G Adventures and Planeterra have announced the speaker and performer schedule for the inaugural GX event, which will culminate with the first World Community Tourism Summit on World Tourism Day, September 27.
The day will be packed with informative and will conclude at an after party with a private performance for GX attendees by iconic music group Village People.
During GX, which runs from September 22, 13 Canadian agents and partners will join G Adventures’ community of suppliers, media, team members and travellers, as they gather from around the globe to experience firsthand the positive impact community tourism can have on a destination.
G Change-Makers in Peru. (Photo Credit: G Adventures)
The event will come to a crescendo on World Tourism Day, September 27, where all groups will be brought together for uplifting and informative keynote talks and discussions. These will be followed by dinner and a gold-themed party in celebration of Planeterra’s 20th anniversary, to be hosted at the ancient temple of Qorikancha, sponsored by ProColombia, with a grand finale performance by Village People.
Inspirational and adventurous travel personalities Jessica Nabongo, Tyson Mayr and Mario Rigby will deliver keynote presentations highlighting how community tourism has impacted them on their travels and shaped who they are as travellers.
Thought-provoking conversations tackling important issues such as how community tourism can have a positive impact on local communities -- especially for women – will also be on the agenda.
Thought leaders, including influential travel media, will come together to discuss community tourism’s role in the climate crisis, as well as to tackle issues in travel such as overtourism in popular hotspots.
Bruce Poon Tip, founder of both G Adventures and Planeterra, says GX will be a groundbreaking and life-changing event for guests, as they see firsthand the power community tourism can have when they visit four community tourism enterprises developed in partnership with Planeterra.
“This event is going to be a celebration like no other. 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,” Poon Tip adds. “We’ve been showcasing the beautiful concept of community tourism to our travellers for years, and I can’t wait to welcome our guests to Peru to also show them what it's all about, and to have a lot of fun at the same time.
Iconic band The Village People will close out the GX Community Tourism Summit in Peru. (Photo Credit: G Adventures)
“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.
Jamie Sweeting, president of Planeterra, says GX and the World Community Tourism Summit will explore how the travel industry can better support and engage in community tourism.
“We’re excited to showcase the evolution of Planeterra and G Adventures’ impact on local communities, with some of Planeterra’s earliest community tourism partners taking the stage to share their knowledge and experience. These partners exemplify what it means to do community tourism well, so we can all learn from them,” says Sweeting.
Travel expert and author Jessica Nabongo will speak at the GX Summit. (Photo Credit: G Adventures)
Speakers who will take the stage during the first World Community Tourism Summit include:
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
For more information on GX, click here.
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