Event Programme 2009

World Responsible Tourism Day aims to educate and inform travel and tourism professionals and raise awareness of responsible tourism in the industry. 

Click here to view video, audio and presentation content of the 2009 WTM World Responsible Tourism programme from the World Travel Market website.

Advances in Travel Philanthropy - 12:30 - 13:30 North Gallery Room 8

WTM has commissioned a report on Trends in Travel Philanthropy, there will be a brief presentation of the findings of this report and a round table discussion about the state of visitor pay back, charitable giving, destination-driven donating and the contribution of tour operators, hotels and the Travel Foundation. This is an opportunity to find out what is happening in this diverse and complex sector and to reflect on what the contribution which the industry can make. Commissioned by The International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT)

Speakers:

• Prof. Harold Goodwin, Professor of Responsible Tourism Management, Director, International Centre for Responsible Tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University
• Sue Hurdle, Chief Executive, Travel Foundation
• Dawid de Villiers, Chairman of the UNWTO World Committee on Tourism Ethics and Chairman of the International Task Force for the Protection of Children in Tourism
• Fiona Jeffery, Chairman and Founder international water-aid charity, Just a Drop.
   

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What will the outbound UK travel market look like in 2023? 
14.00 – 15.00 North Gallery Rooms 6 & 7

The UK, in common with other major markets in Europe and North America, is experiencing significant changes – climate change, soaring fuel prices, recession as well as changes in attitudes to responsible and sustainable tourism. A valuable research-based insight into how the UK outbound market is likely to change by 2023.

Chairman:

• Stephanie Draper, Director, Changes Strategies, Forum for the Future

Speakers:

• Mike Greenacre, Managing Director, Co-operative Travel
• Dermot Blastland, CEO, TUI UK

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Paying the Cost of Visiting - 15:30 - 17:00 North Gallery Room 6 & 7

Chaired by Dr. Simon Woodward, tourism and heritage industry consultant with 

• Nayef Al Fayez, Managing Director, Jordan Tourism Board
• Dr David Souden, Historic Royal Palaces
• Andres Alvarez Calderon, Director, Museo Larco.

Historical fabric and value of precious cultural heritage sites are being damaged by uncontrolled or badly managed tour groups. This workshop will draw examples of good practice of heritage sites worldwide.

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Official WTM WRTD Opening - 10.30 - 11.00

Hosted by Stephen Sackur, presenter, BBC’s Flagship news and current affairs programme HARDtalk.

Speakers:

• Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of World Travel Market and pioneer of responsible tourism over 16 years
  
• Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, UNWTO

Guest of Honour:

• Andrew Mitchell, world authority on rainforests, Founder and Director of Global Canopy, advisor to the Prince of Wales Rainforest Project.

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Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - 11.00 - 12.00

Presentation of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Travel Awards 2009, the largest awards of their kind in the world. An initiative between online travel directory responsibletravel.com and Virgin Holidays.

View press release and list of winners

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WRTD Hot Seat - 12.00 - 12.30

Stephen Sackur puts Peter Long, Chief Executive of TUI Travel, Europe’s largest tour operator in the ‘Hot Seat’.

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Break

Tourism’s Responsibility for Climate Change - 14.00 - 15.00

Focus on what the tourism industry can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, examining how to significantly reduce carbon pollutions.

Chairman:

• Stephen Sackur, Presenter, BBC

Panellists:

• Jonathon Counsell, Head of Environment, British Airways
  
• Sue Hurdle, Chief Executive, Travel Foundation
  
• Toby Kent, Assistant Director, Sustainability and Climate Change, Price Waterhouse Coopers
  
• Josó Luque Garcia, Managing Director, Fuerte Hoteles
  
• Prof Harold Goodwin, Director, International Centre for Responsible Tourism

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Making Better Places for People to Live In - 15.30 - 16.30

How can tourism contribute to local economic development, poverty reduction, the maintenance of local communities and their environments?

Chairman:

• Stephen Sackur, Presenter, BBC

Panellists:

• George Hickton, Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand
  
• Manda Brookman, Director, CoaST, Cornwall Sustainable Development
  
• Oskar Hinteregger, Director, Austrian Tourist Board
  
• Nombulelo Mkefa, Director of Tourism, City of Cape Town
  
• Dr. Venu V, Secretary, Kerala Tourism

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WTM World Responsible Tourism Day Networking Reception - Platinum Suite 3 - 16.30 - 18.00

An unrivalled chance to meet and share views on responsible tourism with experts and those who are new to responsible tourism or are considering responsible tourism activity within their business for the first time.

The Business Case for Responsible Tourism Conference

Some of the world’s leading responsible tourism experts gave an insight in to how ‘going green’ can directly help improve the bottom line. This unique international conference gave access to specialists who will help using responsible tourism as a major marketing, sales and PR tool. Delegates listened to case histories and world-class advice about how it can be successfully introduced - by the people who know best.

Definitely something to consider… particularly in these difficult economic times.

Responsible tourism can transform a travel company – but only if there is real commitment. It can:

• Boost revenue growth
• Save overhead costs
• Motivate and inspire staff
• Secure market advantage
• Enhance brand value
• Improve customer service

What did the conference give?

• New and fresh business ideas that could transform your business
• Opportunities to bolster profit
• Brilliant advice for some of the world’s most respected responsible tourism experts.

The conference was chaired by Prof. Harold Goodwin, Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK who works with governments, communities and the international industry worldwide.

The conference was welcomed by Fiona Jeffery, Chairman World Travel Market, international responsible tourism pioneer for the past 15 years.

Speakers included:

Andy Cooper, Director of Government and External Affairs, Thomas Cook will talk about the contribution which Responsible Tourism makes to the maintenance of brand value, developing investor relations and securing investment, and the carbon reduction agenda.

Catherine Mack, National Journalist on responsible tourism will tell you how a reputation for being sustainable adds value to your brand, as well as attracting growing media interest. She is a regular columnist for the Irish Times and writes for the UK’s The Observer and Guardian newspaper.

Emma Stratton, co-owner of Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Cornwall, will talk about how she has built a formidable brand reputation on the strength of the hotel’s commitment to sustainability. Among the hotel’s many awards are South West Tourism’s Silver Sustainable Tourism 2008 and Cornwall Tourist Board’s Gold Sustainable Hotel of the Year 2008.

George Hickton, Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand, will outline how the role of sustainable tourism boosted the highly respected and acclaimed ‘100% Pure New Zealand’ marketing strategy.

Justin Francis, Managing Director and co-founder of responsibletravel.com will show you how his radical approach has proved that it is possible to be a profitable business at the same time as being an ethical business.

Tim Williamson, Customer Director, TUI Travel UK & Ireland and chairman of the Federation of Tour Operators Responsible Tourism Committee and a member of the ABTA board will demonstrate how TUI has secured market advantage from responsible tourism.

Dr Xavier Font, Director of Studies at the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, Leeds Metropolitan University UK, will speak about web marketing. He is currently completing research for the International Finance Corporation on World Hotel Link, proactively seeking out, listing and promoting accommodation and other services which support sustainable objectives.

Who Attended?

• Airline and airport executives
• Car rental managers
• Corporate social responsibility executives
• Cruise line and ferry managers
• Health resort managers 
• Hotel managers and trade associations
• Press and media
• Public relations executives
• Rail executives
• Travel agencies
• Tour operators and trade associations

This professional conference was organised with support from the International Centre for Responsible Tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University www.icrtourism.org

More about the The Business Case for Responsible Tourism Conference 2008

Tourism and Social Responsibility: Increasing your Profit by Doing Good
12.30 - 13.30 – North Gallery Rooms 4/5

This session by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation will study the lessons learned on work in the Mekong Region in Asia, as well as in Africa and Latin America, highlighting the social dimension of responsible tourism, the economic impacts through local supply chains development and local employment creation.

Chaired by Prof. Harold Goodwin, director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, hotels, resorts and tour operators examine ways of using sustainable tourism as an integral part of marketing and promotion, overcoming the current economic downturn.

Speaker:

• Anne-Maria Makela - Senior Tourism Advisor, SNV
• Anna Spenceley - Senior Tourism Advisor, SNV - Rwanda
• Hamish Keith - Managing Director of Thailand/Director of Business Development, Exotissimo Travel
• Willem Niemeijer - CEO and co-founder, Khiri Travel Group
• H.E. Tith Chantha - Ministry of Tourism Cambodia

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How can hotels contribute to, and benefit from, biodiversity conservation?
14:00 - 15:00 North Gallery Rooms 4/5

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Join ACCOR, Tropic Journeys in Nature, Royal Caribbean Cruises and TUI Travel in a discussion on the biodiversity related risks and opportunities for the accommodation sector. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will ask the question whether biodiversity is relevant for hotels, chaired by Giulia Carbone, programme officer, Business and Biodiversity Programme, IUCN

Speakers:

• Richard Short, Health, Safety and Environment Manager, ACCOR Hotels
• Andy Drumm, President, Tropic Journeys in Nature
• Jamie Sweeting, Vice President, Environmental Stewardship, Royal Caribbean Cruises
• James Whittingham, Group Environment Manager, TUI Travel PLC

Why Biodiversity?
From cotton towels and sheets in guest rooms, to food in the restaurant and wood used for furniture and fittings – the products of biodiversity are everywhere inside hotels. Outside, plants and animals make a hotel’s public spaces and gardens attractive for guests, while beyond the hotel gates, parks, green spaces, coasts and natural habitats provide guests with opportunities for recreation and enjoyment. 

Restaurant chefs, spa mangers, interior designers and shopkeepers have all a role to play.  Their seafood choices in the menus, selection of medicinal and aromatic plants for the spas, use of live animals and plants in hotel grounds, selection of wildlife-based souvenirs, offers of excursions, all contribute to the overall impact on biodiversity. 

Providing Solutions
Recognizing these important links, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in partnership with ACCOR, has developed guidelines on the sustainable use of biological resources in hotels’ operational areas. The target audience includes all hotel managers and owners of small and large hotels, located anywhere, from cities to mountains and coastal areas.