Stefan Forster studied geography and history at the University of Bern (MSc in economic geography). Immediately after his studies, he worked as a manager in gastronomy and cultural management. Together with partners, he built up a private consulting and project development company in the fields of tourism and regional development in the Alpine region. Today, he is Professor of Tourism and Sustainability at the Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (IUNR) at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). At the ZHAW, he heads the Tourism and Sustainable Development department with the research group at the Center da Capricorns in Wergenstein (branch of the ZHAW in the canton of Graubünden). His current work in teaching, research and development projects at the ZHAW focuses on sustainability in tourism, cultural and nature tourism and the socio-cultural challenges of rural (Alpine) areas in general.
Forster is also the owner of a consultancy firm that provides expertise in the fields of sustainability, tourism and regional development. He is on the management board of Prättigau Tourismus GmbH, a member of the board of directors of medelina SA (hotel and culture company in Curaglia) and a member of the Graubünden Brand Council. He lives with his family in Chur.
