Inaugural Global Sustainable Tourism Summit to delve into issues challenging the industry
Ecotourism Australia, the peak national body for nature-based and sustainable tourism is launching its inaugural Global Sustainable Tourism Summit in Brisbane from 4th to 6th June.
Hosted at the Pullman Mercure Brisbane King George Square, which was one of the first hotels in Australia to achieve Sustainable Tourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia, the event will position sustainability at the forefront to inspire and empower tourism businesses and industry.
Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive, Elissa Keenan, said Ecotourism Australia is proud to deliver the Global Sustainable Tourism Summit to support tourism stakeholders on their sustainability journey.
Keenan shared “The Global Sustainable Tourism Summit will be key to raising the importance and uptake of sustainability actions across the Australian visitor economy by championing the leaders and problem-solvers who are delivering world’s best practice.
“We are delighted to feature a high calibre of speakers on our inaugural Summit program to discuss the critical risks and significant opportunities for sustainable tourism and to share insights, learnings and leading case-study examples with more than 260 delegates.”
Accor Pacific’s Chief Operating Officer, Adrian Williams PM&E, said they are proud to be supporting the Summit as a Partner sponsor and added “Accor is the largest hotel operator in Australia and we love playing a leading role in inspiring new standards for sustainable tourism in the hotel industry.
“I truly believe that the path to a more sustainable hospitality model begins with collaboration. Forming and nurturing the right partnerships with high-impact organisations, like Ecotourism Australia, is essential to help achieve our ambitious sustainability goals.
“We are so honoured to be a partner of their Global Sustainable Tourism Summit and are looking forward to coming together with other industry leaders in June to work towards our common goal of responsible hospitality.”
Pivotal discussions will follow the event’s theme, “People, Planet, Place, Purpose” based on the four pillars of sustainability: environment, socio-economic, culture, and management.
Over the course of two conference days on 5th and 6th June, keynote speakers and panellists will delve into some of the most critical topics for the industry such as sustainable cruising, aviation, wildlife tourism, collaborating with indigenous stakeholders, and global consumer and industry trends, while considering the risks and opportunities for eco and sustainable tourism.
More than 60 speakers are featured on the program including Chief Frank Antoine (Bonaparte First Nation, Canada), Bede Fennell (Tourism Australia), David Young (Accor Pacific), Annette Sharpe (Intrepid Travel), Cliff Cobbo (WWF-Australia), Matt Cameron-Smith (Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia), Michelle Degenhardt (Flight Centre Travel Group) and Paul McGrath (YHA Ltd), in addition to myriad ECO Certified and Sustainable Tourism Certified operators and destination representatives, showcasing the latest innovations and global best-practice sustainability examples.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Summit will host more than 260 tourism industry professionals in Brisbane including tourism operators, destination managers, state and regional tourism organisation representatives, government officials, national parks agencies, academics, and industry association leaders.
The event kicks off on Tuesday 4th June with a Sustainability Tour of applicant ECO Destination, Scenic Rim, and a Welcome Function at the Pullman’s Sixteen Antler’s Rooftop Bar, ahead of the main two-day Summit program. A World Environment Day Cocktail Function on Wednesday 5th June, hosted in partnership with Queensland Tourism Industry Council, will also offer networking opportunity for delegates.
This is the inaugural Global Sustainable Tourism Summit and follows Ecotourism Australia’s previous Global ECO Conference, one of the world’s longest running ecotourism conferences.
Click here for more information in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.
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