ERIK PETERSEN (UNITED STATES)
FOUNDER AND CEO
Erik Petersen is the founder, owner and operator of Riverside Haven in Matka. Riverside Haven is registered for tourism but functions with the greater goal of using tourism to revitalize the local economy and community. Erik and his wife Lisa are focused on finding ways to realize capital from the large numbers of tourists that pass through in order to create local employment opportunities and raise the standard of living for those already working in the area.
For 25 years Erik worked in repertory theatre, using drama as a means to influence, educate, challenge and provoke thought. Rather than merely entertain, drama and workshop activities were used to present new ways of thinking which ideally resulted in changes of behavior. It is this area that Erik will focus on, including a demonstration of these methods in practice.