John Ponting is the latest high-level sustainability professional to agree to speak at the Sustainable Tourism Masterclass this Friday.

 

John currently leads the Converging World, a UK based charity that aims to address issues arising from social inequality, creating mechanisms which link communities in the developed and developing world, aiming to reduce the gap between the energy-rich and energy-poor, the opportunity-rich and opportunity-poor and to work towards a world where socially there are equal opportunities for all.

 

He started the JT Group in 1961 which over forty years developed a national profile, in particular for green issues in construction and mixed-use urban renewal. As a Trustee, and as Chairman for 13 years, John was involved in a range of development projects for The Dartington Hall Trust, a charity with a significant community involvement principally in the South West. He was closely involved in the formation of the Quartet Community Foundation by the Society of Merchant Venturers. This now has an endowment fund in excess of £8 million and a grants programme in excess of £2 million per annum. JT provided office space during the set-up period and John remains a Trustee.

 

John is on the board of Bristol’s Sustainability West and a patron of Bath-based Envolve.

There are still a few places available to hear some of the world’s most informed speakers on sustainable tourism at the Totem/Vision/Innovation for Sustainable Development Intensive Masterclass on Sustainable Tourism.

 

The masterclass is created specifically to deliver critical sustainable market advantage for destinations, accommodation providers, operators and agents.

 

Speakers booked for the masterclass, include Dr Murray Simpson – the Oxford University academic currently managing the Caribbean’s attempt to be the world’s first Carbon-neutral destination, Virgin’s Responsible Tourism manager, Rachel McCaffery and Forum for the Future’s Vicky Murray.

 

The 1 day “Intensive Masterclass on Sustainable Tourism Marketing” will be held at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington, London on 11 September.

 

This year’s title will be ‘Sustainable Tourism Creation & Marketing – Challenges & Opportunities in 2009’

 

The speakers list so far includes;

 

Dr Murray Simpson: Oxford University Centre for the Environment

SEE: www.travelmole.tv/watch_vdo.php

 

Rachel McCaffery: Head of Responsible Business at Virgin Holidays

SEE: www.travelmole.tv/watch_vdo.php

 

Vicky Murray: Forum for The Future

SEE: www.forumforthefuture.org/partnerships/travel

 

Gopinath Parayil: The Blue Yonder and Nila Foundation, founding trustee of ICRT India SEE: www.theblueyonder.com

 

John Ponting: The Converging World SEE: www.theconvergingworld.org/

 

Valere Tjolle: Editor, VISION on Sustainable Tourism www.tourism-vision.com

 

The masterclass is directed at senior executives in the travel and tourism industry, ministers, top level government officials and advisors from tourist ministries, hotels, spas, resorts, tour operators, visitor attractions and destination management and marketing organisations.

 

Participants will expect to take away commanding sustainable market advantages and a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities available at this critical time in the travel and tourism business’ history.

 

Masterclass modules will include:

 

•    Carbon Neutral Destinations; the BIG Market Advantage

•    Tour Operators Big, Medium & Small; the Sustainability Imperative

•    Futureproofing; the Tourism industry’s Opportunity

•    Global Tourism; a Destination Perspective

•    Marketing, Small Budget, Big Results; the Power of Social Networks, Tweets, Relationships and Evangelists

 

The cost for the whole day, including lunch, supper and specially-prepared dossiers, will be UK£500 US$750 €600 per person.

 

The masterclass is limited to 25 participants and consideration will be given to providing full or part bursaries to MA and MSc Tourism and CSR students.

 

Said Valere Tjolle “This year we face the biggest challenges ever in the travel and tourism industry – potentially giving rise to the biggest opportunities too – the masterclass will focus on engaging with the challenges and reaping massive rewards from the opportunities – everybody in the travel business can gain.”

 

Further information from: valere@tourism-vision.com