Who better to highlight and symbolize G Adventures’ first community tourism summit than The Village People? The group will give a private performance for delegates at the event, which is being conducted by the Canadian-based tour company in Peru on World Tourism Day, Sept. 27.
With its charitable foundation, Planeterra, G has announced the speaker and performer schedule – including the iconic disco-era group – for the World Community Tourism Summit, which concludes G’s inaugural GX event, which runs from Sept. 22.
Thirteen Canadian agents and partners will join global delegates at GX, which promises “eye-opening” discussions and the chance for delegates to experience firsthand the positive impact community tourism can have on a destination.
The conference will culminate with World Tourism Day Summit, a last day of “uplifting” keynote talks and discussions, followed by dinner and a gold-themed party in celebration of Planeterra’s 20th anniversary, to be hosted at the ancient temple of Qorikancha and with a grand finale performance by The Village People closing out the night.
In addition to band, known for its colourful costumes and hits “YMCA,” “Macho Man” and “In the Navy,” highlights will include keynote presentations from inspirational and adventurous travel personalities Jessica Nabongo, Tyson Mayr, and Mario Rigby, highlighting how community tourism has impacted them on their travels and shaped who they are as travellers.
Important issues such as how community tourism can have a positive impact on local communities – especially for women – will also be discussed as thought leaders will come together to consider community tourism’s role in the climate crisis, as well as to tackle top-of-mind issues in travel, such as overtourism.
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,” he says.
Moreover, he continues, “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.”
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,” she says.
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
- 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, visit: https://gx.gadventures.com/.