Globetrotting journalist Costas Christ will explore the topic of sustainable tourism at the biennial Jacob Haight and Mary Meek Morrison Memorial Lecture at The Historic New Orleans Collection on Saturday, June 30. 

The talk, “How Sustainable Tourism is Transforming the Global Travel Industry and What that Means for New Orleans” will take place at 2 p.m. at THNOC’s Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended. Registration is open on the event page or by calling (504) 598-7146. The lecture will also be streamed live here.

The World Travel and Tourism Council labeled sustainable tourism one of the most significant transformations in the history of modern travel. Calling for travelers to create a positive impact on local populations, sustainable tourism advocates emphasize the protection of cultural and natural heritage, social and economic well-being of local people, and environmentally-friendly practices. In this presentation, Christ will provide a window into this development and how it is changing the landscape of the modern tourism industry.

Costas Christ has traveled to more than 130 countries across six continents. He is an award-winning writer and editor for National Geographic Traveler, and serves as National Geographic’s senior advisor for sustainable tourism. His articles and essays have appeared in national and international publications including the New York Times, Boston Globe, and Sunday Times of London, and he has garnered numerous awards and nominations.

The lecture is presented by Vieux Carré Property Owners, Residents, and Associates., the Vieux Carré Commission Foundation, and THNOC as part of an ongoing series that addresses topics in historic preservation and honors two longtime residents of the Vieux Carré, Jacob Haight Morrison and Mary Meek Morrison.