The first Planet, People, Peace (P3) international conference is to be held in San Jose, Costa Rica on 26-29 October 2009. It will bring together the world’s foremost experts in sustainable tourism to share the most successful sustainable development practices and provide a new information network among leaders in tourism.
P3 is a joint venture between The Costa Rican National Chamber of Ecotourism (CANAECO) and the Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT). Glenn Jampol, President of CANAECO, explains: “There are dozens of conferences around the world that address responsible and sustainable tourism. Our goal is not to compete with them, but rather create a reputation for leading the dialogue that sets the agendas for future gatherings.”
“We hope to attract delegates who want to learn more about the success of Costa Rica’s sustainable tourism model and are responsible for creating successful models within their own destinations. By sharing this knowledge we will only raise the bar for excellence when it comes to growing tourism globally in a sustainable way.”
Costa Rica will provide leadership as the most advanced sustainable tourism destination; not just regionally, but also on an international level, acting as a model for any country that wants to implement real sustainable tourism development.
Key note speakers will include Kelly Bricker, Chair of the International Ecotourism Society, Arnaldo Rodriguez, Deputy Chief of Party for the USAID-funded Sustainable Forests and Coasts in Ecuador and Chile and Sonam Dorji, Bhutanese (Kingdom of Bhutan), General Secretary of the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO).
With a large number of international visitors expected, P3 organisers have set up a scheme to financially offset the harmful emissions resulting from the flights to Costa Rica. 100% of the financial resources raised will go towards Costa Rican forestry projects.
There will also be an exhibition area in which organisations, companies and governmental institutions related to sustainable tourism will be showcasing their products and services.
Arnaldo Rodríguez is a specialist in sustainable tourism, with over 20 years of experience in management, marketing, interpretation and consulting. He is currently the Deputy Chief of Party for the USAID-funded Sustainable Forests and Coasts in Ecuador, and president of Green Consulting (an internationally known consulting firm specialized in sustainable tourism) in Ecuador and Chile.
Ruud Klep is founder and owner of ReKwest, a sustainable tourism consultancy. Some of the projects he has been involved in are the Travel Foundation Netherlands, Contribution to Conservation in Namibia, Sustainable Tourism Program (DTO) for tour operators of the Dutch Tourism Association (ANVR DTO Program), Training of representatives of 12 districts from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, Evaluation of Pan Parks Foundation 2005-2007 (Hungary and WWF Netherlands), ECP Tourism Program 2008-2015 and Sustainability Reporting System For Tour Operators.
Bruce Poon Tip is founder and CEO of Canadian based Gap Adventures. Bruce will share his experience of running of Gap Adventures as a profitable and sustainable high-growth business that has always incorporated sustainability into its company decision-making processes through a triple bottom line approach. He will discuss the how and whys of the current and future needs of the ecotourism industry to lead mainstream tourism towards sustainability.
Masaru Takayama’s passion for ecotourism and ecolodge started in Costa Rica in 1998. Since then he founded the first ecolodge association in the world, Japan Ecolodge Association, to promote the concept of ecotourism and ecolodges, uniting responsible tourism and the principles of green buildings in Japan.
Information on sponsors, accommodation, pre and post tours as well as the full agenda may be found by visiting www.planetpeoplepeace.com
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Chief of Party for the USAID-funded Sustainable Forests and Coasts in Ecuador and Chile and Sonam Dorji, Bhutanese (Kingdom of Bhutan), General Secretary of the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO).