This year, GX made a grand return, taking us to vibrant India. Hosted by G Adventures and Planeterra, the event brought together nearly 500 travel industry representatives from around the globe, including travel agents, media, content creators, partners, suppliers, and travellers.
But GX India wasn’t just about welcoming event attendees—it also brought together nine inspiring community tourism enterprises and organizations supported by Planeterra from across the country. These included Women with Wheels, Sheroes, Anoothi, Sunder Rang, Together We Earn (TWE), Tenacious Bee Collective, Odisha Ecotourism Foundation, Pink City Rickshaw, and Salaam Baalak Trust. (Check this page to learn more about our community partners).
These organizations had the opportunity to share their incredible work by hosting GX attendees and participating in the first-ever Planeterra Marketplace, where they showcased unique products and offered insights into their inspiring initiatives.
On September 27th, 2024, everyone gathered for the World Community Tourism Summit. This pivotal event sparked important conversations about travel, community tourism, and the environment through insightful panel discussions and keynote presentations. Keep reading to learn more!
Celebrating Tourism at the World Community Tourism Summit
The summit opened with remarks from G Adventures and Planeterra Founder Bruce Poon Tip and Planeterra President Jamie Sweeting, who highlighted how community tourism has the power to foster deep connections.
Jamie shared exciting updates on Planeterra and G Adventures’ Project 300, noting that since last year’s GX in Peru, 13 new community tourism enterprises have been supported, bringing the total to 130 worldwide.
He also announced a new five-year partnership between Planeterra and G Touring to further expand community tourism across the globe.
Fireside Chats and Empowering Panels
One of the summit’s most anticipated moments was the fireside chat between Bruce Poon Tip and Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet. They reflected on the evolution of responsible tourism and how community tourism is shaping the future of travel.
Tony emphasized that “travel is not just about seeing beautiful places but about getting to know the people and cultures behind them.”
Panels throughout the day addressed pressing issues in community tourism. Here are some key highlights:
Community Tourism in India
During the discussion on “Community Tourism in India,” moderator Julie FitzGerald (G Adventures) led a conversation with Shivya Nath (The Shooting Star), Tanya Alag (Salaam Baalak Trust), and Priyanka Singh (Planeterra) about the importance of adapting tourism to meet local community needs. Tanya emphasized that tourism should go beyond seeing iconic landmarks—it’s about hearing people’s stories and understanding their lives.
Shivya Nath called for a major shift in the tourism industry, advocating for a future where “all tourism by default supports local communities.” Her sentiment resonated with many attendees, sparking a call to action to make responsible travel the standard, not the exception.
Tackling Global Challenges Through Tourism
The summit also addressed global challenges. In a panel titled “Climate & Biodiversity,” participants discussed how community tourism can help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Moderated by Jamie Sweeting, the panel featured Michelle Degenhardt (Flight Centre Travel Group), Jaideep Bansal (GHE), Thomas Armitt (Planeterra), and Michelle Hudema (G Adventures). They emphasized how empowering people within their communities can lead to lasting environmental solutions.
The urgency of the moment was captured with the statement, “We are one of the first generations to witness the effects of climate change, but also one of the last that can do something about it.”
Fundraising for Good
Brian Young, G Adventures Managing Director for UK & Europe, shared the success of “G Trek for Good”, an initiative that has raised over $160,000 USD through treks up Kilimanjaro, Mount Toubkal, and Colombia’s Lost City.
The funds support both Planeterra and ABTA Lifeline, with next year’s trek set for Peru.
Helping Women to empower themselves through Community Tourism
A powerful panel on “Women & Community Tourism” highlighted initiatives like Women With Wheels, which are challenging the status quo in India. By training women to become professional drivers, these programs are not only providing job opportunities but also reshaping societal perceptions of women in public spaces.
Moderator Kelly Galaski (Planeterra) and speakers Tabitha Lipkin, Meenu Vadera (Azad Foundation), and Aayusha Prasain (Community Homestay Network) emphasized that empowerment is not just about employment—it’s about giving women the space to make decisions, create enterprises, and break down cultural barriers.
Other key moments and messages
Journalist and writer Elizabeth Becker reminded attendees of the importance of engaging governments as key stakeholders to ensure tourism benefits everyone. Paras Loomba, founder of GHE and Mountain Homestays, shared insights into how tourism not only enhances destinations but also empowers travellers to become champions of positive change.
Ernest White II, storyteller, explorer, and host of the television docu-series Fly Brother, highlighted the power of personal connection in travel. He reminded attendees about the importance of “looking each other in the eyes and giving compliments.” Songwriter, rapper, and poet Aranya Johar also delighted the audience with her art.
A Powerful Closing Moment
One of the summit’s most touching moments came during a surprise presentation by Bruce Poon Tip, who invited Sanju Solanki and his daughter Anshul Singh from Janak Art Studio to the stage.
Anshul captivated the audience with a powerful statement: “Women don’t need empowerment; we are already empowered. We need space. We need men to step back and give us space.”
Looking Ahead: GX 2025 in Jordan
The day concluded with an exciting announcement from Bruce Poon Tip: the next GX World Community Tourism Summit will be held in Jordan in September 2025. Partnering with the Jordan Tourism Board North America and Royal Jordanian Airlines, this event will continue the legacy of connecting local people and travellers through community tourism.
The GX World Community Tourism Summit 2024 in Jaipur was a day filled with deep reflection, empowering conversations, and meaningful connections. It demonstrated how tourism, when focused on community impact, can be a powerful force for change. Whether through economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, or cultural exchange, community tourism is shaping the future of travel.
