Costas Christ: Tales From the Frontier

Costas Christ is an award-winning travel writer and editor at large for National Geographic Traveler where he frequently writes about sustainable tourism.  Prior to that, he was the Global Travel Editor for National Geographic Adventure.

Costas' articles and essays have also appeared in numerous other publications, including the New York Times, Boston Globe, International Herald Tribune, and Sunday Times of London. He is best known for exploring the far frontiers of travel and its impacts, with journeys that have taken him to more than 125 countries across six continents (at last count). He serves as Chairman of the National Geographic World Legacy Awards, which recognize the visionary travel companies and destinations that support the protection of cultural and natural heritage. He also writes the Go Green travel column for Virtuoso Life,the largest circulation travel trade magazine.

Costas was honored together with Conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, Oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, and CNN Founder Ted Turner as a global visionary working to save the planet. NBC News said: "For the past 30 years, Costas Christ been at the leading edge of the green travel movement, since way before it was ever called green or even a movement." 

He has appeared on television and radio to talk about travel trends and emerging destinations, with appearances on Travel Channel, Good Morning America, CNN, BBC World, ABC News, Fox News, National Geographic Channel, National Geographic Weekend and National Public Radio.  Costas is one of the pioneers of ecotourism, who helped officially define the term for the first time and served as a founding member and former Chairman of The International Ecotourism Society. 

A dynamic keynote speaker, he has participated in three National Geographic speaking tours and he frequently speaks at international travel conferences and events. His Tales From the Frontier column in National Geographic Traveler received the NATJA Gold Prize for best travel writing. The International Hotel and Restaurant Awards honored him as a Travel Visionary, and Costas was also nominated for the Heinz Award, among the most prestigious United States awards given to an individual for their outstanding work supporting conservation, cultural heritage and the arts. When not traveling, he lives on an organic blueberry farm in Maine where, during August and September, he can be found tending the crop.

Nat Geo World Legacy Awards honor sustainable tourism in action.