Toronto kicked off the series, and was a huge success. Hope you didn't miss it! On behalf of Bruce and G Adventures, thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the event. We couldn't have done it without you.
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Toronto, ON M5B 2H1
On September 27, 2011, G Adventures held the very first Future of Tourism—an evening of discussion, debate and creative exchange between visionaries from across the tourism spectrum.
The event, which featured speakers Bruce Poon Tip of G Adventures, Erika Harms of the GSTC, Gary Arndt of Everything Everywhere and Paula Vlamings of Planeterra, explored the roles travel and sustainable tourism play in the modern world, and sought to set the agenda for the future of the travel industry and our planet.
Founder of G Adventures, Bruce has been one of sustainable tourism's most active proponents for more than 20 years. As Bruce sees it, there is no box to think outside of anymore, and concepts like 'freedom' and 'happiness' can—and in G Adventures' case, do—make for a functional and successful business model.
Creator of one of the most popular travel blogs in the world—and one of TIME's "Top 25 Best Blogs of 2010," no less—Gary has been travelling the world since 2007. Perhaps no one is as well equipped to discuss the future of communications and mobility in regards to travel than he is.
Erika manages and oversees the implementation of activities under the framework of the GSTC, a cutting edge initiative that provides a clear set of standards, protocols, processes and measurements for how businesses can better the planet and practice sustainable tourism. She serves as a judge of several awards. In 2008, Conde Nast Traveler recognized Ms. Harms as a "Trail Blazer" in Sustainable Tourism and in 2010 she received the HSMAI award for Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing.
G Adventures has had its collective finger firmly on the pulse of travel for over 20 years. We have worked hard to make it beat faster by offering the widest selection of affordable small-group tours, safaris and expeditions across the world. We believe that every adventure begins with a single step, and that experiencing different lands and cultures can make the world a better place for all its inhabitants.
Planeterra is a non-profit organization that empowers local people to develop their communities, conserve their environments and create humane and supportive systems for their endeavours. All proceeds from the Future of Tourism event will go to fund Planeterra projects around the world.