Meet the Team
Chris Flynn - Executive Chair World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage & Vice Chair World Rural Tourism Council (Asia Pacific)
With more than 40 years experience in international tourism working in countries across four continents, Chris has developed an intimate knowledge of the industry and is recognised for his ability to identify future trends that have the potential to influence and/or impact the sector.
A leading specialists in terms of development and strategy, Chris is a regular speaker at high profile international events and provides insights to leading news media channels such as BBC World News Asia Business Report, which boasts a live global audience in excess of 300m
As Executive Chairman of W.T.A.C.H. Chris liaises at the most senior levels of industry and Government, with his expertise often being sought by leading international businesses and university faculties.
In addition to his role as Executive Chair of WTACH, Chris is also the elected Vice Chair (Asia Pacific) of the World Rural Tourism Council.
Nigel Fell - President & Chief Executive Officer World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage
Nigel has over 40 years' experience in the travel and tourism industry, many at Board and Advisory level for some of the largest and best known travel organisations. During that time, more than 20 years was invested in working with Governments and tourist boards to develop and implement responsible, sustainable and long-term tourism strategies and policies.
Nigel’s expertise is predominantly focused in two key areas;
Developing Countries - Working with Governments, tourist boards and the private sector to implement and manage their inbound tourism development strategies.
European Businesses - Provide business owners and senior management teams in with expertise to grow existing business and develop new markets.
Experiencing the positive benefits of increased GDP and employment to communities in developing countries first-hand is a key driver to continue his work.
John Perrottet - Global Tourism Investment Experts
John Perrottet is a global investment and economic development expert with over 40 years’ experience specialising in investment mobilisation, project financing, financial management and corporate governance with a special emphasis on the tourism and visitor industries.
John is a recognised and respected industry leader with a record of achievement in the design and implementation of successful investment projects and industry development programs built on sound analytics, clear strategic direction, and policy reforms critical for creating competitive economies and enterprises.
He has successfully completed assignments in over fifty countries across Africa, South, Central and East Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and Europe. He has a solid commercial orientation and record of successful change management at national, industry and enterprise levels.
John has recently retired from the World Bank Group where he held several positions including the Global Lead for Tourism based in Washington, DC. As coordinator of the WBG’s Global Tourism Team he was responsible for leadership of technical design and supervision of tourism lending and advisory projects supporting a global portfolio valued at ~US$7.0bn.
He continues to consult to the World Bank Group on tourism related matters and provides specialised senior investment and economic development advice to public and private clients.
Ms. Erina Loo - President, Southeast Asia Tourist Guide Association Academy
Erina, has been contributing to the growth of Malaysia’s tourism industry for the past 29 years, serving as an Entrepreneur, and professional tourism consultant in which she is an ASEAN Master Trainer.
In pursuing her passion for the tourism industry, she has contributed greatly to the development of the Tour Guiding Sector in which she has cultivated, trained, and developed thousands of tourist guides throughout the ASEAN region.
Her involvement and contribution to Sustainable Tourism has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in which she plays a paramount role as a Cultural Heritage Specialist Guide (CHSG).
Erina is the current President of the South East Asia Tourist Guides Association which promotes intellectual development of youths in enhancing the livelihood of local communities. Her immense contribution to talent development in Malaysia has qualified her as a National Trainer under the Ministry of Human Resources where she serves as the Internal and External Verifier and Skills Assessor for tourism facilitators, trainers and lecturers.
Mark Panayiotis Notaras - Founder Agora Food Studio
Mark is the Co-Founder of the Timor-Leste Food Lab social enterprise and its flagship restaurant Agora Food Studio.
As a globally respected Culinary Tourism Specialist Marked worked in Timor-Leste from 2011-2020 where he pioneered culinary tourism development models which have resulted in the establishment of innovative new heritage based culinary and coffee tourism products and services.
Mark’s speciality is nurturing tourism entrepreneurs in the development of their own culinary tourism businesses based on local produce and traditional cooking techniques.
Mark also specialises in culinary tourism development within post-conflict and emerging tourism destinations including countries, as well as supporting the responsible development of rural culinary tourism in China.
Dr. Scott Michael Smith - Leadership Facilitator | Regenerative Tourism Advocate | Certified 2030 SDGs Game Facilitator
Dr. Scott Michael Smith is a seasoned educator and leadership development specialist based in Bangkok, Thailand. With over two decades of experience in tourism and hospitality, he empowers professionals and organisations to build resilient businesses and develop sustainable destinations.
As one of Thailand's first certified facilitators of the 2030 SDGs Game, Dr. Smith employs this interactive simulation to foster awareness and action towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. His workshops are designed to inspire innovation, encourage collaboration, and drive meaningful change within the tourism industry.
Dr. Smith's approach combines practical insights with engaging methodologies, making complex concepts accessible and actionable. His commitment to responsible tourism and sustainable development continues to influence positive transformations across Asia and beyond.
Carolyn Childs - Tourism Director, SHP Ltd.
Carolyn Childs’ passion is empowering communities, destinations and travel organisations to thrive and plan for the future.
Her career spans almost 40 years & 35 countries including with Travel Research Centre, the International Air Transport Association, TNS (now Kantar’s Australian travel vertical) and MyTravelResearch.com.
In 2025, she joined culture and heritage specialist consultancy Sue Hodges Productions (SHP) to deliver a tourism division offering strategy and insight based on participatory research principles.
Carolyn is Public Officer and Immediate Past President of Travel and Tourism Research Association (Asia-Pacific), a Certified Member of the Market Research Society, sits on World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage’s Advisory Panel, is a board member for the Australian Opal Centre and a Board Member & Regional Tourism Ambassador for Australian Regional Tourism.
She has also been part of the UN Tourism’s Panel of World Tourism Experts.
Phil Hook – Managing Director Train ‘4’ Results
Phil Hook, is a seasoned Training Consultant with an impressive track record spanning more than 30 years.
His expertise encompasses leadership, sales, sales management, and the art of crafting impactful training experiences, both in-person and online.
With a flair for combining consultative training techniques and a laser-focused business mindset, Phil's mission is clear: to drive tangible results.
His training interventions and capacity building modules are designed with participants' challenges and needs at the forefront, culminating in practical solutions that can be immediately implemented upon their return to the workplace.
His influence and insights having transformed senior executives from some of the world’s most globally recognised brands on 6 of the world’s 7 continents.
Dimitris Palaiogiannis – Founder and CEO, Zorbabook.com & Eudaimonia Tourism
Dimitris journey in the tourism industry began at the University of Brighton, where he studied International Tourism Management. While at university Dimitris carried out primary research on perception & destination image of Greece. He also participated in P2P International Gambia, a project focusing on the implementation of Community-Based Tourism & Eco-Tourism practices as an alternative source of income for local communities.
Upon his return to Greece, Dimitris represented municipalities in international travel fairs and organised promotion initiatives for various destinations.
Since 2018, has been developing local ecosystems and international networks for the strategic promotion and development of both culinary and Agri Tourism.
His initiatives focus on local community/stakeholder empowerment and engagement, preservation of cultural heritage; and creating awareness for holistic & responsible tourism practices.
Dr Sue Hodges Ph.D - Managing Director SHP Ltd.
Sue Hodges has worked in history and heritage interpretation for over 40 years.
She plays an active role in the profession nationally and internationally, having served as President of the ICOMOS International Committee on the Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites (ICIP) since 2015 and as an Expert Advisor to UNESCO.
Sue is founder and CEO of SHP (Sue Hodges Productions Pty Ltd). SHP is one of Australia’s leading heritage interpretation businesses. Bringing ideas and stories to life in a range of immersive environments and providing the planning that underpins all.
She has developed strategies and completed theming, research, writing and editing for over 100 museum and heritage based projects, including interpretation plans, installations, exhibitions, signage, public artwork and heritage trails. Sue is the author of Hands-on-History (2006), a fun and practical guide to making history fun for students that is linked to the ACT curriculum.
Dr. Nick Naumov, Ph.D CMBE CHE SFHEA - University of Northampton, U.K.
Dr. Nick Naumov is a highly experienced and respected academic with a strong multidisciplinary background in critical heritage studies, human geography, and tourism. His expertise spans diverse areas including heritage and urban tourism, cultural and historical geography, intangible heritage, food tourism, and urban development.
Dr. Naumov has a rich international academic career, having held teaching and research positions in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and India. He has presented his research at numerous international conferences across six continents. Additionally, his consulting experience includes work with the Council of Europe, the UAE Prime Minister’s Office, and the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Dubai.
Dr. Naumov brings a robust blend of academic excellence and industry experience. He holds a Bachelor's and Master's in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Assen Zlatarov University (Bulgaria), an MSc in International Tourism from the University of Bedfordshire, and a PhD in Human Geography from King's College London.