WRTD 2010 Review

Captains of industry, government ministers and some of the world’s most respected and experienced responsible tourism experts were involved in WTM World Responsible Tourism Day 2010.

The WTM World Responsible Tourism Day programme, one of the best in the world, seeks to push the boundaries, examine the problems, identify solutions and ask those difficult questions that so often end up on the back burner.

The programme of speeches, presentations, debates and seminars was aimed at not only those already committed to responsible tourism activity, but others who have yet to join the growing  bandwagon.

The programme is direct, balanced and fair but also educational, informative and inspiring. The day was hosted by Stephen Sackur, presenter of HARDtalk, BBC World’s leading news and current affairs programme.

Last year, ecologist Tony Juniper, one of the world’s most forthright international campaigners and former Director of Friends of the Earth, was guest speaker at the Opening Ceremony.

Much admired by HRH Prince of Wales, eldest son of Queen Elizabeth 11, Juniper has co-written a book called ‘Harmony’, published just before World Travel Market, on how man has become dangerously disconnected from nature.

Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International and possibly travel and tourism industry’s youngest and most dynamic new breed of thrusting leaders took the HOTseat. One of the most keenly awaited sessions of the day, Stewart frankly answered Sackur’s probing questions that spanned the mistakes of the past as well as the future of inclusive resorts.

There was also the presentation of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, organised by responsibletravel.com and partnered by Metro Newspaper, Geographical and World Travel Market.

The day ended with the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day’s Networking Reception.

 View the 2011 WTM World Responsible Tourism Day Review