G Adventures and non-profit partner Planeterra staged the second annual GX World Community Tourism Summit in Jaipur, India, coinciding with World Tourism Day celebrations on 27 September 2024 with an inspiring speaker lineup and almost 500 global travel industry members in attendance.
The GX India 2024 World Community Tourism Summit highlighted the transformative and positive impact of community tourism with keynote speakers and panel discussions.
Attendees heard from Lonely Planet Founder Tony Wheeler and US journalist and author Elizabeth Becker along with local speakers such as Indian poet Aranya Johar, Meenu Vadera (Azad Foundation), Aayusha Prasain (Community Homestay Network), Ernest White II (Fly Brother) and Paras Loomba (Global Himalayan Expeditions).
GX India 2024 attendees also learnt more about Planeterra-supported social enterprises in India, including Women with Wheels, Sheroes Hangout, Anoothi, Sunder Rang, Together we Earn (TWE), Tenacious Bee Collective, Odisha Ecotourism Foundation, Pink City Rickshaw, and Salaam Baalak Trust.
G Adventures and Planeterra Founder Bruce Poon Tip said GX is a way to celebrate the incredible power of tourism to change the lives of communities.
“We’ve had this dream at G Adventures since we first started, that travellers can change the world just by going on holiday. And that’s what GX is all about,” he said.
“Bringing all of our communities together in India to showcase how the right kind of tourism can positively impact lives on a daily basis has been a huge privilege for me.
“Our guests have had the opportunity to visit remarkable projects and meet remarkable people during their time here. The experience has been transformational for everyone involved,” he said.
Jordan was announced as the next GX Summit destination, which will be held in September 2025 and include G Adventures’ 35th anniversary celebrations.
For more info, head to gx.gadventures.com
