Bison’s are something that for most is an animal in a zoo or a picture, but not in the nature park.
Keywords: Visitor behaviour at sensitive sites; Nature conservation; Wildlife protection; (Nature & wildlife interactions); Nature & Animal Experience;Community involvement in planning; Ecotourism; Reintroduction of endangered species; Biodiversity management; Safari
To learn more about other sustainable destinations, please visit our Good Travel Guide.
You can download a full story here:
Any questions about our events or would like to organise events with us?
ANNA ALAMAN
RegenLab
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Anna Alaman is co-founder of The RegenLab for Travel and founder and CEO of Open Eyes India,since 2011. She is a Lecturer and Educator in Barcelona in Responsible Tourism Design, Social Enterprises and Introduction to Regenerative Development. Since 2020, is supporting and mentoring women to start, with more clarity and structure, their social enterprises creating a unique systemic business model design approach.
BIBIANA CALA
Good to Great Tourism
Canada
Social sciences professional with a Master’s degree in Sustainable Tourism Management, and Co-Founder of Good to Great Tourism. Over a wide-ranging career, she has advised governmental bodies, communities and organizations in the assessment and implementation of strategies and programs to support sustainable development. She has participated in several international initiatives and possesses keen abilities for stakeholder engagement. Passionate about sharing knowledge, she has been involved in the academic world as a university professor and has volunteered with several organizations where she has shared her skills and experience.
JOSE EDUARDO TOSTE
Azores DMO
Portugal
TANNER COLTON
Transformational Travel Council
USA
Tanner Colton is the Director of Design and Innovation at the Transformational Travel Council as well as the co-owner of the community-based tourism company Travel Life Adventures. Tanner is passionate about travel being a lever for both healing and regeneration as well as a venue for transformations of all kinds. An outdoor enthusiast and life-long traveler, Tanner understands the power that experiences can have on people and planet.
MANUELLE PRUNIER
Good to Great Tourism
Canada
Manuelle Prunier is a co-founder of Good to Great Tourism Ltd, one of the GD Representatives in Canada. She has a passion for harnessing the potential of tourism to improve lives, empower communities, enhance cultures and protect the environment. Much of her work has been community-led and founded on the principles that tourism should improve destinations and inspire tourists to bring positive changes to the places they visit, to their own lives, and to the world generally. She holds an MSc in International Development, a GSTC Certificate in Sustainable Tourism, and is a recognized transformational designer/ally of the Transformational Tourism Council.
In her diversified career spanning over 20 years and three continents (Europe, Africa, North and Central America), she has worked with the European Union, governments, Indigenous organizations, NGOs, communities and tour operators. She has developed community-based tourism projects, designed immersive experiences and itineraries, provided sustainable tourism training from grassroot to post-secondary level, advised governments on policy, product development and international marketing, carried out feasibility studies and led hiking tours for an award-winning sustainable tour operator.
Manuelle is now based in Calgary, close to the beautiful Canadian Rockies where she enjoys hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing and learning more about the environment and local cultures. She is grateful to live and work in Treaty Seven land, the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
ALBERT SALMAN
Green Destinations Foundation
President
Albert Salman is a disruptive innovator in tourism sustainability. He is co-founder of the Future of Tourism Coalition (2020), founder of Green Destinations, the world’s largest network of sustainable destinations (2014), the Sustainable Destinations Top 100, the world’s leading competition, the Green Destination Stories Awards, hosted and sponsored by ITB Berlin, and the Good Travel Guide, the world’s first travel website exclusively featuring certified destinations and businesses.
Albert holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in biology and environmental studies (1981) and started his career in coastal ecology and conservation. He founded the Coastal & Marine Union – EUCC in 1989 and became a senior executive coordinating a team of 35 specialists supporting European Union projects and programs, focusing on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), coastal erosion management, climate change adaptation and sustainable tourism planning.
As part of a European Union project, Albert developed the QualityCoast destination standard, a benchmarking and awards program (2007) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Review (GSTR, 2012), a database on tourism destination sustainability covering 2000 destinations.
In 2014 Albert founded Green Destinations which became the world’s leading organisation for destination assessment, benchmarking and certification, with 50 representatives supporting 200 destinations. Important milestones have been the recognition of the Green Destinations Standard by GSTC (2016) and the Accreditation of the Green Destinations Certification (2018).
Albert is supporting local, regional and country destinations in enhancing sustainability, quality and market visibility, by working with industry, governments and stakeholders on a day-to-day basis. This resulted into two recent initiatives engaging industry, that both materialised in 2020. First the Good Travel Guide, which features certified and Top 100 destinations and their certified tourism businesses. And finally, a business certification program that expects to create a revolution in sustainability certification, the Good Travel Seal. Like all earlier programs, also these initiatives are examples of Albert’s efforts against ‘greenwashing’ in tourism.
DIOGO NEVES
Green Destinations Certification Coordinator
Portugal
Extremely motivated to constantly develop my skills and grow professionally. Passionate about the travel and tourism industry, focusing on sustainability. Fluent speaker and writer in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Basic knowledge of German as well.
PAOLA CAIRAMPOMA
Green Destinations Representative
Peru
Professional specialized in Tourism Projects for the Public and Private Sector. Tourism Quality Consultant and Advisor – CALTUR Sustainable Management Advisor and Auditor – Green Destinations Manager at Consultora Eco Social Invest Tourism Business Consulting.
FELIPE VERA SOTO
Green Destinations Representative
Chile
My vision: The success of tourism activity will be real when the conservation of natural and cultural heritage allows the diversification of local economies.
ALYSSA SANDERS
Ecotourism Australia
Australia
Working within and for the Australian tourism industry brings me great joy, working with so many passionate people in the ecotourism industry brings purpose and meaning to my work. I thrive in building industry connections, getting to know various interesting people and building professional relationships – working together to achieve a common goal is so much more rewarding.
It is a great pleasure to be working with the tourism industry all throughout Australia to continue to strive towards and improve sustainable practises within the tourism industry and it’s broader community. I believe that every little step of progress we make is a benefit.
When I am not at work I can be found playing netball and learning Spanish language skills, not to mention my love for travel and exploration – even just my backyard.
I have a particular interest in learning about other cultures of the world. I truly believe that tourism and travel is the best way for people to gain a better understanding of the lives of others, and will in turn lead to better understanding of one another as individuals and harmony.
I have spent a lot of my spare time traveling to a variety of countries and cultures, including volunteering my time in Fiji for my gap year, backpacking through South America & Myanmar, a study tour in Hong Kong and Taiwan, traveling with my family through Scandinavia, backpacking Spain to further develop my Spanish language skills and exploring throughout a large part of Australian outback.
I reflect on my experiences whilst travelling through my travel blog, with not necessarily a purpose of recording my activities but rather with a purpose to share my learnings about other cultures with those that are interested and to reflect on the places I am experiencing to a deeper level.
I am one that learns from every aspect of my life, absorbing from the environment around myself.
ANNE DE JONG
Good Tourism Institute
Netherlands
Anne is a passionate change maker and fascinated by the tourism industry. Wanting to contribute to a futureproof tourism industry, she supports tour operators and destinations to become more resilient and sustainable.
Her main focus lies upon working towards sustainable and profitable businesses and destinations while making a positive impact on local communities and the environment. She emphasises on making sustainability easier, more accessible and attractive.
She works as sustainability consultant for her consultancy company Fair Sayari and the Good Tourism Institute. Additionally, she also works as Africa coordinator for certification schemes Travelife for Tour Operators and Green Destinations.
She is open for collaboration!
ANDREAS DOHLE
DEL Turismo
Brazil
In more than 20 years of experience as a consultant in international cooperation and in Brazil, I have gained experience in several areas, but in recent years I have focused on projects for local economic development (including sustainable tourism) and projects for the promotion of professional education with an emphasis on renewable energies and sustainable tourism.
I started my consultant career as a project manager of an international cooperation project between the Chamber of Crafts of Essen (Germany) and the Federation of Commercial and Industrial Associations of Minas Gerais (Brazil). The project was successful and in 2007 received the award for best cooperation project from the International Chamber of Commerce.
One of the projects I coordinate is the Verena Project, a partnership between Europa- und Innovationscentre Trier, SENAC RN and SENAI RN to promote tourism and renewable energies in Rio Grande do Norte. In 2018, the project was awarded in a national competition by the Ministry of Tourism as the best project in the area of education.
In addition to acting in the coordination of international projects, in 2005 I created with two partners the Institute for the Development of Organizations – I.D.O. Brasil. The Institute’s work, since its creation, has been focused on motivating and educating development actors and on supporting the formulation and implementation of their strategies. The performance of the I.D.O. Brazil focuses on the following areas:
• Preparation and coordination of international cooperation projects;
• Organizational consultancy and training for business entities;
• Preparation and coordination of local economic development projects;
• Consulting and moderation in the areas of strategic planning and budgeting;
• Consultancy for dialogue between public authorities and private initiative.
Over the years I have provided consultancy services in more than 20 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America and I work in German, Portuguese, English and Spanish speaking countries.
MASARU TAKAYAMA
Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies
Japan
Experienced founding chairperson with a demonstrated history of working in the ecotourism, sustainable travel & tourism industry. Strong business and network development professional skilled in Environmental and Community-benefit Awareness, Sustainable Tourism, Environmental Policy, Adventure Travel, and Sustainable Development Goals.
ALEXIA PANAGIOTOPOULOU
Athens Development and Destination Management Agency
Greece
Alexia Panagiotopoulou specialises in destination management and marketing strategies. Her professional experience includes the strategic planning for the Athens Development & Destination Management Agency as Head of Strategy, setting up the Mythical Peloponnese DMO as Head of Destination Marketing, and managing the first Convention Bureau in Greece as MICE Director at the City of Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. Her CV includes building communication strategies in Brussels, and communication strategies at the Botsis Foundation of Journalism in Athens. She holds a Law degree and a Masters in EU & International law. She speaks Greek, English, French and Spanish.
BEV THORNTON
Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance
Canada
Bev Thornton is the Executive Director of Alberta SouthWest Regional Economic Development Alliance, a partnership of 15 rural municipalities. She has worked with this group since its inception 2002 and is proud of the community commitment to creating opportunities in the key economic sectors in the southwest region: agriculture, renewable energy, clean technology, and tourism.Alberta SouthWest is a founding partner of the Crown of the Continent Geotourism Council a transboundary partnership between Alberta and British Columbia, in Canada, and Montana USA, in collaboration with National Geographic. Bev has served as the Chair since 2007.Regional economic development is definitely a team sport!
Alberta South West has received over 30 provincial, national, and international awards for innovation and excellence, which is a testament to the commitment and creativity of community partners.Bev has proudly worked with the partnership of communities to explore opportunities in sustainable business
development and Alberta SouthWest Crown of the Continent named ITB Berlin “2020 Top 3 Best of the Americas” and Green Destinations “Top 100 Global Sustainable Destinations” in 2020, 2019, 2018.
In 2017 Bev became the first Canadian to receive the “International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Jeffrey A. Finkle Award for Organizational Leadership”.
In 2018 Alberta SouthWest achieved recognition as the first Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) in Western Canada, and the third of only four in the nation. Bev is a Past President of Economic Developers Alberta (EDA), and 2013 “Economic Developer of the Year ”.Bev has grown up in rural Canada, has a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and began her career as a high school teacher. She has experience as an elected official, and 25 years with provincial government as career consultant, contract manager and regional director for economic development.
She is an enthusiastic cheerleader for regional collaboration and is excited about the opportunities and potential in rural communities.
SDGs 3 – GOOD HEALTH & WELL-BEING is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– GD Rapid Assessment Tool
– Green Destinations Assessment (Online & Onsite option)
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Destination-level Benchmarking Report
– Destination Sustainability Assessment
– Green City Tool
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
– Public Sustainability Report
START Toolkit C
Climate Reset
– START Greening Your City Toolkit
SDGs 5 – GENDER EQUALITY is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Public Sustainability Report
SDGs 4 – QUALITY EDUCATION is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Green City Tool
SDGs 6 – CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Destination-level Benchmarking Report
– Green City Tool
START Toolkit D
Destination Sustainability Assessments
We provide assessments of the following subjects:
– Water use sustainability
– Water availability & consumption
– Wastewater treatment
– Water quality and algal blooms
SDGs 7 – AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Destination-level Benchmarking Report
– Green City Tool
SDGs 8 – DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Country-level Benchmarking Report
SDGs 9 – INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
SDGs 10 – REDUCED INEQUALITIES is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
SDGs 11 – SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– GD Rapid Assessment Tool
– Green Destinations Assessment (Online & Onsite option)
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Destination-level Benchmarking Report
– Green City Tool
– Destination Sustainability Dashboard
– Public Sustainability Report
– Destination Traveller Dashboard
START Toolkit C
Climate Reset
– Climate Risk Assessment
SDGs 12 – RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
– GD Rapid Assessment Tool
– Green Destinations Assessment (Online & Onsite option)
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Public Sustainability Report
SDGs 13 – CLIMATE ACTION is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Green City Tool
START Toolkit C
Climate Reset
– Climate Risk Assessment
– START Greening Your City toolkit
– Destination Carbon Footprint Calculator
– Living biomass monitor – for capturing CO2
– Climate Adaptation Planning
START Toolkit D
Destination Sustainability Assessments
We provide assessments of the following subjects:
– Risk of deforestation in natural areas
– Monitoring drought and fires in preservation areas
SDGs 14 – LIFE BELOW WATER is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Green City Tool
START Toolkit C
Climate Reset
– Risk of land degradation vs. new opportunities
– START Greening Your City toolkit
START Toolkit D
Destination Sustainability Assessments
We provide assessments of the following subjects:
– Risk of deforestation in natural areas
– Risk of biodiversity loss
– Invasive alien species
– Monitoring drought and fires in preservation areas
SDGs 15 – LIFE ON LAND is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Green City Tool
START Toolkit C
Climate Reset
– Risk of land degradation vs. new opportunities
– START Greening Your City toolkit
START Toolkit D
Destination Sustainability Assessments
We provide assessments of the following subjects:
– Risk of deforestation in natural areas
– Risk of biodiversity loss
– Invasive alien species
– Monitoring drought and fires in preservation areas
SDGs 16 – PEACE AND JUSTICE is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit A
GD Interactive Assessments
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Country-level Benchmarking Report
SDGs 17 – PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS is related to our following tools kit, you can learn more about each of them by clicking on the title:
START Toolkit B
Benchmarking & Reporting
– Country-level Benchmarking Report
– Green City Tool
START Toolkit E
Exchange, Education & Learning
– Business Sector Scans on Sustainability
– Training Course “Sustainable Tourism Destination Management”
– Top 100: Sharing Your Good Practice
– GD Global Leaders Program
– Reset and Recovery for Destinations
– Visionary “glocal” bridge workshop – by Riviera Maya Sostenible
BEN ARTUP
Bundaberg Regional Council
Australia
Ben Artup is Executive Director Strategic Projects and Economic Development at Bundaberg Regional Council. He’s a qualified economist holding an Honours degree in economics from Western Sydney University. His early career involved roles teaching economics and as a senior researcher focused on the macroeconomy, regional innovation, and urban economics. He has held roles in local economic development and corporate advisory. Before joining Bundaberg Regional Council he was a Director with Deloitte Access Economics where he consulted to some of Australia’s largest corporations and institutions. Ben now lives in Bundaberg and is interested in building Australia’s best regional community including a focus on sustainability.
GREG BAKUNZI
Red Rocks Initiatives for sustainable development
Rwanda
Over the past years, I have gained experience working as a Rwandan tour organizer and guide for various international tour operators. My professionalism and reliability, along with my exceptional understanding of the needs and desires of international visitors, have gained me renown among clients and respect among the members of local communities. I am a co-founder and president of the Ruhengeri Community Eco-Tourism Association, a local association of people collaborating to enhance tourism development in Rwanda. I rely on a network of contacts in the area, all of whom are happy to take part in my project. With my experience, know-how and contacts, am able to l make your bespoke visitor experience memorable, while also benefiting the locals as much as possible. I work with an experienced and highly motivated local staff team responsible for client contacts, as well as tour development and facilitation. I achieved great honor and milestone when it was awarded a certificate for being a TOP 100 mid-sized company for the year 2012/2013. The certificate was presented by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Business Excellence Awards.My philanthropic efforts have also not gone unnoticed. I molded Red Rocks Rwanda to be community-based organizations, where the local community can gain from tourism activities, and in the process, have a sustainable income. Red Rocks brings under-served communities into the tourism supply chain and supports community development projects that help people help themselves through our initiatives (http://redrocksinitiative.org/).
MATEJA HRVATIN KOZLOVIC
Istrian Breakfast – a Local Experience
Slovenia
Hello, my name is Mateja Hrvatin Kozlovic. I am an entrepreneur and president of a tourism cooperative located in Slovenia. I have a master in tourism and an MBA in international business. I believe in innovation, building bridges and breaking walls. I developed several tourist product based on sustainable tourism. We get the Travelife certification and we are part of Slovene green scheme. Please check my linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mateja-hrvatin-kozlovic/
CHLOE KING
Solimar International
USA
Chloe King is a PADI Divemaster and avid ocean advocate, leading marine research projects in Indonesia and Timor-Leste as a Boren Scholar, Projects for Peace Fellow, and Fulbright Scholar. Integrating tools from political ecology, behavioral economics, and marine science, her research adopts interdisciplinary research methods to interrogate the complex relationships between the marine environment and human society. As a 2019-20 Fulbright Scholar, she spent a year in Wakatobi National Park in Indonesia analyzing how tourism can help improve the resilience and adaptive capacity of local ecosystems and communities in response to crises like climate change and Covid-19. As a Project Manager for Solimar International, Chloe has facilitated virtual training and capacity-building programs for over a dozen Destination Management Organizations in Georgia, Armenia, and Timor-Leste. Her expertise in marine conservation has enabled her to lead projects such as the Sustainable Islands Platform, facilitating a global network of island innovators working to drive invention in areas of climate resilience, blue economy, and circular economy. Chloe holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and a Masters of Science in Marine Systems and Policies from the University of Edinburgh. She is a current student at the University of Cambridge, studying to obtain a Masters of Philosophy in Conservation Leadership as a Marshall Scholar. Her writing has featured in numerous outlets including Current Issues in Tourism, Responsible Statecraft, The World Today, The Diplomat, Verge Magazine, and The Conversation, among others.
YING-CHUN LIN
Sun Moon Lake NSA
Taiwan
Planning Section Chief. I have served in the Sun Moon Lake NSA for more than 10 years, and my main job is to plan the resources that the destination has, formulate an overall development plan, and work hard towards the goal of sustainability.
LESTER CHAN
Sentosa Development Corporation
Singapore
Mr. Lester Chan is currently Senior Assistant Director, Sustainability and Planning in SDC. His portfolio includes driving decarbonisation as well as community engagement. He has initiated the decarbonisation roadmap for the Sentosa island business ecosystem and curated a network of businesses committed to carbon neutrality. He also drives the engagement of stakeholders and the wider community to advocate sustainability on and beyond Sentosa.
MASA KLEMENCIC
Slovenian Tourist Board
Slovenia
Maša Klemenčič is an xperienced project manager with a demonstrated history of working in the leisure and travel & tourism industry. Skilled in event management, tourism and particularly in sustainable development of tourism. With a Master’s degree focused in Environmental Science and GIS from Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut de Géographie Alpine, environmental aspects of tourism and global trends in this area are of particular interest to her.
WILLEM NIEMEIJER
Cardamom Tented Camp
Cambodia
Passion for travel has been in Willem’s blood since a young age. His professional career in the travel industry started at a student travel organization in the 1980s. He moved to Thailand in 1987 and founded Khiri Travel in 1993. The DMC now operates in eight countries with 18 offices, and has a dedicated charity, Khiri Reach. Willem founded YAANA Ventures in 2016 to create and grow a portfolio of sustainable hospitality brands in Asia. Today, besides Khiri Travel, YAANA Ventures oversees nature lodges in Thailand and Cambodia; GROUND Asia specialises in service learning projects for schools and universities; Naruna Retreats, provides personal leadership development; and HMP Master, is a new cloud-based solution for boutique hotel management. Luxury tented camp development company Visama Lodges and hospitality management company Orient & Occident Company are focused on the sustainable hospitality sector. Willem resides in Bangkok with his family and is fluent in Dutch, English and Thai.
HANNIEL ALMASCO
Ten Knots Group / El Nido, Palawan
Philippines
Hanniel is the Senior Environmental Officer for Ayala Land’s El Nido Resorts. She authored From Hooks to Books – the company’s winning entry to the prestigious 2018 HICAP Positive Community Impact award and BBC Earth’s first Philippine-made docu-mercial. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, she was appointed to a dual role of also being Hygiene and Safety Manager for the Resorts Group. She spearheaded the development and implementation of the longest running Travel Bubble program in the Philippines anchored on the pillars of the Be G.R.E.E.N, Be Clean Enhanced Care initiative.
MARIA ATHANASOPOULOU
Top Tourism Non Profit Company
Greece
Maria Athanasopoulou is the founder of the tourism marketing company Respond On Demand. She is also the founder of the non-profit urban company Top Tourism. She serves as the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the World Food Travel Association and she is also a Master Culinary Travel Professional. She serves as an ambassador of the World Gourmet Society in Greece and Cyprus, and she also serves as an ambassador of Green Destinations. She has given seminars for tourism professionals, as well as many speeches and presentations on tourism issues, in events in Greece and abroad. She is also a Sustainable Tourism marketing expert.
BARBARA SCHOTT
Tierranjani Africa Ltd.
Kenya
I have served in the Sun Moon Lake NSA for more than 10 years, and my main job is to plan the resources that the destination has, formulate an overall development plan, and work hard towards the goal of sustainability.
ERI SUZUKI
Niseko Town Hall
Japan
We understand that this presentation is for the tourism professionals and I am not qualified as I have just started working in commerce and tourism division in Niseko town but if you allow us, it would be our great hounor to present Niseko town’s practices that have been passed on for years and years, on behalf of the people who went before us.
At the moment, we don’t have specific tools linked to this SDG but feel free to take a look at the other options.
Albania, Argentina, Armenia, American Samoa, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Brazil, Botswana, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, St. Lucia, Moldova, Maldives, Mexico, Marshall Islands, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Mauritius, Malaysia, Namibia, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia,South Africa, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu.
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Dem. Rep., Congo, Rep., Comoros, Cabo Verde, Dem. People’s Rep. Korea, Djibouti, Egypt Arab Rep., El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Micronesia, Fed. Sts., Ghana, Guinea, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Haiti, Indonesia, India, Iran, Islamic Rep., Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic. Cambodia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Liberia, Sri Lanka, Lesotho, Morocco, Madagascar, Mali, Myanmar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Mauritania, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tanzania, Togo, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Vanuatu, Yemen, Rep., West Bank and Gaza, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Terms and Conditions
Online voting terms and conditions and privacy notice
1. You can take part in GD Story Award – People’s Choice vote by accessing https://greendestinations.org/peoples-choice-award/
You will find the selection of the 2020 Top 100 Destinations, and can vote by electronically selecting the film you wish to vote for.
2. Voting will open at 12:00 CET on Monday 8th February, 2021, and will close at 14:00 CET Wednesday 3dr March, 2021 . Any votes registered outside the announced voting times will not count.
3. The number of times you can vote is restricted to one vote per person.
4. The GD Story Award – People’s Choice will be announced at the Green Destinations Story Awards ceremony (online) on 12 March 2021.
5. Green Destinations reserves the right to disqualify entries or suspend voting if it has reasonable grounds to suspect that fraudulent voting has occurred or if it considers there has been any attempt to rig the voting.
6. If, for any reason, the online voting system fails, the vote may be suspended or a contingency plan may be actioned.
7. Green Destinations reserves the right to change, cancel or suspend this vote at any time.
Privacy Notice
Your trust is very important to us. Green Destinations is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information.
It is important that you read this notice so that you are aware of how and why we are using such information. This privacy notice describes how we collect and use personal information about you during and after your relationship with us, in accordance with data protection law.
What will we collect and how we use it?
Green Destinations is the data controller of your information that is collected. Your personal data will only be used for sending you information related to the 2021 Green Destinations Story Awards Ceremony and the winner of the People’s Choice category.
Retaining your information
Green Destinations will retain your personal data for until one week after the Awards ceremony. More details here https://greendestinations.org/events/gd-story-awards-itb/
Sharing your information
Your personal data will not be shared with any additional third parties outside Green Destinations.
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.
During high school and later studying graphical design, Ognjen started his career on Radio Brod and later on Croatian Televison. During his more than 20 years on Croatian Television, Ognjen started from journalist position, through being editor and presenter of Prisma, Croatia today and Good morning Croatia where he is today journalist, editor, videojournalist and program leader. In his spare time Ognjen likes to travel around globe, bicycle through Croatia, cook and present food and read.
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.
Buildings from 17th to 19th century today house hotels, boutiques and restaurants. The village, located in beautiful river valley, is also home to nearly 600 people that form an active community committed to sustainable development.
The village got an award as the best domestic travel destination 2016 and received European Commission’s Culture EDEN in Finland award 2018.
Thierry is Dutch from Curacao in the Dutch Antilles. He came to volunteer in refugee centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) during the conflict in the ’90. Fast forward twenty five+ years, and Thierry decided to make Bosnia his home and together with friends set up Green Visions. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first ecotourism and outdoor adventure business. Since 2000 he has been instrumental in shaping responsible tourism in the highland communities in BiH and the Western Balkan region. Thierry has been actively involved in the creation of the Via Dinarica long-distance trail, connecting 8 Countries in the Western Balkans.
Mrs. Santos de Cárdenas is a pioneer advocate specializing in sustainable tourism development and stewardship initiatives with community social responsibility at grassroots application. She has been a staunch innovator, keynote speaker and resource person in learning and capacity building workshops for sustainable tourism to include Ecotourism, Community-based and Agri-Tourism promotion. She was a consultant and adviser for Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Philippines and a founding board member of the Asian Ecotourism Network.
Mrs. Santos de Cárdenas will join us as a keynote speaker with her presentation: The Southeast Asian Experience (Oct 9, Zagreb 10:00am)
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.
Alpine Pearls joins together over 20 member villages and supports its member destinations by improving and expanding environmentally friendly tourist offers based on innovative sustainable mobility solutions. Our speaker Tomaž Rogelj used to be in the finance industry in Austria, Germany, Slovenia and Switzerland. In recent years his career focused on tourism and international organizations. As a director of Bled Tourist Board he strives to develop tourism in a sustainable way and to improve the quality of services.
Mr. Rogelj will join us with his presentation: Alpine Pearls E-Tour – 1.000 miles from Cogne (Italy) to Bled (Slovenia) with electric cars as a part of our panel sessions on the theme: Facing the Carbon and Climate challenge is Tourism, incl. soft mobility.
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.
Asociatia Tinutul Zimbrului is the DMO which develops the area which includes the Romsilva – Natural Park Vanatori Neamt. In this way is working with the park administration, local community, stakeholders with an impact in the tourism area. And is looking for opportunities which will help the region to grow, but also to keep the authenticity of the area, including the nature.
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.
Green Destinations in Finland (www.greendestinations.fi) represents Green Destinations scheme primarily in Finland and collaborates with organizations in neighboring countries (Nordic countries and the Baltic States) as well as in the Russian federation. The main office is located in Helsinki at the premises of Silvacultura ltd. (www.silvacultura.com), which is the partner of GD in Finland. GD Finland works closely with Ecoconsult network in Finland (www.ecoconsult.fi) and promotes fair trade and appropriate financing sources for sustainable investments, strengthens sustainable local, regional and rural development in all of its activities and works closely in and with international networks on eco-tourism such as (www.ecotrans.de) and with selected certification schemes regarding forests, organic food, water resources and fisheries. GD in Finland is actively working with schemes and tools regarding climate change with the public and private sectors and NGOs internationally and in Finland. GD in Finland provides also auditing and evaluation services for sustainable development and tourism.
Mr. Alhojärvi will be the chair of the first panel dedicated to Communities & Culture. He will also present Success stories of Fiskars Village and GD in Finland together with Kari Selkälä, the Director of Fiskars Village.
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.
Professional in Communications, Branding and Marketing for 25 years, passionate about sustainability and the innovative sustainable management of Riviera Maya from marketing to international networking. Leader and promoter of the Destination Certification process for Playa del Carmen, and ultimately, Co-founder of Mexico Sostenible.
Mrs. Barreal will join us as a keynote speaker with her presentation: The Latinamerica Experience. (Oct 9, Zagreb, 11:00am)
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.
His fields of expertise include strategic and operational advisory in tourism and hospitality sector, including but not limited to strategies and master planning, market expansion strategies, hotel and resort development, transactional market advisory, management contracts negotiations, project financing, tourism marketing and branding planning, product development.
This year, the main theme is ‘Green Solutions for Destinations’.
Destinations and businesses all over the world were invited to submit their best practice stories from these subjects, and the best were chosen to present their cases. Attendees to the event will be able to join the live panels in any of the topics:
This theme will focus on overtourism and on how some destinations managed to face this issue, preparing a better future for all stakeholders involved.
Here, innovative projects will be presented regarding the creation of new green offer, either to attract other types of travellers or to deconcentrate the tourism activity in a specific place.
This theme will present various stories related to heritage, both built and intangible, and also about the influence that tourism has in some local communities.
Nature and Biodiversity will be the main topics of this theme, where protection of marine life is a hot sub-topic, but other aspects related to the fauna and flora are also presented.
On this panel, there will be a discussion on strategies on how to attract better travelers, more responsible and conscious with the impact they have on a destination, as well as there will be presented certain tools to promote a sustainable offer.
In this theme, several solutions will be presented to deal with the problem of carbon emissions and climate change. Soft mobility is one of the weapons utilized to solve this scourge.
This theme will be related to water and waste management, focusing on how to reduce the use of plastics. Examples of how to reduce plastics will be shown in different situations. This theme also includes a workshop on involving stakeholders for a circular economy.
Maribor – Pohorje Tourist Board is a Destination Management Organisation for Maribor, Slovenia. Karmen Razlag is Development and Project adviser in this organization. She is an expert in the development of the tourism products in the field of Sports and Recreation for Maribor-Pohorje tourist destination, specializing in hiking & biking products. She has good organisational and leadership skills gained through previous working experiences and in this organisation as a project leader. She is a local tour guide for the city of Maribor and Mountain biking guide. She is now head of marketing and promotion for Drava Bike Route.
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.
Karin Nilsson has a broad experience in the hospitality industry. She has worked with both incoming and outgoing tourism. Understanding small companies’ everyday lives in development processes comes from her own experience in commercial businesses. Karin also worked for several years as a travel producer but has for many years, chosen to focus on developing tourism in Sweden. She has a strong interest in the development of sustainable attractive places and how to create a sustainable place brand. Her interest in nature and outdoor activities gives a genuine commitment to the development of tourism in sensitive natural environments.
I am working in the tourism sector for 15 years. In Ljubljana Tourism I work in the tourism development sector as regional destination organization coordinator of Central Slovenia region. I am coordinating 25 municipalities around Ljubljana. We are developing and promoting tourism together to disperse Ljubljana’s visitors around the city. I am also the green coordinator of destination Ljubljana in Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism as we as GDS-Index.
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.
Mr. Delaunay Belleville has kickstarted or developed citizen mobilizations around waste issues. He created the anti-food-waste movement Disco Soupe that generated thousands of community buffets cooked out of food leftovers worldwide. Antoine works for Future of Waste a multi-stakeholder community that gather citizens, social entrepreneurs and organizations to find, support and create projects and solutions to better manage and transform waste. In 2018, Future of Waste community worked on waste in the event and tourism industry and launched the toolbox: tackling waste in tourism and events (https://futureofwaste.makesense.org/toolbox/).
Mr. Delaunay will host a workshop Involving stakeholders for circular economy as a part of the Water & Waste management theme, where he will present his Toolbox for tourism program.
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. Kordić will join us with her presentation: Zlarin – Croatia’s first Plastic Free Island as a part of our panel sessions on Water and Waste Management.
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.
Mrs. Marković Vukadin will join us with her presentation Measuring tourism sustainability in practice, example of CroatiaInvolving stakeholders for circular economy
Mrs. Estaún has a degree in Environmental Sciences from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a full member of the Menorquin Institute of Studies. She has developed her entire professional career on the island of Menorca, developing different jobs most linked to the Menorca Island Council.
It highlights her work first as a communication manager for the LIFE project “Conservation of areas with threatened flora on the island of Menorca” and later as director of the LIFE BASSES and LIFE + RENEIX projects. Since 2015 she develops her professional activity as the Director of the Menorca Biosphere Reserve Agency.
Mrs. Estaún will join us with her panel presentation: Menorca Biosphere Reserve: The Origin of an Illusion as a part of our Tourism to support nature and biodiversity panel sessions.
Cristina Del Favero and Loris Bondio are co-founders of CRIS Technologies.
Cristina is the designer of IamaGoodTraveller. Her interest is in understanding the Sustainability issue, with a focus on Tourism. With over 10 years experience as a Digital Marketing consultant, she is committed to the design of solutions that will help Travellers take responsibility for their actions and have a positive impact. Loris has owned and/or held senior positions with firms involved in the architecture of large-scale software applications at the global level. He continues to speak at international conferences on the practical application of the most recent technologies.
They will join us with their presentation: IamaGoodTraveller’s Community of Responsible Travellers as a part of our Attracting the Green Traveller panel session.
Mrs. Tepšić is the Deputy Mayor City of Dubrovnik, as well as honorary consul to the Kingdom of Spain since 2014. She is a professor of the Spanish language, literature and Comparative literature and has more than 20 years of experience in communication, media and marketing. In the City of Dubrovnik, Mrs. Tepšić is responsible for tourism, sustainability and culture. During her work in past two years, the city has been developing an strategic, long term project called “Respect the City”. She has participated in many congresses worldwide where she presented this project, which deals with innovative integrated development and focuses on the sustainable development of tourism in the city. She showed how the City administration faced with the problem of overcrowding, ensuring a better distribution of visitors and suppressing the negative effects of over-tourism. This Project was recognized as an example of good practice in destination management at the World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) in Krakow.
Mrs. Tepšić will join us with her presentation: Respect the City project. (Oct 9, Zagreb, 11:55)
Anne de Jong is a Dutch sustainability consultant and passionate change maker and fascinated by the tourism industry. She is focused on contributing to a futureproof tourism industry that has a positive impact on people, animals and the environment. She is crazy about Africa and fervent traveller.
From her own consultancy company Fair Sayari (= Fair Planet) she supports tour operators and destinations through certification schemes such as Travelife & Green Destinations to develop sustainably and coaches them to become greener and more responsible. Thereby she also writes blogs to make sustainability easier, accessible and more fun.
Mrs. de Jong will join us with the presentation Community-development through tourism in before-isolated Karamoja region in Northern Uganda, as a part of the Tourism to support local communities, culture & tradition.
Mr. Palme is founder and managing director of COMPASS, a tourism consultancy and marketing agency, based in Cologne, Germany.
He supports DMOs in Germany, Europe and Africa in the fields of sustainable destination development, strategic marketing, capacity building and digital transformation.
COMPASS represents Green Destinations in Germany.
Mr. Palme will join us with his presentation: Sustainable product development and marketing in German Nature Parks – building networks for success, as a part of our panel sessions in the theme Spreading tourism over space and time: managing hotspots and developing new ‘green destinations’
Rashid is the managing director of Colors of Zanzibar tours and safari company based in Zanzibar Tanzania, a DMC which provide transfers, accommodations,
tours and safari. Colors of Zanzibar is the only Travelife Certified Sustainable tour company in Tanzania.
He is also the Green Destinations Ambassador and one the GD Global Leaders. Rashid has been in the 4 years CBI Tourism promotion Program and his company has grown from one man show to 10 employees within 3 years.
Rashid will join us with his presentation: The case of the Zesty Zanzibar Tour as a part of our Tourism to support culture and communities panel sessions.
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.
Ms. Chen will join us with her presentation: Fulong Coastal area, an historical tunnel transforming to a bike lane as a part of our Tourism to Support Culture and Communities panel sessions.
Drejc Kokošar is active in heritage and tourism development in Idrija, former mining town, enlisted on UNESCO World Heritage List for its world-famous mercury mine. After few years of working as a tourist guide, he started to organize modern, sustainable tours in local area at Hudournik Association, which connects heritage and countryside of Idrija local region. He was part of the team, that won European Social Innovation Competition 2018 (Heritage Lab – heritage jobs incubator). Apart from tourist guiding he is active in newly-formed Institute for Heritage Innovations ID20 and at culinary festival of Idrija Žlikrofi (dish with protected geographical status).
Mr. Kokošar will join us with his presentation Sustainable gastronomy trips in UNESCO Geopark Idrija – a new opportunity for local communities as a part of the Tourism to support local communities, culture & tradition panel sessions.
The Klimapatenschaft Tourismus GmbH supports tourist businesses such as destinations, hotels, holiday apartments and tour operators in developing and implementing sustainable strategies and practical projects. The objective is the establishment of sustainable tourism by means of feasible and innovative concepts.
After having finished her Master studies in International Business and Sustainability at the University of Hamburg, Dominika Mazurkiewicz gained her job experience in a tourism consultancy in Japan, where she supported a region in a sustainability certification process. At Klimapatenschaft Tourismus GmbH she is responsible for analysis and assessment of destinations’ sustainability as well as the development of sustainability strategies.
Mazurkiewicz will join us with her presentation: Climate neutral guest arrivals and departures as part of our Facing the carbon & climate challenge in tourism, incl. soft mobility panel sessions.
Sandra Maria Neiva Fernandes has a MSC in Management and Planning in Tourism from the University of Aveiro. Since 2003 she works at Inter-municipal Community of Alto Minho, in the Planning department, and she is the Sustainability Coordinator responsible for the recognition of Alto Minho as a 2018 Top 100 Sustainable Destination and as a QualityCoast Platinum destination (2019). She is also a Tourism PhD student in the University of Aveiro, and member of the research unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies. Her research fields are tourism planning, networks, sustainability, regional development, governance, innovation, tourism impacts.
Mrs. Neiva Fernandes will join us with her presentation: ECST in protected areas, a participatory methodology for planning a more sustainable nature tourism model as a part of our Spreading tourism over space and time: managing hotspots and developing new ‘green destinations’ panel sessions.
Mrs. Kučić graduated from the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business with a degree in Management, and earned a Master of Economics degree. She has been building up work experience since her early days by working in a family business in the field of nautical tourism in the area of the Town of Mali Lošinj. In 2008, she became a member of the Town Government of the Town of Mali Lošinj with special responsibility for culture and social activities. At the 2009 local elections, she was elected Deputy Mayor and Deputy President of the Mali Lošinj Tourist Board. She held both positions until 2016, when, after the long-time mayor, Gari Cappelli, was appointed Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia, she assumed the position of Mayor and the President of the Tourist Board. In her work, she places emphasis on quality, sustainability, planning and human resource development. She was elected Mayor in local elections in May 2017.
Mrs. Kučić will welcome attendees at the opening of Day 2, Mali Lošinj.
The TMU Tourism Marketing Uckermark is the destination management organisation of the Uckermark, located 80 km northeast of Berlin. Almost ten years ago TMU started to develop and promote climate-friendly tourism offers, local products and nature-based activities together with local suppliers and partners. Silke Rumpelt holds a master’s degree in nature conservation and sustainable tourism and is in charge of sustainable tourism development and management at TMU.
Mrs. Rumpelt will present via video her presentation: Partner initiative in Uckermark’s National Natural Landscapes as a part of our Spreading tourism over space and time: managing hotspots and developing new ‘green destinations’ panel sessions.
Mr. Capellà is consultant in public management of tourism and local development. He has collaborated in the management and regeneration of various coastal, mountain and inland destinations, in the direction of tourism programs related to protected areas, active tourism and heritage enhancement. Since 1981, he is advisor to the Tourism Department of the municipality of Torroella de Montgrí-L’Estartit. In the last 30 years this mature seaside resort has committed to regeneration based on a model of urban planning and the enhancement of cultural and natural heritage, following sustainable and responsible tourism schemes.
Mr. Capellà will join us with his presentation: Overtourism/conservation and local development in Medes Islands MR as a part of our Spreading tourism over space and time: managing hotspots and developing new ‘green destinations’ panel sessions.
Mr. Yoang-Goang Lin is the Planning Section Chief of Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration, Taiwan. As an ordinary person, he promotes Taiwan’s natural and cultural beauty through a camera lens. As a public policies executer, he has been implemented important conservation policies for over 15 years. In 2013, he began working with the SML Scenic Area Administration to promote indigenous community tourism, ecotourism and low carbon travel and have come to identify with the spirit of sustainable tourism. Moreover, he has brought the concepts of sustainable tourism to Sun Moon Lake. Through the GGDD platform, he hopes to share our experience.
Mr. Yoang-Goang Lin will join us with his presentation How to benefit from the dramatic increase of tourists instead, the case of Sun Moon Lake. as a part of our Facing the carbon & climate challenge in tourism, incl. soft mobility panel sessions.
Mrs. Ballbé is an independent professional with experience in the management of tourism and service companies. Since 2008, co-founder of DCB Tourism and Local Development www.decaba.com whose activities are based on the application of policies that encourage a more sustainable and responsible tourism through cooperation, support to the organizations’ technical teams and the presentation of practical, understandable and innovating solutions.
Mrs. Ballbé will join us with her presentation: Soft mobility, a challenge in the rural areas of Catalan Pyrenees: El Cinquè Llac and GPS Tourism network. as a [art of our panel sessions on the theme Spreading tourism over space and time: managing hotspots and developing new ‘green destinations’
GGDD19 Conference Prices |
Where to register? | |
1-day participation in Zagreb, Oct 9 |
€ 80 *** |
Ticket Shop |
2-day participation in Mali Lošinj, Oct 10-11no transfers from/to Zagreb |
€ 80 *** |
Ticket Shop |
2-day participation in Mali Lošinj, Oct 10-11incl. 2 transfers from/to Zagreb |
€ 100 *** |
Ticket Shop |
***) Conference fees can be waived to Green Destinations, Top 100 representatives or businesses that submit a Good Practice Story. The number of waivers is limited to 80. Priority will be given to GD Global Leaders, GD representatives, and GD Partners as well as to Top 100 destinations:
Special Activities and transfers |
|
Where to register? |
Transfer Zagreb Airport – City Centre(one way, Oct 7-9) |
€ 25 |
Ticket Shop |
Green Destinations Partners Day, Oct 8 |
€ 30 * |
Online form |
Global Leaders Dinner meeting, Oct 8 |
€ 60** |
Online form |
Top 100 & GD Awards Ceremony, Oct 10 |
€ 0 **** |
Online form
|
Green Destinations Gala Dinner, Oct 10 |
€ 45 **** |
|
Visit to Plitvice Lakes NP, Oct 12 |
€ 20 |
Ticket Shop |
*) Only for registered Green Destinations Representatives, Partners and auditors.
**) Only for Green Destinations Global Leaders, Representatives and selected Partners. Free for Global Leaders representing GL Network Members.
****) Limited capacity, invitation only. One representative of each 2019 Top 100 Destination is invited free of charge.
Mallory Morgan is the National Coral Reef Management Fellow at the Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans. Mallory’s work is focused on reducing impacts of tourism on Guam’s coral reefs. From 2018-2020, Mallory designed and implemented training programs and targeted outreach campaigns to leverage participation of hotels and marine tour operators in local coral reef conservation on Guam. Mallory holds a Masters degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego. She previously worked in San Diego, Fiji, Costa Rica, Bali, the Bahamas, and her native state of Florida.
Mrs. Morgan will join us with her presentation: Tourism for Tasi (Ocean): Leveraging Stakeholders for the Benefit of Nature and Business as a part of our Nature and Biodiversity panels.
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 Red Rocks Rwanda initiatives, of community-based organizations, where local community can gain from tourism activities, and in the process, have a sustainable income. Red Rocks brings under-served communities into the tourism supply chain and supports community development projects that help people help themselves through their initiatives. He is also a Rwandan tour organizer and guide for various international tour operators.
Mr. Bankuzi will join us with his presentation: Red Rocks Initiatives For Sustainable Development as a part of the Tourism to support local communities, culture & tradition panels.
Romana Purkart is the Head of the Public Relations Service in Bled and the Green coordinator of Bled. She is the trustee of the Zelena shema slovenskega turizma ( The Green Scheme) certificate and simultaneously responsible for domestic public relations and especially relations with the local community. For the last few years, ever since the number of tourist beds exceeded the number of local residents, she has been dealing especially with the presentation of the positive aspects of tourism and with the connection of locals and visitors. Her activities involve cooperation with all local institutions and representatives of the social and political life in the municipality.
Mrs. Purkart will join us with her presentation: Waste reduction matters just as much as waste separation! as part of our Waste Management panel.
Jana Apih: managing institute Factory of sustainable tourism GoodPlace responsible for development of the national certificate programme Slovenia Green. In year 2016 established in partnership a travel agency Visit GoodPlace focusing on green and active travel. www.goodplace.si
Tina H. Zakonjšek: managing New Tourism Institute focusing mainly on tourism innovation and coordination of mechanisms intended to spur innovation in Slovenian tourism. Co-founder of GoodPlace.
Ms. Apih and Ms. Zakonjšek will join us with their presentation: Management of tourism flows in Slovenia as a part of our panel sessions on the theme Spreading tourism over space and time: managing hotspots and developing new ‘green destinations’
Janja Lazar works at Municipality of Ajdovščina as Tourism Development Expert Assistant. She has a master’s degree from heritage tourism from the University of Primorska. Administratively speaking, the Vipava Valley destination covers six municipalities, one of them The Municipality of Ajdovščina. The municipalities made a combined effort to create the Vipava Valley destination brand, with the Municipality of Ajdovščina acting as the coordinator in collaboration with the Regional Development Agency ROD.
Mrs. Lazar will join us with her presentation on: Vipava Valley Souvenirs as a part of our Tourism to support local communities, culture & tradition panels.
Mr. Ahmet Aras is the Mayor of Bodrum. He graduated from Turkish Military Academy as a system engineer. He successfully served in a variety of domestic and international missions with the Turkish Army. He’s been interested in tourism management in Bodrum more than six years. He is still a member of Bodrum Chamber of Commerce Professional Committee and Bodrum Hoteliers Association Steering Committee also President of Ortakent Yahşi Development Association. He has led a variety of festivals, projects, and organizations in cooperating with both public and private sectors for development and promotion of Bodrum.
Mr. Aras will join us with his presentation: Improving public access to coastal beaches, The effect of municipality effort as a part of our panel sessions on the theme Tourism to Support Local Communities.
Emil Selse has been responsible for sustainability and sustainable product development at Region Östergötland, south Sweden, since 2016. This has been effective through trainings, inspirational workshops and networking for people from private and public sector in the region. Emil was responsible for the assessment and application of Östergötland for the Top100 Sustainable Destinations in 2018, and was also a presenter during GGDD in 2018. Emil would like to make other destinations and companies more sustainable, and has therefore certified in Sustainable Tourism through GSTC and participated in the Green Destinations Training for Partners this year.
Mr. Selse will join us with his presentation: Joint actions between private and public sector to reduce waste in Östergötland archipelago as a part of our panel sessions on the theme: WASTE MANAGEMENT
Seyma Bayazit is researcher and lecturer as Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Maritime, Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University. She has Ph.D thesis on cruise port identity for Bodrum. For more than 6 years, her research has been focused on maritime transportation engineering, marine and coastal tourism, cruise tourism, GIS applications for maritime, multicriteria decision making and blue voyage. Her objective is to develop new methods for the measurable identification and management of local identities of port destinations and implement practices to ensure the sustainability of local identities.
Mrs. Bayazit will join us with her presentation: Considering a common definition of identity for Bodrum as a part of the Tourism to support local communities, culture & tradition panels.
Researcher, policy analyst and project manager with 25 years of experience in sustainable development practices (tourism, community development, nature/environmental protection). Consultancy experience international projects in Croatia for US Aid, World Bank, UNDP, UNIDO/OECD and domestic corporate and NGO sectors. Adviser for governmental institutions, experienced faculty level lecturer and author of articles for science journals, position and policy papers, reviews, manuals and news articles. Research focus: cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, environmental indicators and valuation methodologies, carrying capacity and nature conservation.
Mr. Carić will join us with his presentation: The Croatia Experience (Oct 9, 11:30 am)
Paul Peeters, a Professor at the Centre for Sustainability, Tourism and Transport of Breda University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands, was educated as an aircraft engineer (BSc). He worked as a conceptual aircraft designer, as a wind-energy researcher, and as sustainable transport and scenarios researcher. At BUas, Paul started in 2002 and is involved in research on tourism and climate scenario’s, system dynamic modeling, serious gaming, tourism transport mode choice, tourism climate mitigation policies, and transport technological development.
Mr. Peeters will join us:
Albert Folch is the Deputy Director of the TarragonaTourist Board in Catalonia, for the Terres de l’Ebre Region. Associate professor of the University Master’s Degree in Management of Tourism Destinations, at Rovira i Virgili University in Tarragona. The Ebre land, located in the most southern part of Catalonia, is characterized by its high ecological value and low density in the touristic activity. In addition, the identity of its inhabitants, through their traditions, history, folklore and gastronomy, make Terres de l’Ebre an unique land. The river Ebre shapes this area declared Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Mr. Folch will join us with his presentation: The DestiMED Project in Terres de l’Ebre, Catalonia. at our panel session From the crowds to the Unknown – Creating Green Offer.
Prof.Dr. Tuncay Kuleli is the Director of Bodrum Maritime Vocational School, an academy that offers services in Yatch Master Education, Coastal Zone Management and Marine Tourism in Turkey. For more than 25 years, he has been conducting national-international scientific research and projects on; measurement of sustainability for coastal zone activities; climate change and sea level rise; coastal and marine engineering; coastal GIS; coastal and marine tourism; blue voyage. Their mission is to prepare and carry out scientific and social activities for sustainable tourism and sustainable development.
Prof.Dr. Tuncay Kuleli will join us with his presentation: The Blue Wave Project as part of the panel Tourism to support nature and biodiversity.
Ira Jakša is passionate about nature and eager to protect the environment. In 2005 established a sustainable travel agency offering sea kayak tours especially along the Croatian coast. In 2010 she opened a sea kayaking and sailing base in Kornati. The tours she offers are nature-based and with a strong educational background on the protected areas like national park Kornati. Being on the water and visiting remote parts of the islands she is facing the issues of the waste plastics daily, which lead her to open an Association in partnership with GoodPlace from Slovenia in order to search for solutions which could be implemented also in areas like Kornati.
Mrs. Jaska will join us with her presentation: Steps towards a plastic free coastline as a part of the Water & Waste management panels.
Hugo de Jong is a sustainable tourism professional with an MSc degree in Leisure, Tourism & Environment. He developed expertise in sustainable destination strategy development in South America, policy advice for recreation and tourism in The Netherlands and community-based tourism in Central America and South-East Asia. Prior to Green Destinations he worked in for the European Centre for Eco- and Agrotourism on the development of Travelife for Tour Operators. As co-founder of Green Destinations, Hugo manages the Award & Certification Programme and helped developing its online sustainability assessment and reporting platform.
Mr. de Jong will join us with his presentation: Certification programs to manage destinations in sustainable way as a part of the panel Strengheting Destination Management.
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.
Mr. Cappelli will join us at the Opening welcome.
Mr. Salman is a global sustainable tourism expert from the Netherlands, with an academic background in coastal ecology and environment. He established the QualityCoast Awards program(2007) and Green Destinations (2014), a non-profit organisation with expert partners in 30 countries. Together with partners he created the first Sustainable Destinations Global Top 100 competition, the Green Destinations Standard, and the online Green Destinations platform for sustainability and quality assessment, monitoring, reporting, and certification. The Top 100 Awards series is now the world’s largest programme recognizing and promoting destination sustainability, and the largest Awards programme of ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show. On a day-to-day basis, Mr. Salman is supporting destinations that are committed to sustainability.
Mr. Salman will join us:
Destinations and businesses are invited to propose presentations on Green Solutions for Destinations – Good practices in:
Conference presentations will be selected from Good practices submitted before the deadline.
All Good practices that meet our technical standards will be made available to Conference participants, if submitted by 1 September.
Neither this Call nor the Conference is restricted to Top 100 Destinations. However, Top 100 destinations (incl. those who successfully complete their ACP application by mid-July) who submit good practice cases by 1 August are eligible for the Sustainable Destination Awards at ITB Berlin 2020.
For selected delegates, the Conference registration fee can be discounted or waived, but the number of waivers is limited. Priority will be given to Top 100 destinations:
Also, businesses are encouraged to present Good practices related to priority themes. Depending on the entries by businesses, the ITB Berlin Awards Jury can decide to issue a special Green Destinations Business Award at ITB Berlin 2020.
