Seattle, WA - Representatives from 64 countries make up the 650-delegate, sold out 2013 Adventure Travel World Summit set for October 26-31 in Windhoek and Swakopmund, Namibia. Hosted by Namibia Tourism and organized by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the Summit features three intensive delegate exchange programs including: a new, all-day Peer-to-Peer Exchange; a business-to-business Marketplace connecting buyers with suppliers through pre-set appointments; and a new MediaConnect format, mixing media trends and tips from top travel journalists, bloggers and media experts with pitching opportunities.
The new and updated delegate exchange programs provide #2013ATWS delegates the rare opportunity to dive into critical adventure travel topics and trends with their peers. “Our community has an intense desire to share knowledge and improve the industry as a whole,” said Mr. Shannon Stowell, Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) President. “At the Summit we truly see our ‘tribe’ develop and the expertise each person brings to the event will be fully utilized during this year’s interactive programs.”
Complementing the ATTA’s intensive focus on peer-to-peer exchange are high-impact, inspirational plenary and concurrent session content, which draws from real-world, successful responsible adventure tourism development models. Featured presentations supporting the #2013ATWS Summit theme, “Imagine. Inspire. Invest”, include:
Pico Iyer, Author and Philosopher: Wonder Never Gets Old: Making Adventure Vital in a Newly Open World -- Pico will help the industry imagine new ways of making travel vital in the age of crowds, iPhones and BlackBerrys.
Zita Cobb, Visionary Investor and Social Entrepreneur: Requiem or Anthem -- Zita will explore the transformational power of the arts and business innovation and social entrepreneurship as tools for effective community development.
John Kasaona, Assistant Director for the Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC); Honorable Nandi Ndaitwah, Namibia Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Philip “Flip” Stander, Founder, Desert Lion Conservation; and Hannah Messerli, Private Sector Development/Tourism Africa Region (AFTFP), The World Bank Group: Namibia Synergy - A Study in Conservation, Community Development and Tourism -- These four speakers will convey how Namibia epitomizes the realization of imagination, inspiration and investment and share how the African nation has emerged as a world leader in balancing conservation, community development and tourism.
Anna Pollock, Visionary, Change Agent & Tourism Strategist, Founder of Conscious.Travel: Leading the Way - Adventure Travel -- Anna will illuminate the dynamic forces shaping tourism and demonstrate how adventure travel can become a transformative force for good.
Chief Ian Campbell, Hereditary Chief: Deepening Adventure Experiences -- Chief Campbell will share how applying indigenous knowledge to tour “product” development and delivery can deepen guests’ experiences and contribute to a more resilient tourism community.
Western Balkan and Colombia Luminaries: Destination Renaissance: Restorative Tourism -- Through personal stories of recovery, delegates will witness locals’ (re)shaping of tourism in the aftermath of turbulent times and learn how it is a daunting endeavor requiring exceptional vision, patience, resilience, (com)passion and serious conviction.
This makes the third year running that the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) marquee annual conference has sold out several months prior to the Summit. Tourism industry professionals interested in attending the Summit may register to be on an active wait list by completing the waitlist form.
Suggested Tweet: The #2013ATWS is officially SOLD OUT. Check here for waitlist, speaker and session information: http://ow.ly/n6sG4###
About Adventure Travel Trade Association
Established in 1990, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) serves nearly 900 members in 80 countries worldwide. Members predominantly include tour operators, tourism boards, travel advisors and accommodations with a vested interest in the sustainable development of adventure tourism. The ATTA delivers solutions and connections that propel members towards their business goals and the industry toward a responsible and profitable future. Through its regional AdventureConnect events and annual Adventure Travel World Summit trade conference, the ATTA excels in professional learning, networking and partnering services. With expertise in research, education, adventure travel industry news and promotion, members of the ATTA receive competitive opportunities that help establish them as leaders in adventure tourism. (www.adventuretravel.biz)
For more information:Adventure.Travel – the travelers’ guide to finding adventure featuring ATTA member operator tours
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