TORONTO — G Adventures and Planeterra have announced the speaker and performer schedule for the inaugural GX event, which will feature the first World Community Tourism Summit being hosted on World Tourism Day, Sept. 27.
As promised earlier this week by G Adventures’ Managing Director, David Green, the lineup is a great one, with a performance by Village People, and a long list of eminent keynote speakers including Bruce Poon Tip, founder of both G Adventures and Planeterra.
The GX summit, taking place in Peru and running Sept. 22 – 28, is billed as a multi-day, mega-event that will welcome travel advisors, suppliers, media and travellers, from around the world, to experience first-hand the impact community tourism can have on a destination.
GX culminates on World Tourism Day, Sept, 27, where all groups will be brought together for a day of uplifting and informative keynote talks and lively discussions, says Poon Tip. 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.
Village People
Jessica Nabongo (credit Justin Millhouse)
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. The event will also provide a platform for thought-provoking conversations tackling important issues such as how community tourism can have a positive impact on local communities – especially for women.
Poon Tip 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,” he said.
“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 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.
“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,” said Poon TIp.
Jamie Sweeting, President of Planeterra, said 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,” said Sweeting.
Speakers who will take the stage during the first World Community Tourism Summit on Sept. 27 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
- Zyson Mayr – Adventurer and presenter
More information on GX is at https://gx.gadventures.com/. Follow-up details will be released post-event.
Tyson Mayr at Mt. Kilimanjaro
