Dr. Paige Viren

Dr. Paige P. Viren is an accomplished leader in the field of sustainable tourism and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Management Program in the College of Business at California State University, Monterey Bay. With over 16 years of experience in tourism research, Dr. Viren’s expertise spans consumer behavior, adventure travel, and sustainable community-based tourism. Her contributions to the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) helped shape the definition of adventure travel, and she has collaborated with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to develop global climate action strategies in tourism.In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. Viren serves as the Chair of the Sustainability & Stewardship Committee for the California Travel Association (CalTravel), where she works closely with industry stakeholders to advance sustainable tourism practices across California. Her focus on building connections between academia and industry is central to her work, creating pathways for education, sustainability, and responsible tourism.Dr. Viren holds a Ph.D. in Park, Recreation & Tourism Resources from Michigan State University and previously held faculty and leadership positions at San Francisco State University and East Carolina University. She is also an official GSTC Trainer with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and a recognized speaker on sustainable tourism practices worldwide.