Our Philosophy
We are destination architects. We design blueprints that account for the entire community ecosystem—where visitors and residents, downtown places, and wild spaces are deeply connected. Our systems-based approach is intentional, measurable, and built to last.
We Connect the Dots
Destinations thrive as connected ecosystems. We ensure tourism integrates seamlessly into this complex network.
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We Champion Inclusion and Access
By planning for traditionally excluded travelers, we ensure destinations are welcoming for everyone.
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We Reimagine Tourism's Purpose
Tourism should strengthen what communities value, not strain it. We help shift the center of gravity: from extraction to investment, from passing through to giving back.
We Turn Plans into Practice
Plans alone don't drive change. Our Tourism Impact Modeling™ translates strategic goals into practical, daily operations.
Our Founder
TIS was founded by Bobby Chappell, a conservation biologist turned tourism strategist with more than 25 years of experience bridging public land management, outdoor recreation, and community development.
Bobby’s career spans habitat restoration, aquatic health assessments, ecotourism, and international standard-setting; from backcountry trails in Appalachia to developing nations across Latin America and the Caribbean.​​
Bobby’s approach is shaped not only by science and systems thinking, but also by lived experience where caregiving and accessibility are part of daily life. That perspective informs TIS’s work to build inclusive, resilient destinations that serve both people and place.
