A very impressive list of speakers will take the stage as part of the groundbreaking GX event, and you’ll never guess who’s performing at the party afterwards…
G Adventures and Planeterra have announced the list of inspiring speakers scheduled to appear at the first ever World Community Tourism Summit in Peru later this month. They’ve also revealed there will be a live performance by none other than the legendary, the iconic, the fabulous… Village People.
On World Tourism Day, September 27th 2023, several influential members of the travel community will deliver eye-opening and thought-provoking presentations to an audience of 300+ agents, suppliers, media and travellers from across the globe.
The impressive lineup of speakers includes:
- Alfredo Ferreryos – Explorandes
- Brendan Roberts – TourRadar
- Bruce Poon Tip – G Adventures
- Daniel Walsh – Reforest
- Dayvee Sutton – Reporter and travel expert
- Halga Benito – Parwa Community Restaurant
- Jamie Sweeting – Planeterra
- Jessica Nabongo – Travel expert and author
- Joanna Hagen – Sustainability expert and writer
- José Koechlin – Inkaterra
- Juan Sebastian Sanchez Chica – ProColombia
- Judy Kepher-Gona – Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda
- Kevin Rushby – The Guardian
- Meenu Vadera – Azad Foundation
- Mario Rigby – Eco-explorer
- Thomas Armitt – Planeterra
- Tyson Mayr – Adventurer and presenter
Topics of discussion will include vital issues affecting the travel industry, like the ways in which tourism can positively impact local communities and travellers alike, how the industry can help address the climate crisis, and how to tackle the issue of overtourism in popular destinations.
Prominent travel personalities and content creators like Jessica Nabongo, Mario Rigby and Tyson Mayr will also share how community tourism has influenced their own travel preferences, choices and personal experiences.
The WCTS is the climax of the week-long GX event, an epic celebration of the 20th anniversary of Planeterra and belated 30th birthday party for G Adventures. Attendees, including 30 Aussie and Kiwi agents and representatives, will spend the days leading up to the summit exploring iconic sites in and around Cuzco. They’ll also visit several community tourism enterprises developed in partnership with Planeterra to see firsthand the positive impact the organisation has had in the area.
All delegates will then come together on the 27th for what promises to be an uplifting day of keynote talks and insightful panel discussions. In the evening, they’ll head to the ancient temple of Qorikancha to kick up their heels as the Village People perform their greatest hits at a gold-themed party, sponsored by ProColombia.
“This event is going to be a celebration like no other” promises Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures and Planeterra, “I can’t wait to show our community of communities just how transformative travel can be when it’s done right – not just for local people, but also for our guests as they see what a pivotal role they play in empowering people working in the tourism sector.”
“GX is an evolution of all the events we have hosted over the years – it’s bigger and better than any that have come before it. We have an incredible lineup of inspiring and influential speakers who are all committed to making the world a better place through travel. I am grateful and humbled they are joining us, and are enthusiastic to share their personal journeys and knowledge. And what better way to wrap up the first World Community Tourism Summit than with an act that stands for diversity and inclusion and bringing different communities together, the iconic Village People,” says Poon TIp.
Travel Weekly will be there on the ground, covering all the action and dominating the dance floor. Stay tuned.
