Includes after party performance by iconic band, Village People
G Adventures and Planeterra have announced the speaker and performer schedule for the inaugural GXevent, which will feature the first World Community Tourism Summit being hosted on World Tourism Day, September 27, 2023. The day will be packed with informative and eye-opening discussions, and will conclude at an after party with a private performance for GX attendees by iconic, world renowned, music group Village People.
During GX, which runs from September 22, 13 US agents and partners will join G Adventures’ community of suppliers, media, team members and travelers, as they gather from around the globe to experience firsthand the positive impact community tourism can have on a destination.
The event culminates on World Tourism Day, September 27, where all groups will be brought together for a day of uplifting and informative keynote talks and lively 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 closing out the night.
Inspirational and adventurous travel personalities Jessica Nabongo, Tyson Mayr and Mario Rigby will deliver powerful 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 held. 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 that are currently prevalent in the press 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 to impact positive change 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. 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.
“We’ve been showcasing the beautiful concept of community tourism to our travelers 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.
“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.
Speakers who will take the stage during the first World Community Tourism Summit on September 27, 2023 include:
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Alfredo Ferreryos – Explorandes
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Brendan Roberts – TourRadar
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Bruce Poon Tip – G Adventures
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Daniel Walsh – Reforest
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Dayvee Sutton – Reporter and travel expert
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Halga Benito – Parwa Community Restaurant
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Jamie Sweeting – Planeterra
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Jessica Nabongo – Travel expert and author
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Joanna Hagen – Sustainability expert and writer
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José Koechlin – Inkaterra
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Juan Sebastian Sanchez Chica – ProColombia
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Judy Kepher-Gona – Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda
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Kevin Rushby – The Guardian
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Meenu Vadera – Azad Foundation
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Mario Rigby – Eco-explorer
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Thomas Armitt – Planeterra
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Tyson Mayr – Adventurer and presenter
A wrap up of the inaugural GX event and topics covered will be released following the event. For more information on GX, please visit: https://gx.gadventures.com/.
About G Adventures:
Founded in 1990 by social entrepreneur Bruce Poon Tip, G Adventures is a small group adventure travel operator offering more than 750 trips in 100 countries, on all seven continents. G Adventures’ award-winning trips support local communities, giving travelers meaningful experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, while offering them the freedom and flexibility to explore on their own. G Adventures’ responsible approach to travel is demonstrated through its ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives, which include travel guidelines for children, wildlife and Indigenous people, community-based social enterprise projects travelers can experience on a trip, and its industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’ assessment which measures how many traveler dollars stay in the local economy. G Adventures offers life-changing experiences for individuals of all ages, interests and budgets. Because our world deserves more you. For more information please visit www.gadventures.com
About Planeterra
Planeterra is the world’s leading nonprofit organization using tourism to uplift communities. Planeterra helps local organizations and communities use tourism as a catalyst to improve people’s lives, protect their natural environments, and celebrate their culture. Put simply, it is a better kind of tourism – improving the lives of community members as they provide travelers with better experiences. Planeterra is more than just an agent of change and driver of communal well-being, they are tested and trusted builders uplifting communities through tourism. For more information please visit https://planeterra.org/
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Kim Greiner, US PR Manager, G Adventures – [email protected]