GGDD20:
October 6-9 | Online conference
Welcome to GGDD20
The 5th. edition of the Global Green Destinations Days 2020 takes place from Oct 6 to Oct 9, 2020, wherever you are.
GGDD is a yearly conference for connecting sustainability professionals, destinations, and tourism boards in order to support peer to peer learning and finding sustainable solutions for tourism destinations. Whether you are a tourism professional, researcher, or just curious we invite you to our free online GGDD conference with interactive live presentations, discussions, and workshop.
Session recordings & downloads
Session 1: Opening and Top 100 presentation
Session 2: Certification To Support Destination Recovery
Presentations will be made available here as/if they are provided by presenters
- Rod Hillman: Rebuilding from a crisis
- Penny Spoelder: Does size really matter?
- Danica Banjevic: The Case of Tivat
- Prof. Tuncay Kuleli: A theoretical framework to measure the sustainability of coastal uses
Presentations will be made available here as/if they are provided by presenters
Session 1: Redefining Tourism Success
- Masaru Takayama: Motivating Governments to become Green Destinations
- Joanne Chang: A Case Study of Sun Moon Lake
- Susan Santos de Cardenas: Rebuilding Tourism in a More Sustainable Way
- Luca D’Angelo: Dolomiti Paganella Future Lab
- Blanka Kovacic: The pure power of nature
Session 1: Redefining Tourism Success
- Dağhan Mehmet Yazıcı: Zero Waste Blue
- Ayyoub Salameh: Tackling Waste Management on North Island
- Riine Rander: A Case Study of Saaremaa
- Bev Thornton: Partnerships, Innovation and Green Economy Reducing Climate Impact
Session 1: Beyond Tourism's Dependency
- Magdalena A.K. Muir: Utilizing GSTC and GD Criteria to achieve Sustainable Development During COVID-19 Pandemic
- Felipe Omar Vera Soto: The Experience of Natales And Futaleufu In Chilean Patagonia
- Anja Sedevčič: Tree for Cerje (Drevo za Cerje)
- Romana Purkart: Saving Lake Bled
- Greg Bakunzi: Rwanda – A Case Study
Session 2: Workshop Storytelling | The Future of Tourism Coalition
- JoAnna Haugen: workshop “What’s your story?”
- Kim du Toit: The Future of Tourism Coalition
Themes
GD’s President Albert Salman will open the conference and reflect on the future of tourism in times of Covid19 and the role of Green Destinations.
Top 100 Ceremony
At GGDD20 we celebrate the Sustainable Top 100 Destinations of 2020, recognising their efforts and steps towards sustainability helping to make tourism more profitable for all stakeholders by building awareness on the negative impacts and hidden costs of tourism development.
Session date:
October 6 – 14h00 – 14h45 GMT +2 (CEST)
Organiser: Green Destinations
Certification To Support Destination Recovery
This session will discuss how destinations manage broad stakeholder cooperation, stick to their sustainable values in times of crisis and how we measure sustainability with the help of destination certification programs.
Session date:
6 October, 2020
15h00 – 16h30 GMT+2 (CEST)
Single session Duration: 90 minutes
Organiser: Green Destinations
Host: Ahmet Aras, Mayor of Bodrum, Turkey
Speakers
Danica Banjevic
Rod Hilman
Destination: Turkey
Presenting:
A theoretical framework to measure the sustainability of coastal uses
Tuncay Kuleli
Destination: Niue
Presenting:
Does size really matter? The journey of the world’s smallest independent nation toward sustainable tourism
Penny Spoelder
Session Description:
It is time to rethink the way we want to go forward in dealing better with the social and environmental pressures that is why this session will include insights on topics such as quality of travel, local jobs and income, emissions and pollution, clean products and services in times of a pandemic. The crisis coming with COVID-19 highlights the fragility and the unsustainability of the sector: in this session, we show there is no way back but forward.
Session date:
7 October, 2020
14h00 – 15h30 GMT+2 (CEST)
Single Session Duration: 90 minutes
Organiser: Green Destinations
Host: Pekka Alhojarvi, Chairman and CEO, Finland
Speakers
Destination: Philippines
Presenting:
Rebuilding Tourism in a More Sustainable Way- Make Your Tourism Recovery Green
Susan Santos de Cardenas
Blanka Kovačič
Destination: Japan
Presentation:
Motivating Government of all sizes to become Green Destinations – Japan’s cases
Masaru Takayama
Luca D'Angelo
Destination: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan
Presentation:
___________
Joanne Chang
Reducing our climate impact:
Join the discussion on how to reduce climate impacts by marketing strategies aimed at domestic or regional tourism; reducing waste, creating space for hiking and biking; managing environmental crisis and a lot more.
Session date:
October 7, 2020
16h00 – 17h30 GMT+2 (CEST)
Single Session Duration: 90 minutes
Organiser: Green Destinations
Host: Gabriel Minas Amaya, Strategic Development of Tourism, Ecuador
Speakers
Presenter:
Daghan Mehmet Yazici
TURMEPA
Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association.
Presenting: Zero Waste Blue
Dağhan Mehmet Yazıcı
Destination: North Island, Seychelles
Presenting:
Tackling Waste Management on North Island
Ayyoub Salameh
Session Description:
COVID-19 is not expected to disappear, so destinations will have to adapt to the new reality. Learn about the newest innovations, traditions and tourism products adapting to a new normal, hereunder cooperating with governmental restrictions balancing the local communities and visitors. The overarching question will dig into what to do when the tourism product, the destination or its natural attributes, is changed.
Session date:
8 October, 2020
14h00 – 15h30 GMT+2 (CEST)
Session Duration: 90 minutes
Organiser: Green Destinations
Host: Katja Haase, Marketing Manager, Namibia
Add session to calendar:
Speakers
Anja Sedevčič
Romana Purkart
Destination: Caribbean-Pacific Islands-Remote Arctic Coasts
Presenting: Utilizing Global Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria and Green Destinations Standards to Achieve Sustainable Development for Caribbean and Pacific Islands During COVID-19 Pandemic
Magdalena A.K. Muir
Destination: Futaleufú, Chilean Patagonia
Presentation: The Experience of Natales And Futaleufu In Chilean Patagonia
Felipe Vera Soto
Destination: Rwanda and The Democratic
Republic of Congo
Greg Bakunzi
Workshop
Many destinations that have been suffering from disruptive over-tourism are hoping for visitors to return, but in controlled and much smaller numbers to reduce the risk of a second wave. Therefore, we offer one workshop that provides insights into what the first steps towards sustainability look like and how to tell stories that shape our future.
Session date:
October 8 2020 16h00 -16h45 GMT + 2 (CEST)
Organiser: Green Destinations
Speaker
JoAnna Haugen
Session Description:
For the first time at GGDD, we will host a session including presentations and discussions in Portuguese. More languages presented at GGDD is the way forward and we are excited to welcome all of our Portuguese speaking presenters this year. This double session will include presentations on cultural heritage, community involvement, protection of natural sites and new innovative management strategies in times of the pandemic.
Pela primeira vez nos GGDD, iremos acolher uma sessão que incluirá apresentações e discussões em Português. O futuro passa por ter mais idiomas presentes nos GGDD e estamos muito entusiasmados para acolher todos os oradores de Língua Portuguesa na edição deste ano. Esta sessão dupla irá incluir apresentações sobre património cultural, envolvimento das comunidades locais, proteção de espaços naturais e, ainda, estratégias de gestão inovadoras em tempos de pandemia.
Session date:
October 9, 2020
16h00 – 18h30 GMT + 2 (The Netherlands)
15h00 – 17h30 GMT + 1 (Portugal)
11h00 AM – 13h30 PM UTC-03 (Brazil)
Session Duration: 120 minutes
Organiser: Green Destinations
Speakers
Diuly Cristina Mähler
Azores DMO
Destination: Azores, Portugal
Presentation:
Reducing Climate Impact: local action with a global impact
When:
Andreia Melo Carreiro
THEME 4
Destination:Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Presenting: Centro Cultural Trampolim da Vitória
When:
Giovani Rodrigues
THEME 4
Destination:São Miguel do Gostoso/ Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Presentation: The Community-Based Tourism course
When:
Janielle Linhares da Silva
THEME 6
Destination:Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Presenting: Ecological Sanctuary of Pipa
When:
Elizabeth Susana Bauchwitz
A panel of experts
This year’s event will bring together online selected destination leaders representing globally important tourism destinations. A unique opportunity to learn from specialists in the field, peer-to-peer learning, and to discover practical tools and solutions in sustainability issues.
Klemen Langus,who has been the director of Turizem Bohinj Board for many years, continuously strives to put sustainable and environmental development at the core of all activities in tourism. Under his leadership Turizem Bohinj has created a comprehensive sustainable tourism model, which bases on local economy and prioritising local people.
Mrs. Jačan Obratov has a journalism degree from the Zagreb University Faculty of Political Science. Her career in tourism began at the Head office of the Croatian Tourist National Board where she still works. From 2000 to 2002 she was Head of the Information Department and between 2002 and 2013, Head of the Communications and Publishing Department. She ran the Destination Support Department until March 2016 when she was appointed Director of Destination Management and Product Development Support Division. Through years of working in the publishing and production fields, Slavija and her team put through numerous projects that the Croatian National Tourist Board received recognition and awards. Mrs. Jačan Obratov was editor-in-chief of the oldest Croatian international interdisciplinary journal “Tourism“ between 2003 and 2013.
Master of Economic Sciences with many years of experience in the fields of business management, projects, marketing, tourism development at the national level and management of tourist destinations at the local level, also co-designer of the national project Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism. Currently is managing the tourist destination Miren Kras, which in 2019 received the golden sign of the Slovenian Green Destination and is ranked among the 6 most sustainable Slovenian destinations.
Carla Chandra is the Deputy Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, with the responsibility for product development and promotion of Guyana as a leading sustainable destination. She was born and spent her childhood in a remote indigenous community in Guyana called Kamarang, and has seen how tourism has positively impacted communities focused on tourism. With over 15 years of experience in the Travel and Tourism Industry and a great love for her country, Carla has a strong drive to contribute towards the development of Guyana and knows that sustainable tourism is the way to do that.
Fiskars Village, founded in 1649, is famous for long traditions of craftsmanship. It has plenty to offer in terms of modern design and art. Exhibitions, the museum, as well numerous performing art, slow food and outdoor events provide interesting experiences throughout the year.
Public Institution “Priroda” is responsible for managing protected areas and NATURA 2000 sites in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County through inventorying, evaluating, monitoring and supervision of protected natural areas, participating in the execution of international agreements on nature protection and implementation of European legislations and EU Directives related to the protection of natural values. In order to preserve griffon vultures, a strictly protected bird species on the basis of Croatian legislation, the Institution established the new Beli Visitor and Rescue Centre for Griffon Vultures, which is the only registered griffon vulture rescue center in the Republic of Croatia.
Lidija Srnec is working in Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service in Zagreb. She graduated from the Department of Geophysics and Meteorology at the University of Zagreb. In 2010 she finished Postgraduate Study of Natural Sciences. In DHMZ she is working in Climate Modelling, Climate Change Monitoring and Biometeorology Division. Her work is mainly in regional climate change filed and biometeorology.
The manager of the destination Bison Land. One of her loves is the tourism, since the highschool, but also with the region where she is coming from. She was studding tourism and project management and now she is one of the ones looking forward to develop the region Bison Land, the home land.
José Romana is head of the Nature and Biodiversity division at Cascais Ambiente, with a degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Algarve and a postgraduate degree in Management from ISEG – Lisbon School of Economics and Management. He is responsible for managing the teams of territorial planning , environmental monitoring and maintenance of natural spaces, under the management of Cascais Ambiente.
The Blue World Institute (BWI) has worked on Lošinj Island for 20 years monitoring the resident bottlenose dolphin community and promoting their conservation. In the last five years, the BWI has developed a dolphin-watching programme designed to set industry standards as this protected species has become seen more as a tourism resource than an integral part of the environment. The exponential growth of dolphin-watching in Croatia places these animals at risk, the need for a mandatory code of conduct and licencing issued by the Ministry of Tourism would help to protect these animals and protect responsible operators working in the region. International recommendations exist and should be adopted in Croatia.
Pekka Alhojärvi is the representative of Green Destinations in Finland.
Carlos Bernardes is Mayor of Torres Vedras, a municipality in the Portuguese district of Lisbon, since 2015, he is also “Quality Coast” Ambassador, “Green Destinations” Ambassador, and member of the Political Advisory Committee of the CIVITAS Initiative. He holds a PhD in Tourism by the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning, University of Lisbon, and a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Business Management by the Polytechnic Institute of the West. He has participated in several conferences, seminars, workshops and courses related to tourism, environment, sustainability and mobility, among other areas.
Maja Rešić is Head of Department for General relations in Public Institution Nature Park Lastovo islands. She has been on this position for 3 years. Public Institution Nature Park Lastovo islands is a marine protected area that has been managing the area since 2006. Consisting of 42 islands, islets and reefs and a geographical position, presents a challenge in management and preservation.
Valentina Bračanov is Head of Department for Acceptance of Visitors in Public Institution Kornati National Park. She has been in this position for 4 years. Public Institution Kornati National Park is a marine protected area that has been managing the area since 1980. Consisting of 89 islands, islets and reefs and a geographical position, presents a challenge in management and preservation.
Founder, CEO and President of Sustainable Riviera Maya, Ms. Barreal is a visionary towards “Paradise forever AND for everyone” fostering Sustainability through pride of belonging and inner force.
Irena Peršić Živadinov is the director of Kvarner Region Tourist Board. Before she took over her current position, her educational background and work experience were extensive: educated in Croatia, Italy and the USA; after attending an Italian high school, she graduated in the USA, where she afterwards studied Business Management. She continued education at the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Padua (Italy). After returning to Croatia, from the Faculty of Tourism she gained a Master’s degree and obtain her doctorate (Sustainable Energy Management in the Hotel Life Cycle). She is fluent in Italian and English.
Consulting-Elementerre is dedicated to help actors in the tourism sector to integrate sustainability into their daily operation. I develop tailor-made solutions which lead to a long-term and sustainable quality improvement. Furthermore, I advise institutions (GIZ, Futouris) and companies (Thomas Cook) on the realization of sustainable tourism projects
Portuguese independent expert, born in Lisbon in 1973, graduated in Geography of Regional and Urban Planning and living in the Azores since 2003. Owner of a Fisheries Services and Consultancy company, Henrique is also focused on sustainable solutions for the marine environment and territory in general. With early connections to Blue Flag Association, head of an Environmental movement in the Azores and representing the QualityCoast Awards Jury in 2015, Henrique has a Certificate in Sustainable Tourism by successfully completing the GSTC STTP (Sustainable Tourism Training Program in 2017. Since 2017 Henrique has been working as an independent auditor for QualityCoast Awards and Green Destinations certification.
Masaru founded Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN) to promote authentic ecotourism in the region by creating a networking platform for ecotourism fraternity. In 2018 Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies (JARTA) was also created to enhance responsible tourism movement in Japan. Also servin a number of key positions in the organizations both home and abroad. Japan Tourism Agency sustainable tourism international standard committee member, United Nations Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee Member of 10 YFP Sustainable Tourism Programme until earlyr this year. GSTC authorized trainer, Green Destinations auditor/coach, Travelife auditor, etc.
Siniša Topalović is managing partner at Horwath HTL. He has been involved in more than 150 projects within Horwath HTL network, shaping today’s tourism industry landscape in well-established but also emerging destinations worldwide.
The Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) is a national tourist board that has developed the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism (GSST), a national certification programme that brings together all efforts directed towards the sustainable development of tourism in Slovenia, offers tools to destinations and service providers that enable them to evaluate and improve their sustainability endeavours and promotes these green endeavours through the Slovenia Green brand. The GSST won them the title of First Green Country in the world and is one of the developmental tools, helping to address challenges like tourism flow management for better planning of strategic (marketing) actions.
Head of Green Infrastructure, with a degree in Landscape Architecture, he’s responsible for the ecological network masterplan, development of biodiversity action plans for different management areas, habitat and species management and survey, landscape planning and restoration project, special planning, and visitor experience programs. He is also responsible for environmental awareness and volunteers activates, mainly regarding nature conservation and environmental sustainability. He has been engaged with European institutions such as the Europcar Federation in the commission for sustainable agriculture in protected areas.
Mrs. Kordić is a part of the Plastic Free Zlarin Initiative, dedicated to eliminating the use of single-use plastic on Zlarin, promoting composting and a low waste lifestyle. They wanted Zlarin™s path to becoming the first Croatian plastic-free island to inspire transition towards sustainable living in other communities. Mrs. Kordić is one of the co-founders of the initiative the idea of which was brought to Zlarin from France by her colleague Ana Robb, where Ana works on turning her kids™ school plastic-free. Mrs. Kordić spent her late teen years and all of her adult life working on social development and change making by building volunteering infrastructure in Croatia.
Mrs. Marković Vukadin is a science associate at the Institute for tourism, focuses on research from the area of sustainable tourism development . As an expert in sustainable tourism, she participated in a number of European projects concerning spatial development of tourism, as well as in a large number of Master plans of tourism development. She has vast experience in the development of indicators for the needs of CROSTO (Croatian sustainable tourism observatory – a part of the UNWTO network. She is a lecturer at VERN University, Edward Bernays University and at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Dental medicine. She has published more than scientific 20 papers focused on sustainability.
Monique Chen is the co-founder and CEO of Sustainable Travel Taiwan (STT), and is specialist as an urban planner and museum operator. She engaged in cultural and environmental preservation works for 20 years. And one of her position job was the first Chief of Operations & Promotion in Gold Ecological Park which was a gold mining village from 18 century, where she was able to explore local history with mine workers and local residents, while developing a more sustainable approach to environmental conservation. STT’s main job is to take actions in encouraging destinations and tourism industry to implement GSTC criteria by using the tools of certification bodies recognized/accredited by the GSTC.
Gregory Bankuzi is the co-founder and president of the Ruhengeri Community Eco-Tourism Association, a local association of people collaborating to enhance tourism development in Rwanda. Recently he was appointed by the African Tourism Board to be in their steering committee representing the interest of African members on the platform. He is behind the 
Since 2016, Mr. Cappelli is the Minister of Tourism of the Croatian Government and it has served as former Mayor of Mali Lošinj and President of the Tourist Board of Mali Lošinj. During his work at Mali Lošinj, he induced many activities regarding the destination management development at the island of Lošinj, Croatia as well as the Lošinj archipelago as a year-round destination. During his mandate, the Tourist Board in Mali Lošinj became an affiliate member of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and a full member of the UNWTO Knowledge Network.