Millennium Destinations, Founder & CEO
Sustainable Tourism Development, Marketing and Branding Consultant
Trainer | Facilitator | Speaker
Determined to make our world a better place to live and explore for all
Catherine Germier-Hamel is a French expert in sustainable tourism development, marketing, and branding, with 30 years of international experience across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast/Northeast Asia.
Her career began in environmental utility management in developing countries, but she soon found her true calling in promoting sustainable tourism as a catalyst for local empowerment and inclusive development. In 2005, she moved to South Korea, where she explored the hospitality and F&B sectors before becoming Director of Global Programs at the ST-EP Foundation, established in Seoul under a UN Tourism initiative promoting “Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty.”
In 2014, Catherine became an independent consultant and later founded Millennium Destinations, an impact enterprise offering creative consulting and innovative solutions to tourism-related businesses and organizations, with a mission to foster inclusive, sustainable ecosystems. She also created Millennium Hikers, connecting outdoor enthusiasts passionate about positive impact, and in 2019 co-founded Herost, a smart travel guide platform advocating for eco-friendly, community-powered travel.
In 2021, she relocated to Cambodia to serve as CEO of Destination Mekong, a Destination Management Organization promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism in the Mekong region. In 2024, she incorporated Millennium Destinations in Phnom Penh and led several sustainable tourism missions for international clients.
A certified trainer with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council since 2018, she co-founded the Inner Development Goals (IDG) Global Tourism Network in 2024.
She holds an MBA from NEOMA Business School and a postgraduate degree in Sustainable Tourism Development from the University of Paris Nanterre.
Her career began in environmental utility management in developing countries, but she soon found her true calling in promoting sustainable tourism as a catalyst for local empowerment and inclusive development. In 2005, she moved to South Korea, where she explored the hospitality and F&B sectors before becoming Director of Global Programs at the ST-EP Foundation, established in Seoul under a UN Tourism initiative promoting “Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty.”
In 2014, Catherine became an independent consultant and later founded Millennium Destinations, an impact enterprise offering creative consulting and innovative solutions to tourism-related businesses and organizations, with a mission to foster inclusive, sustainable ecosystems. She also created Millennium Hikers, connecting outdoor enthusiasts passionate about positive impact, and in 2019 co-founded Herost, a smart travel guide platform advocating for eco-friendly, community-powered travel.
In 2021, she relocated to Cambodia to serve as CEO of Destination Mekong, a Destination Management Organization promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism in the Mekong region. In 2024, she incorporated Millennium Destinations in Phnom Penh and led several sustainable tourism missions for international clients.
A certified trainer with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council since 2018, she co-founded the Inner Development Goals (IDG) Global Tourism Network in 2024.
She holds an MBA from NEOMA Business School and a postgraduate degree in Sustainable Tourism Development from the University of Paris Nanterre.
CATHERINE’S CORE COMPETENCES
Impact Entrepreneurship and Executive Management
Business Development and partnership building
Studies, market research and consultancy
Strategic and operational marketing
Destination management, marketing, and branding
Tourism product development and diversification
Sustainability strategies, solutions, and practices
Project design, coordination and management
Training, capacity-building, and mentoring
Multistakeholder Engagement
Event Planning and Networking
Public Speaking and Advocacy
Impact Entrepreneurship and Executive Management
Business Development and partnership building
Studies, market research and consultancy
Strategic and operational marketing
Destination management, marketing, and branding
Tourism product development and diversification
Sustainability strategies, solutions, and practices
Project design, coordination and management
Training, capacity-building, and mentoring
Multistakeholder Engagement
Event Planning and Networking
Public Speaking and Advocacy
CORE SECTORS
Travel, tourism and hospitality (since 2004): Destination Mekong, Millennium Destinations, Herost, PlayForest (travel cooperative), Millennium Hikers (association, Founder & President), UNWTO ST-EP Foundation, Novotel, Wine & Women Korea, Visa 21 (association, Founder & President)
Sustainable Urban and Rural Development: Lyonnaise des Eaux Services Associés (Suez group), Partenariat Français pour l’Eau, Secrétariat International de l’Eau, Saunier & Associés.
Travel, tourism and hospitality (since 2004): Destination Mekong, Millennium Destinations, Herost, PlayForest (travel cooperative), Millennium Hikers (association, Founder & President), UNWTO ST-EP Foundation, Novotel, Wine & Women Korea, Visa 21 (association, Founder & President)
Sustainable Urban and Rural Development: Lyonnaise des Eaux Services Associés (Suez group), Partenariat Français pour l’Eau, Secrétariat International de l’Eau, Saunier & Associés.
Countries of residence: France, Cambodia (since May 2022), South Korea (Seoul, 2005-2022), Brazil (São Paulo, 1 year)
Short missions (up to 3 months): Benin, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, China, Ethiopia, Honduras, India, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Peru, Panama, Senegal, Spain, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Short missions (up to 3 months): Benin, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, China, Ethiopia, Honduras, India, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Peru, Panama, Senegal, Spain, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
MEMBERSHIP / SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENTS
Current
Meaningful Tourism Center, Certified trainer of the Meaningful Tourism Transformational Game Workshop (since 2025)
EuroCham Cambodia | Member since 2024, Chairwoman of the Tourism and Hospitality Committee since 09/2024
Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism | Jury Member in 2022 and 2024
Inner Development Goals (IDG) Global Tourism Network | Co-Founder (since 2024)
Destination Cambodge, tourism branding and marketing campaign directed to French-speaking markets | Member of the campaign committee since 2024
AMFORHT – World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training | Delegate for Korea (2016-2021), Delegate for the Greater Mekong Sub-region (since 2022)
Global Sustainable Tourism Council – GSTC | Member since 2016, Trainer since 2018
Past
Skål International Bangkok | 2022
Skål International Member (Seoul 2020-2021, Bangkok 2022), Board Secretary (2021)
World Trails Network | Member, 2020-2022
Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Korea – ESCCK | Tourism Advisor, 2019-2021
AMFORHT – World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training | Delegate for Korea (2016-2021)
Cercle des Entrepreneurs Francophones de Corée – CEFC | Member, President in 2018-2020
Green Drinks Seoul | Founding Member and Member of the Organizing Team, 2017-2022
K-Move Mentoring program, supporting young Koreans in becoming global professionals | Foreign Mentor, 2016 – 2017.
PlayForest, travel cooperative promoting sustainable forest tourism | Founding Board Member, 2015 – 2020.
Conseillère du Commerce Extérieur de la France (French Trade Adviser for Tourism and Sustainable Development), appointed by the French Prime Minister, 2013-2015
Wine & Women Korea wine club: co-Founder, Honorary Member, since 2006
Current
Meaningful Tourism Center, Certified trainer of the Meaningful Tourism Transformational Game Workshop (since 2025)
EuroCham Cambodia | Member since 2024, Chairwoman of the Tourism and Hospitality Committee since 09/2024
Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism | Jury Member in 2022 and 2024
Inner Development Goals (IDG) Global Tourism Network | Co-Founder (since 2024)
Destination Cambodge, tourism branding and marketing campaign directed to French-speaking markets | Member of the campaign committee since 2024
AMFORHT – World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training | Delegate for Korea (2016-2021), Delegate for the Greater Mekong Sub-region (since 2022)
Global Sustainable Tourism Council – GSTC | Member since 2016, Trainer since 2018
Past
Skål International Bangkok | 2022
Skål International Member (Seoul 2020-2021, Bangkok 2022), Board Secretary (2021)
World Trails Network | Member, 2020-2022
Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Korea – ESCCK | Tourism Advisor, 2019-2021
AMFORHT – World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training | Delegate for Korea (2016-2021)
Cercle des Entrepreneurs Francophones de Corée – CEFC | Member, President in 2018-2020
Green Drinks Seoul | Founding Member and Member of the Organizing Team, 2017-2022
K-Move Mentoring program, supporting young Koreans in becoming global professionals | Foreign Mentor, 2016 – 2017.
PlayForest, travel cooperative promoting sustainable forest tourism | Founding Board Member, 2015 – 2020.
Conseillère du Commerce Extérieur de la France (French Trade Adviser for Tourism and Sustainable Development), appointed by the French Prime Minister, 2013-2015
Wine & Women Korea wine club: co-Founder, Honorary Member, since 2006
Main Speaking and Lecturing References here
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France - Cambodia
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Promoting Positive Places, Practices and Experiences
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