Community-Centred Tourism: Principles and Practices
The Shorefast Institute is delighted to kick off its monthly “Meet the Institute” webinar series for 2026 with a feature presentation delivered by our Founder & CEO, Zita Cobb.
Please join us on Friday, January 30 at 2:30pm (NL) / 1:00pm (ET) / 10:00am (PT) for Community‑Centred Tourism: Principles and Practices, where Zita will discuss the history and evolution of community-centred tourism on Fogo Island, tourism that honours the culture, heritage and long‑term economic prosperity of place.
Zita Cobb
Founder | Shorefast Institute for Place-Based Economies
Growing up on Fogo Island, Zita developed a deep belief in the inherent value of place and profound respect for the human ways of knowing that emerge from respectful relationships with nature, culture, and community. She held senior financial roles in the high-tech industry, notably with JDS Fitel, subsequently JDS Uniphase, where she contributed to building the company into one of the most successful high-tech innovators in history. Zita returned home to Fogo Island in the early 2000’s and, along with her brothers Anthony and Alan, founded Shorefast. In 2016, Zita was awarded the Order of Canada. She volunteers her time and energies to the active direction and management of Shorefast and our projects on Fogo Island.
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