Taking place on 24 May in London with TTG Media as media partner, the conference will focus on biodiversity and community tourism, with practical tips for delegates on how they can effect change.
"Our sector has a huge role to play in bringing economic opportunity, empowerment and support to destination communities, and to do so in a way that enables the disadvantaged, vulnerable or marginalised to benefit too," explained Kasia Morgan, Group Head of Sustainability at Travelopia, who will be speaking at the event.
"This requires making space to hear from these communities. So many inspiring and valuable examples already exist across our industry and I look forward to facilitating a discussion to surface these and share further ideas."
Elsewhere Tom Armitt, global manager of projects and partnerships at Planeterra who will also be speaking at the conference said: "Here at Planeterra, we see first-hand the challenges that tourism, or lack of tourism, can create for local communities.
"Too often these communities are overlooked, with very little opportunity to benefit from tourism which visits mainstream hotspots. The industry needs to change the way it thinks about ’responsible tourism’, realising it doesn’t have to take away from a holiday experience, it can enhance it hugely, with the opportunity to create meaningful connections with local people while ensuring traveller money is giving back."
Attendees will be invited to examine how to ensure their continued business growth and recovery is sustainable and positively contributes to communities, natural eco-systems, and cultural heritage across the globe.
Speakers confirmed so far include:
- Julia Simpson, president and chief executive, World Travel and Tourism Council
- Carol Rose, senior sustainability manager, Abta
- Carolyn Wincer, commercial director, Travelife
- Tom Armitt, global manager, projects and partnerships, Planeterra
- Ian Corbett, sustainable business manager, Tui
- Matt Callaghan, director of customer and operations, easyJet holidays
- Helen Coop, managing director, travel, Four Communications
- Kasia Morgan, group head of sustainability, Travelopia
- Bethany Hawkins, senior manager, Deloitte
Abta’s Sustainable Travel conference will take place on 24 May at the offices of Four Communications in the Hickman Building, London E1 1FX.
Abta is offering member travel agents five free hosted places to attend the conference free of charge. These will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
To register your interest please email events@abta.co.uk
Find out more about the event and view the agenda.
