An Honours student at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), who published research about volunteer tourism, has graduated with distinction.

Ms Su-Marie van Tonder said she was excited to see the fruits of her labour paying off when she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Geography.

The 22-year-old lover of nature and outdoor activities said friends and family were very proud of her achievements. She is currently pursuing her Masters in the Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies where she also tutors.

Van Tonder’s Honours research contributed to a paper by Prof Gijsbert Hoogendoorn and Mrs Elizabeth Block, published by the African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, exploring conservation volunteer tourism in the Hartbeespoort region of South Africa.

Van Tonder’s on-going research is on tourism climatology. She plans to pursue a PhD and a career in the field of sustainable tourism or sustainable development.