Matteo Coletta
Washington,DC
Summary
Sustainability and tourism development professional with experience across destination marketing, public policy, and international consulting. Skilled in designing cross-sector initiatives spanning sustainability programs, accessibility research, resident sentiment analysis, and foreign investment advisory. Proven ability to coordinate diverse stakeholders, deliver data-driven insights, and support high-level communications and public-facing programming.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Graduate Assistant
International Institute of Tourism Studies
09.2025 - 01.2026
- Researched innovative solutions to put into effect a new tourism product for a pilot project in Wessington Springs, supported by the South Dakota Tourism Office
- Compiled potential grant opportunities to boost community-led efforts to increase visitations in the region
- Reviewed and analyzed the Literature Review for a Destination Stewardship research initiative
Sustainability Intern
Destination DC
01.2025 - 08.2025
- Supported community workshops and helped grow the “Sustainability District”, a DMO recognition program aimed at valorizing businesses who are leading in environmental and economic impact initiatives. Onboarded 10 new members across different industry segments
- Coordinated guest speakers and prepared programming Destination DC’s annual Sustainability Summit, with an attendance of over 200
- Collected data and managed part of the GDS-I (Global Destination Sustainability Index) rating process for FY2025
- Innovated an AI-fueled dashboard which now organizes to visually track and share impact metrics in a qualitative and quantitative manner
- Designed Request for Proposal to local consultants to kickstart the city’s first ever Resident Sentiment Survey focused on tourism
International Trade Intern
US Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office
03.2024 - 12.2024
- Worked within the National Travel and Tourism Office’s Policy team
- Kick-started research to facilitate accessibility directives for disabled travelers across the United States
- Attended frequent roundtables and seminars aimed to improve conditions for specific market segments such as youth travel
- Pitched multiple destinations to start a pilot program for net-zero emissions sustainable tourism development project in partnership with ICF
Cultural Services Intern
Embassy of France in the United States
09.2023 - 02.2024
- Assisted the Cultural Services whose mission aims to increase Franco-American relations by promoting French culture and bilingualism in the U.S
- Participated in organizing the French Embassy's Third Bilingual Seminar for FDLI which welcomed 90 participants from 20 states
- Wrote a speech that the French Ambassador himself delivered at the French residence in Washington DC
- Coordinated logistics for the annual ACTFL convention, submitting proposals for guests and transcripts for presentations
- Took part in mediation and prepared the annual meeting of 28 French Centers of Excellence from the most prestigious institutions
Sustainable Tourism Intern
Solimar International
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Solimar International is a specialist consulting and marketing firm with a team of creative and experienced professionals who share a common vision of how sustainable tourism can stimulate economic growth while conserving natural resources and cultural heritage.
- Worked on USAID Visit Tunisia project: a five-year $50 million activity designed to enhance the country’s alternative tourism potential, with the goal of generating revenue and jobs with emphasis on cultural and environmental sustainability
- Rebranded and advised 10 businesses in the Kairouan region’s hospitality sector
Education
M.S. - Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management
George Washington University (GW) School of Business
Washington DCB.S. - International Relations
American University School of International Service
Washington DCExchange Semester - undefined
University of New South Wales
Sydney, AustraliaSkills
- Community outreach
- Sustainability reporting
- Interpersonal skills
- Critical thinking
- Stakeholder management
- Data analysis
- Verbal and written communication
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Policy implementation
- Cross-cultural communication
Pro-Bono Consulting
Belize Tourism Board
- Pro-bono consulting experience, main deliverables included drafting policy recommendations to bridge the gap between cultural activities and the tourism sector in Belize.
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
French
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Certification
- Simpleview Granicus Overview (CRM)
- Bloomberg Certification
Interests
Surfing, Rugby, Tennis Reading, Rock Music, Jazz, Trail Running, Backpacking
Timeline
Graduate Assistant
International Institute of Tourism Studies
09.2025 - 01.2026
Sustainability Intern
Destination DC
01.2025 - 08.2025
International Trade Intern
US Department of Commerce, National Travel and Tourism Office
03.2024 - 12.2024
Cultural Services Intern
Embassy of France in the United States
09.2023 - 02.2024
Sustainable Tourism Intern
Solimar International
05.2023 - 08.2023
B.S. - International Relations
American University School of International Service
Exchange Semester - undefined
University of New South Wales
M.S. - Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management
George Washington University (GW) School of Business