Business Details
25 Years
experience
Global Leader in Sustainable Tourism Development Solutions
Solimar International has been a leader in sustainable tourism development since 2001, delivering innovative solutions that stimulate economic growth while conserving natural and cultural heritage. Our team of global specialists combines strategic planning, destination development, and digital marketing expertise to connect tourism businesses with international markets. With experience across 500+ destinations in over 100 countries, we provide tailored consulting services for governments, conservation organizations, and tourism enterprises.Our integrated approach addresses conservation challenges, workforce development needs, and market-driven strategies to ensure long-term sustainability. We maintain deep technical expertise in destination management systems, having developed proprietary platforms to address industry-specific challenges. Our work prioritizes community empowerment, environmental protection, and measurable economic impact for stakeholders worldwide.
Services
Strategic Planning
Tourism Development
Workforce Training
Destination Management
Digital Marketing
Sustainable Development
Conservation Planning
Product Development
Capacity Building
Market Research
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We offer 18+ years of experience across 500+ destinations in 100+ countries
- Our proprietary Destination Management and Marketing System streamlines operations
- Specialized workforce development programs train 500+ professionals annually
- We maintain exclusive focus on tourism development without diversifying sectors
- Integrated approach combines strategic planning with digital innovation capabilities
What people say
Exceeded our expectations
Innovative marketing solutions
Deep technical experience
Holistically oriented approach
Competitive pricing
Services
Strategic Planning
Our strategic planning process develops comprehensive tourism roadmaps by analyzing destination assets, market trends, and stakeholder needs. We create actionable plans that balance economic growth with environmental conservation. Our services include market research, visioning workshops, and master planning for sustainable development.
Workforce Development
We deliver customized training programs that build local expertise through certified courses in destination management, guiding, and hospitality operations. Our train-the-trainer programs ensure long-term knowledge transfer, with over 5,000 professionals trained across 60+ countries. Specialized tracks address SMTE operations and sustainable tourism criteria.
Destination Marketing
Our integrated marketing solutions combine brand strategy, digital campaigns, and travel trade partnerships. We develop engaging content and analytics-driven approaches to reach target markets. Services include website development, social media strategy, and traditional media campaigns tailored to destination-specific needs.
Conservation Planning
We design tourism strategies that protect natural resources while creating economic benefits. Our experts develop wildlife corridor plans, climate adaptation strategies, and community-based conservation programs. Projects integrate environmental protection with visitor management systems across 40+ countries.
Digital Marketing
Our digital specialists create data-driven campaigns that increase destination visibility through SEO, content marketing, and social media. We develop responsive websites, manage paid advertising campaigns, and implement analytics systems to measure ROI for tourism clients globally.
People
Don Hawkins
Chairman and Principal
52-year tourism policy expert with UNWTO Ulysses Prize recipient. Led international sustainable tourism initiatives as Eisenhower Professor at George Washington University. Doctorate in Park Management from NYU with 114+ publications.
Chris Seek
Chief Executive Officer
CEO with 12+ years leading sustainable tourism strategies globally. Oversees 20+ professionals across 17 countries. Former Fortune 500 marketer with expertise in integrated communications and conservation partnerships. Holds MBA in Sustainable Destination Management.
Chloe King
Director of Stewardship
Marine systems expert managing USAID-funded climate resilience projects. Holds MSc from Edinburgh and MPhil from Cambridge. Leads initiatives in Timor-Leste, Maldives, and Bangladesh. PhD candidate researching Galapagos Island sustainability strategies.
Matthew Humke
Director of Social Enterprise
20-year specialist in community-based tourism enterprises. Created Honduras' La Ruta Moskitia generating $5M+ for local economies. Recipient of Tourism for Tomorrow Award. Expert in conservation-linked economic development across Latin America and Africa.
Hitesh Mehta
Tourism Specialist
Internationally acclaimed architect and ecotourism planner with 34 years in 66 countries. Designed award-winning ecolodges in China, Indonesia, and Galapagos. Recognized by National Geographic as sustainable tourism pioneer. Author of three books including Authentic Ecolodges.
Questions
What makes Solimar different from other tourism consultancies?
We focus exclusively on sustainable tourism with 18+ years of experience across 500+ destinations. Our proprietary DMMS technology platform and conservation-linked economic development approach create measurable long-term impacts.
How does Solimar ensure sustainable tourism practices?
We integrate environmental protection with economic development through destination-specific strategies. Our projects require 30%+ local community participation and include conservation funding mechanisms for long-term sustainability.
What geographic areas do you cover?
We operate in over 100 countries with dedicated experts in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Recent projects span Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Maldives, and Timor-Leste.
How do you measure project success?
We track outcomes across 18 metrics including local employment growth, conservation funding generated, and visitor satisfaction scores. Annual impact reports document progress toward established KPIs.
Can you handle both planning and implementation?
We provide end-to-end services from initial assessments through implementation. Our team manages multi-year USAID projects while offering standalone consulting services for specific development needs.
What training programs do you offer?
We deliver certified courses in destination management, nature guiding, and hospitality operations. Our train-the-trainer programs ensure knowledge transfer with 5,000+ professionals trained globally.
