The Sustainable Tourism Lab team
consists of staff members and
consultants with decades of experience
developing tourism programs that include
an emphasis on sustainable tourism
principles.
Lab Staff
Robert Billington
The Lab is directed
by the experienced leadership of Robert
Billington, founder in 1985 of the
not-for-profit Blackstone Valley Tourism
Council, which is the managing agency
for tourism development in 9 communities
of Northern Rhode Island. The Council
develops historic, cultural, natural,
agricultural and commercial resources
using sustainable, resilient, whole
place-making strategies. In June of
2006, the Council was awarded the
Ulysses Prize from the United Nations
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). In
addition, the Blackstone Valley Tourism
Council earned the UNWTO’s S.best
Certification in Tourism Governance.
Billington developed the Sustainable
Tourism Planning and Development
Laboratory to assist communities in
tourism planning needs. He is an Adjunct
Professor at the Boston University
Graduate School, Johnson and Wales
University and is the Leisure Services
Management Curriculum coordinator at
Bristol Community College in
Massachusetts.
Natalie Carter
Natalie Carter
serves as the Director of Operations for
both the Blackstone Valley Tourism
Council and the Sustainable Tourism
Planning and Development Lab. She is
responsible for the growth and
development of both organizations. Her
years of experience in the non-profit
tourism sector make Natalie an asset to
the Laboratory team.
Lily Kayamba
Lily Kayamba and
Andrew Pierson provide valued experience
and support to the Lab. Lily’s research
analyst experience stretches from Rhode
Island to Rwanda and is personally
responsible for organizing the
sustainable tourism programs. Andrew’s
background as a planner and architect in
Chicago has landed him in the Blackstone
Valley as the coordinator for the Broad
Street Regeneration Initiative. Both
bring energy and creativity to the
tourism development program.
Consultant
Team
-
New Commons,
Pawtucket, RI – Meeting Facilitator
-
The Haywood
Group, Quebec CN – Writing and
Analysis
-
Graphic Pix Inc,
Narragansett, RI – Brand Design
-
Advantage
Marketing Information, Wickford, RI
– Tourism Marketing Research
-
Gates Leighton
Assoc, East Providence, RI -
Landscape Design
-
Creating
Results, East Greenwich, RI –
Special Consumer Market Research
-
Resilient
Futures, Westerly, RI – Conditions
Analysis
-
Yaeger
Communications, Swampscott, MA –
Cultural Heritage Tourism
Specialist Development
-
David Goldstein,
Providence RI - Marketing and Research