Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Management
News/Events
Alumni Spotlight: Paige Axton, BSSHM '22
Embracing her hospitality journey and aspirations, Paige Axton, a recent graduate from CSU Monterey Bay, reflects on her path and dreams.
Dr. Paige P. Viren explores the future of tourism at Visit California's 2024 Outlook Forum
Dr. Paige P. Viren delves into the future of tourism at Visit California's 2024 Outlook Forum in Palm Desert from March 11th to 13th, spotlighting sustainability, technology, and the unveiling of the Ultimate Playground campaign.
NEW Pebble Beach Company Scholars Program!
Cal State Monterey Bay and Pebble Beach Company partnered to launch the Pebble Scholars Program, designed to strengthen the education and training of students in CSUMB’s Sustainable Hospitality Management program.
Sustainable Events Management Team Internship Program Kicks Off with Info Session on Feb 12th, 2024
An information session for the 2024 SEMT Internship with Pebble Beach Company is scheduled for Monday, February 12th, 12-1 PM in BIT Rm 104. Come and learn about this fantastic internship opportunity!
Congratulations to Hospitality Students on Receiving CHLA Scholarships!
A Successful Debut: The Inaugural Sustainable Hospitality Program Hospitality & Tourism Career Fair
On November 15th 2023, the Sustainable Hospitality Management Program joined forces with CSUMB Hospitality Club and The Monterey County Hospitality Association (MCHA) to host its first-ever Hospitality & Tourism Career Fair. The event unfolded as a resounding success, leaving an indelible mark on both students and industry professionals alike.
90 eager students filled the BIT building courtyard, atrium, and RM 104. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as they explored opportunities that could shape their future careers. Fifteen esteemed employers, representing various facets of the industry, eagerly engaged with students, sharing insights and networking to identify potential talents.
Adding a touch of inspiration to the event, four distinguished BSSHM Alumni members graced the occasion. With a wealth of insight in their respective careers, they took center stage to impart valuable wisdom and personal anecdotes. Their presence not only bridged the gap between academia and industry but also provided a real-world perspective on the exciting possibilities that awaited the budding professionals.
As the day unfolded, conversations flowed freely, resumes and business cards exchanged hands, and connections were forged. The event not only served as a platform for job seekers but also facilitated meaningful dialogue between students and industry leaders.
The success of the inaugural Hospitality & Tourism Career Fair echoed beyond the event itself. It marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to foster stronger ties between academia and the hospitality industry. The collaboration between the Sustainable Hospitality Management Program, the Hospitality Club, and MCHA set a precedent for future initiatives, emphasizing the importance of such platforms in educating students about the rewarding careers that they can build as hospitality and tourism professionals.
International Visitor Program Explores Ecotourism and Environmental Sustainability
On August 15, 2023, Dr. Paige Viren, Executive Director of the Sustainable Hospitality Management (SHM) program at California State University, Monterey Bay, joined forces with Dawn Mathes-Park, a graduate student from the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration at California State University, Sacramento. Together, they presented to a cohort of 10 distinguished international visitors from El Salvador.
Scholarships Awarded To Sustainable Hospitality Management Program students
Congratulations to seven Hospitality program students on receiving 2023 CHLAF Scholarship awards and to one student on receiving the 2023 NEWH/SF Bay Area Chapter Scholarship.
Newly Minted Sustainable Hospitality Management Alum Joanne Rivera Arce Embarks on an Exciting Journey to Switzerland
We are thrilled to announce the exceptional achievement of Ms. Joanne Arce-Rivera, fondly known as Swiss Miss, as she sets out on a remarkable adventure at the esteemed César Ritz Colleges in Switzerland. Joanne, a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Hospitality Management, has been accepted into the Master's degree program in International Business in Entrepreneurship & Hospitality and Tourism.
California Travel Association Tourism Advocacy Day: SHM Executive Director Paige Viren Joins Forces to Boost California's Thriving Tourism Industry
Sacramento, CA - It was a day filled with excitement and purpose at the California Travel Association Tourism Advocacy Day as industry leaders and representatives convened to advocate for the state's flourishing tourism sector. Among the participants was Dr. Paige Viren, the executive director of the Sustainable Hospitality Management (SHM) program, who played a pivotal role in advancing the interests of California's travel industry. Read more.
Hospitality students on the Pebble Beach Special Events Management Team get hands-on experience at Concours d’Elegance
August 21, 2022 – Thank you to the world-renowned Pebble Beach Company for giving students from CSUMB’s Sustainable Hospitality Management program and the College of Business the opportunity to showcase their skills while managing a hospitality team at Concours d’Elegance on August 21st. As Hospitality Managers for the Pebble Beach Special Event Management Team (SEMT), students work directly with Pebble Beach representatives to manage, plan, coordinate, and oversee hospitality areas at the finest exhibition of show cars in the world. Team leaders' duties will include:
- Management and oversight of corporate clients
- Hosting VIP Guests at Corporate Hospitality Patios
- Overseeing food service and bar/beverage service
- Interacting with clients, servers, bartenders, and culinary individuals to ensure a flawless guest experience
- Managing Pebble Beach staff and temporary employees
Paige Viren Leads Climate Change Session at Adventure Travel Trade Association Conference
November 2021 – Tourism professionals gathering in person November 16 - 18, 2021 in Sedona, Arizona, for the ATTA’s AdventureELEVATE event, heard first-hand the results of a new global climate study in a special session led by Dr. Paige Viren, Executive Director of the Sustainable Hospitality Management Program at CSU Monterey Bay. In the session, Dr. Viren shared a sneak preview of the results of the first Global Study of Climate Action in Tourism. The study, led by the UNWTO in partnership with the Adventure Travel Trade Association and the group Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, provides a baseline for accelerating climate action in tourism.
Dr. Viren and her colleague Dan Pilgreen guided the creation of the survey and quantitative analysis. The survey was completed by 1171 representatives from destinations, accommodation, transport, and tour experience providers in 131 countries and is expected to be released later this year.
In the interactive session at AdventureELEVATE, Dr. Viren was joined by Ivan Eskildsen, the Minister of Tourism of Panama. Panama is a country whose adoption of a sustainable tourism Master Plan policy and commitment to climate action sets a benchmark for others to follow. Mr. Eskildsen commented recently, “We are utilizing our five-year Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism as a roadmap for the decentralized development of the industry, and to reach the discerning traveler, a segment that has been quantified at over 500 million travelers worldwide, and growing at a fast pace. We’re reimagining our approach to sustainability through tourism by investing in our country’s vibrant and unique attributes while empowering local communities to help sustain our carbon-negative status. Panama is one of only three countries in the world to have reached this standing.”
The findings reveal that a large percentage of travel businesses lack a climate action strategy and are not measuring their emissions. This signals an important opportunity for businesses to advance their climate strategies, especially as signs of tourism’s strong recovery are clear.
Sustainable Hospitality Management Program Nationally Ranked by Study.com
February 25, 2021 - Study.com has ranked the Sustainable Hospitality Management Program at CSUMB's College of Business #37 in their list "2021 Best Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality Management." Hundreds of universities across the country were considered based on their academic and career resources, the quality of education, and faculty, among other criteria.
CSUMB Helps Hospitality Industry Get Back to Business
June 26, 2020 - Monterey County hotels and restaurants are reopening after months of closure because of the coronavirus. CSUMB’s Sustainable Hospitality Management Program in the College of Business (COB) is helping them get back to business safely and effectively.
Sustainable Hospitality Management Program Is Approved For Permanent Status
February 4th, 2020 － We are pleased to announce that the Sustainable Hospitality Management (SHM) program has been approved for permanent status, effective starting Fall 2020. The Program’s transition to permanent status means that its positive impact on the community will continue for years to come. According to Executive Director, Dr. John Avella, “The goal is to provide a degree that is both unique and meaningful." Read more.
Monterey Bay Sustainable Hospitality Summit
January 2019 – Emceed by MBEP President, Kate Roberts, the 2019 event featured Mayor Mato Frankovic of Dubrovnik, Croatia, who addressed “Sustainable Travel and Solutions to Over-tourism.” The two-day Summit featured a day of visits to view best practices in sustainable hospitality, ecotourism, eco-recreation and wellness at exemplary sites across the Tri-County region and a full day of inspiring and sharing best practices.
Sustainability with a Smile
January 2017 – Monterey Bay is at the forefront of Sustainable Hospitality thanks to CSUMB