Jorge brings with him 20 years of experience in tourism management in natural areas, particularly in developing countries.

Before moving to the UK, where he has been lecturing for the last 7 years in tourism management, first in Sheffield Hallam University and currently at the University of Chichester, Jorge worked extensively in nature and heritage interpretation both in Venezuela and Costa Rica, particularly providing consultancy expertise in the management of tourism impacts in national parks. He has extensive experience in environmental impact assessment for tourism projects, as well as the design, provision and delivery of interpretative training packages for tourism guides and front-line tourism staff involved with tourism in natural areas and heritage destinations. He has also been involved in the development of sustainable tourism initiatives in rural communities, aimed at enhancing the quality of life and the preservation of the environment in rural areas.

Prior to coming to the UK, Jorge worked as interpretation trainer and consultant for the Spanish International Cooperation Agency (AECI) in a multi-government funded initiative to provide tourism management and interpretative training skills to both tour guides and community groups in a Venezuelan marine national park, and developed and delivered interpretative training for rural indigenous communities under a project co-sponsored by The Nature Conservancy and The British Council.

Besides his ongoing work in teaching and research, Jorge is also an accredited trainer for ‘Welcome All’ and ‘Welcome International’, which are part of the ‘Welcome to Excellence’ Scheme from the English Regional Tourist Board, aimed at developing service excellence for customers with disabilities and international visitors.