Welcome to San Juan Safaris
Eco-Tourism Consultant

Eco-Tourism Consultant Bill Wright



SKILLS

Experienced project manager, tenacious problem solver, excellent communicator, enthusiastic sales and marketing coordinator. Thirty years experience.

PRESENT POSITIONS

President, San Juan Safaris, Inc.
President, San Juan Charters, Inc.
Vice President, Whale Watch Operators North West
President, Kenai River Sport fishing Lodge
Marketing and Eco-tourism consultant.

PROJECTS &EXPERIENCE

Marketing/Owner/operator of Eco-tourism concession at Roche Harbor Seaside Village, Roche Harbor, WA. And Port of Friday Harbor, WA .
Exclusive concessionaire for the resort to develop the Eco-tourism, soft adventure component at Roche Harbor- utilizing my operating companies, San Juan Safaris, Inc. and San Juan Charters, Inc., plus duplicate the same business model from Friday Harbor.

Owner/Marketing consultant, Kenai River Sport fishing Lodge, Cooper Landing, Alaska.
Assist partners in marketing and operating a sport fishing lodge on the Kenai River in Alaska.
Marketing and operations consultant, Alaska Wildland Adventures, Girdwood, Alaska. On retainer to assist owners in developing new programs and operating methods.

Marketing and operations consultant, Phoenix Islands Development Group, Seattle, WA.
Consult on development of facilities and marketing of Eco-tourism in the Phoenix Islands, Republic of Kiribati, Central Pacific.

Marketing Consultant - Koncor Forest Products, Anchorage, Alaska.
Evaluated revenue-producing potential of the hardwood industry in upstate New York and Pennsylvania.

Marketing Consultant - Northstar Village at Bristol Mountain, Canandaigua, New York.
Promotion of a year-round townhouse and recreational development at the base of Bristol Mountain Ski Area.

General Manager, Tri Sea Corporation, Kona, Hawaii. Set up and operated an 85 foot whale watching and bottom fishing boat on the west side of the Island of Hawaii.

Owner/Marketing Director, Alaska Seacoast Charters, Inc.
Assisted partners in the development of unique natural history charters and fly fishing trips throughout Prince William Sound, Alaska, utilizing our newly renovated 65 foot motor vessel "The Discovery".

Owner/Operator Action Alaska, Inc.
Created and operated an outdoor activities point of sale retail business, selling trips and lodging throughout the state of Alaska.

Owner/Operator/Marketing Director, Alaska Fishing &Wilderness Adventures, Inc.
Created and operated a large tour company consisting of two fishing lodges, natural history safaris and day fishing and rafting trips. Currently operating as Alaska Wildland Adventures.
Superintendent, Chugach State Park &Kenai/Kodiak Park District, Anchorage, Alaska.
Operation and management of over 750,000 acres of Alaska park lands.

Program Chief, Alaska Youth Conservation Corps, Anchorage, Alaska.
Operations/Management of environmental conservation camps/projects across Alaska with 144 youths and 30 adults.

Park Ranger, Alaska State Parks, Anchorage, Alaska.
Ranger overseeing 1/2 million plus acres in Chugach State Park.

African Wildlife Attendant, Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida.
African animal maintenance.

Recreation Activities Supervisor, Wheeling, West Virginia, Oglebay Park.
Operation and maintenance of youth programs and recreation facilities.

Interpretive Naturalist, City of Rochester, Rochester, New York.
Coordinated citywide nature programs.

Philosophy
Professional

Since work takes up more time than anything else we do, I believe that we should excel in our profession and enjoy our work to the fullest. I ensure my enjoyment by selecting exciting environmental challenges and surrounding myself with positive, energetic people who have similar goals. I then strive to develop a team approach that is the key to the success of the program.

I also take a very sincere and honest approach to the people I deal with on a professional basis. My experience over the years has brought me excellent returns in increased business as well as in lasting friendships. I find myself able to deal with all aspects of the business and governmental community and complete tasks in a timely fashion.

My career highlights include bringing Roche Harbor's Marine Adventure Center from 1000 paying visitors to 12,000, with sea kayaking, whale watching and other tourism options, the development of a unique outdoor adventure program, Alaska Fishing and Wilderness Adventures, and the development of the Youth Conservation Corp for the State of Alaska.

These types of experiences allowed me to create and implement totally innovative programs from start to finish, and has given me great satisfaction in my professional career.

Philosophy
Personal

My strongest philosophical concerns center around the earth's inability to cope with the rapid human assault on the wildlife resources of the world. Loss of habitat, commercial development, and human apathy deteriorate our quality of life while precious wildlife resources slip into the history books.

It is my sincere desire to be a positive force in curbing these losses. Through the various activities I conduct, I attempt to instill a sense of appreciation towards the total environment. I try to encourage the urbanite to escape, if only temporarily from human-made confines, and experience a bonding with the earth on a first-hand and intimate basis. Through a close and personal encounter with a wild place, I believe people can feel themselves to be a part of the natural system. Their inner spirit can again be one with the earth as it was before advanced civilization severed our ties.

By responsibly leading people through unique natural areas, I try to provide the opportunity for them to seek out and experience a closeness to the earth and thereby rediscover a link between them and all of life. It is with this sincere concern that I direct my professional and philosophical energies.

Bill Wright

Please feel free to contact me regarding your special project. References &project lists on request.

Hear Bill on National Public Radio

Japanese Whale Watching 06/25/01
- For years, Japan has come under intense international criticism for whale hunting. Recently, a Japanese delegation came to the San Juan Islands to learn about whale watching. As KPLU's Liam Moriarty reports, eco-tourism is coming to be seen in Japan as a promising replacement for declining traditional fishing economies.
3:24
Listen Now!

Whalewatch Boats 06/11/01 Operators of commercial whale watch boats say they share the growing concern about the health of the local orca population. This summer, they've tightened industry guidelines to help make sure they're not part of the problem. KPLU's Liam Moriarty reports. 1:09
Listen Now!

whale diving, pair of kayakers
spyhopping whale