Career Opportunities - Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies - page 60

Dawn began her career in publishing as an editorial intern at
Newsweek magazine, working for the back-of-the-book depart-
ments such as ''cinema'' and ''book reviews.'' A move to a public
relations firm, Circulation Experti, enabled Dawn to use her writing
skills and learn the PR business, which allowed her to break into
the promotion and marketing side of the publishing business.

power to do. By nature, I am an optimist. And like the industry I
have been a part of for so long, I still feel that travel has the power
to cure many of the ills we face as a society. But there is a clarion
call that must be answered—and there is no better way to connect
the ''haves'' with the ''have-nots'' than travel.

The global recession has made a negative impact on jobs every-
where. The travel industry—one of the world's biggest employers—
has an opportunity to not only put people back to work but also
create careers and real commerce that can economically sustain local
communities.

The proving ground for Dawn was W magazine, where she was
first promotion manager and then director of marketing for
four years. She then moved on to a similar position at the
Atlantic Monthly and subsequently into ad sales at another
title.

Careers and commerce are not limited to jobs with big companies,
or start-ups of businesses in major urban areas. People in far-
flung locations have an opportunity to cash in on the recent
awakening of traveler's need for authentic experiences. Consumers
are looking for intimate experiences in travel.

Dawn spent eight formative career years at the New York Times
Magazine Group, where she worked her way up from a sales
position at Golf Digest to sales management positions at Tennis
and McCall's magazines.

Much of the success and growth at Traveler stem from the
leadership role the magazine has assumed within its core industry,
along with its solid positioning as the only consumer magazine
published that addresses the practical needs of the frequent
traveler by covering ''all travel, all the time.'' The activities,
commitment, and interest in travel have generated an audience of
more than 7 million readers, millions of dollars in revenue for the
magazine, increased its stature in the field, and provided access to
very active experiential consumers.

Handmade, one-of-a-kind items as souvenirs, personal encounters
such as meals cooked in homes or community centers are a couple
of examples of the level of intimacy travelers seek—all of which
can be translated into business that can be sustained by travel.

What's new is that economically developed nations like the United
States will begin to offer an increasing number of opportunities to
draw travelers into the smaller corners of this country. Many
major travel destinations have begun to consider how to bring
travelers beyond the bigger cities and attractions, deeper into the
countries where the benefits of tourism can filter deeper into the
communities.

In her off hours, Dawn enjoys photography, and hopes she will one
day be discovered by the National Geographic Society. She enjoys
gourmet cooking and is an avid magazine reader.

India's very impressive rural tourism program crafted by the
Ministry of Tourism and the UN Development Program is an
example of what can and should be created in many places. Each
of the villages in the program offers visitors a cultural, communal
experience that includes food, handicrafts, local entertainment, and
lodging. It affords travelers the experiences that make great
memories and allows members of small communities to create
commerce that will sustain them economically. The rural villages
are easily reached from many of the major destinations and receive
marketing support from the federal and local governments.

A graduate of Tufts University, where she majored in political
science and international law, Dawn has maintained a keen
interest in world affairs and is proficient in French and Spanish.
She has been to many parts of Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, the
South Pacific, and North America, both for pleasure and as part of
her job responsibilities at Traveler.

THE FUTURE: WE ARE ALL IN
THE TRAVEL BUSINESS

This method of commerce, along with micro-financing for small or
individual development of travel businesses, is becoming the norm
globally. It is one of the ways travel will help to sustain individual
cultures, maintain living wages, and allow citizens to make
valuable contributions to society in general.

TRAVEL AND THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY-BASED
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
I used to look at the future of travel in terms of what it would one
day become instead of what it, as an industry, would have the

Festivals and Events

Festivals and events are one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism industry. Event
management is emerging as a field, is becoming more professional, and is providing a new source
of job opportunities. Events are creating of ces and moving them to year-round operation.
The International Special Events Society (ISES) has a career center. Visit www.ises.com and click
on Career Center.