (www.ecocalling.com) developing tourism actions plans and projects for the government, donors and NGOs. In addition he serves as a council member for Tourism Council of Bhutan, Board member for Asian Ecotourism Network, and International evaluator for National Geographic Unique Lodges Program.