Annabelle Hender

Annabelle is a sustainable tourism specialist dedicated to leveraging tourism as a force for good. With 25 years of experience across the tourism ecosystem, she brings a systems‑thinking approach that centres community empowerment, cross‑cultural understanding, and equitable development.

Her commitment to inclusive tourism was shaped during her work in the Solomon Islands, where she supported community‑led planning and saw firsthand how tourism can transform livelihoods when the principles of sustainable tourism are aligned. Today, through her consultancy OCTANT, she

helps destinations orient their tourism systems, ensuring equitable opportunities for individuals and communities to benefit from tourism.

Annabelle is passionate about creating tourism systems that uplift communities, amplify underrepresented voices, and foster meaningful connections between people and place.