I hold a Master’s Degree in Geography, specializing in Sustainable Tourism. I have held many key roles as tourism development officers and have overseen Destination Development and Stewardship teams for Destination Management Organizations and government entities.
I am a trained facilitator who has lead many collaborative and inclusive engagement processes.
I am a strategist who has designed visionary yet implementable destination development plans for communities, areas, regions and other long term roadmaps for organizations and destinations.
I am a inclusive trainer and educator (certified trainer with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council) who cares about helping people understand regenerative tourism.
Professional Experience
Tourism Strategist & Project Manager Oct 2024 – present
Freelance contractor
Manager, Destination Development – Iconics 2022-2024 Destination British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
- Led the development of strategic plans, projects and programs to support remarkable visitor experiences and advance the goal of sustainable tourism growth in more places and at more times of the year across British Columbia, Canada
- Championed the integration between branding, marketing and destination management as a key success factor in the Invest in Iconics Strategy
- Nurtured relationships with core partners including Indigenous Tourism BC, the tourism regions and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
- Led engagement and relationship building with all levels of government
- Led the Destination Canada Tourism Corridor Strategy Program for the Highway 3 Corridor
- Managed processes, business plans, budgets & procurement processes
- Managed complex multi-partner projects
- Led, mentored and developed the destination development team in an hybrid setting
French Facilitator, “Decade of Action” National Program 2022 – 2023
Synergy Enterprise & Tourism Industry Association of Canada
• Supported francophone business owners in aligning their business strategy with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and creating robust ESG action plans through facilitating group workshops and 1:1 coaching sessions
Industry & Destination Development Specialist 2015-2022
Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada
- Led the Destination Development Strategic Planning and implementation for four planning areas strategies and the Kootenay Rockies Destination Development Strategy
- Developed strong relationships with a broad cross-section of stakeholders including local government, provincial government ministries, non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, businesses and economic development corporations
- Established the Kootenay Rockies Destination Management Committee
- Coordinated and hosted media & travel trade FAM trips, represented the Powder Highway at key trade event in francophone markets
- Developed the regional sustainability charter, sustainable tourism programs and incentives for industry as well as visitor education/responsible travel campaigns.
- Contributed in positioning the Kootenay Rockies region as a leader in destination stewardship and the first destination to secure the Sustainable Tourism 2030 certification and one of the firsts to secure the Biosphere certification in North America.
Community Development Specialist 2011-2015
Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada
- Led the implementation of Destination BC’s Community Tourism Programs in the Kootenay Rockies region, allowing 15 communities to access funding, tools and facilitation to develop strategic tourism plans and implement destination management and marketing initiatives
- Performed duties related to the organization’s mandate including public speaking and presentations, public relations, media releases, industry events, research, implementing coop marketing activities, consumer content development and social media
Tourism Development Officer 2009-2010
Haute-Côte-Nord Regional District, Tadoussac, Quebec, Canada
- Led a feasibility study for the development of a port of call for international boutique cruise ships in the Bay of Tadoussac, including assessment of facilities and public infrastructures, market-readiness of the regional tourism industry and level of community support
- Contributed in generating positive awareness from cruise companies as well as strong buy-in and support from the community resulting in two international adventure boutique cruise companies choosing to call in the Bay of Tadoussac during the summer of 2011 and a steady growth in demand since.
Education & Training
Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Sustainable Tourism Training
(4- week online training) 2025
Facilitation Skills for Leaders, University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business, Vancouver 2023
Diversity & Inclusion Training, Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion 2021
Indigenous Consultation & Engagement, Indigenous Corporate Training -One-day online course 2021
Working Effectively with Indigenous People™, Indigenous Corporate Training – In-person one-day course 2019
Thesis-Based Masters’ Degree in Geography Sp. “Sustainable Tourism and stakeholders dynamics”. Université Grenoble-Alpes, France. With Honours. 2009
Masters’ Degree Course in “Management and Development of Rural and Mountain Areas” Université de la Méditerrannée Aix-Marseille II, Gap, France. With Honours. 2008
Volunteering & Community Involvement
Volunteer Grant reviewer, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, Outdoor Recreation Fund 2025 Intake
Vice-president, Association des parents d’élèves, Ecole les Mélèzes Dorés, Kimberley, BC, Canada 2021-2024
Vice-president, Willow Vista Strata Council, Kimberley, BC Canada 2019-2024
Youth program director, Kimberley Nordic Club, 2019-2022
Nordic Coach (National Community Certified Coach), Kimberley Nordic Club, 2018-2024
Emilie Cayer-Huard 