B Tourism

Once again, our hearts are heavy as we reach out in the wake of another devastating weather event—this time across the Southeast, including parts of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and the entire Western North Carolina region, including Tourism Cares Member Explore Asheville. Sadly, these messages have become all too frequent, reminding us of the urgency of our work in sustainable tourism and climate action. The travel and tourism industry has always been a close-knit, supportive community, and we know that many of you are eager to help. In times like these, our collective strength and compassion truly shine. We are asking our community to support these areas by donating to the following organizations who are working tirelessly to provide immediate assistance where it is most needed. Every contribution—no matter the size—makes a difference. 💛Asheville & Western North Carolina: North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund; World Central Kitchen, MANNA FoodBank - Asheville NC and Samaritan's Purse. 💛Florida: Florida Disaster Fund 💛Georgia: United Way of the CSRA and Camp Rock of Georgia 💛Tennessee: Eastern Tennessee Foundation 💛South Carolina: United Way of Greenville County Please visit these organizations to make a donation, or reach out to Destinations International who is also assisting partners through their foundation work. Your generosity will support those most impacted as they begin the long journey from relief to recovery. We will remain in close contact with our partners in North Carolina and keep you updated on additional ways we can come together to aid in their long-term recovery. Thank you, as always, for your unwavering support and compassion. Photo Credit: Fiasco Media / Stephan Pruitt Photography #hurricanehelene #helene #whentourismcares

Today is WORLD TOURISM DAY  🌍✨ Embark on a journey towards peace this World Tourism Day 2024! 🕊️ Let’s celebrate tourism’s power to foster global harmony through cultural exchange, sustainable practices, and open dialogue. Together, we can transform tourism into a beacon of peace and understanding. #WorldTourismDay #PeaceThroughTourism #GlobalHarmony United Nations UN Tourism UNESCO Natalia Bayona Antonio López de Ávila Muñoz

As I reflect on another incredible values-driven event, this time at the #WorldTourismDay Forum in #Atlanta the theme of #Tourism, #Peace, and #Justice has stuck with me in unexpected ways. Center for Responsible Travel and RISE Travel Institute curated a lineup of discussions around making travel more inclusive and accessible, but little did I know I would experience firsthand just how far we still need to go. On my flight home, I approached my window seat only to be greeted by a woman seated in the aisle. She kindly said, “You’ll have to jump over me to get to your seat—I’m disabled and can’t stand up for you to pass.” At that moment, I felt embarrassed, apologizing several times as I maneuvered over her, but also deeply sorry that this was her reality. I asked if this was something she experienced every time she flew and traveled around. Her response? "Yes." We began chatting about the #WTD forum I had just attended, where I engaged in several discussions on accessibility in travel. Shouldn’t airlines provide better seating accommodations for people with disabilities? Do travelers with disabilities have to pay extra for more accessible seats? What if they can’t afford those additional costs? Why isn’t the travel experience smoother for everyone involved? She shared a thought that really made sense to me: “I wish airlines collected more detailed information about passengers with disabilities when we book, so they could offer the right support.” She also shared that airline staff aren’t always trained to handle these situations well. This underscores the critical need for businesses to prioritize investment in DEI initiatives. As businesses, including airlines, talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, we must remember that #DEI isn’t a buzzword or a box to check—it’s about making sure everyone is seen and heard in decisions that impact them. Jeremy Sampson's closing talk on meaningful actions couldn't have tied it all together better! Let’s keep pushing for intentional, inclusive practices that make everyone feel seen. More #WTDphotos loading...

This #WorldTourismDay, we acknowledge the power travel has to unite people and cultures from around the world, helping to foster positive social change and peace building. Here at B Tourism, we do believe that travel can be used as a force for good and we are so thankful to our nearly 200 Certified #BCorps in tourism across the globe as they work tirelessly every day to make this a reality. #wtd24

📢 Exciting News! Tourism Cares CEO, Greg Takehara, will be moderating an insightful panel at Center for Responsible Travel's World Tourism Day Forum! 🗣️ Panel Discussion: Tourism and Peace - What is tourism's role in promoting peace, supporting justice, and building community resilience? 📅 Tuesday, September 24 ⏰ 10:00-11:15 AM Join the conversation at the World Tourism Day Forum in Atlanta and explore tourism’s powerful role in creating a better world. #wtd2024 #worldtourismday #wtdatlanta #tourismjusticepeace #WhenTourismCares

Only 2 Days Left to Grab Your Tickets! 🎟️ Book before midnight tonight for a chance to win a Free Trip Giveaway for Two, courtesy of Intrepid Travel! 🌍 Choose from amazing destinations like Colombia, Jordan, Sri Lanka, the Canadian Rockies, or the U.S. South. Don't miss out on the exclusive World Tourism Day Forum curated by our partners, the Center for Responsible Travel and RISE Travel Institute. 🎟 Tickets Here: https://lnkd.in/eZbuyD6f Here's what you can expect: - A cultural performance from the Gullah Geechee Ring Shouters and a Q&A Session with them led by Mr. Griffin Lotson. - An incredible keynote presentation from Aziz Abu Sarah on tourism & peace. - A conversation on Tourism & Peace moderated by Greg Takehara of Tourism Cares, with Sasha Vosk of Rebuilding Ukraine Travel and Hernán Acevedo of Intrepid Travel. - A deep dive on Tourism, Justice, and Economic Development in Atlanta and the South with Jill Savitt of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and Barbara Harrison of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center), moderated by Sophia Hyder Hock of Destinations International. - Conversations, presentations, panels and solutions-oriented workshops with academics, civil society leaders, and journalists on tourism's intersection with peace & justice: Dr Jonathon Day, Tiffany Rhodes, Roni Weiss, Brooke Hansen, Winnie Mulamba, Richard Bangs. - Dialogue on tourism's intersection with human mobility, refugees, and migration with Dr. Gada Mahrouse, Kitti Murray, and Kayra Martinez. - Presentations and Fireside Chats on decolonizing travel and tourism in areas with extractive economies with Vincie H., Bobbie Chew Bigby, PhD, and Efrain Quispe Juarez. - A deep dive into Atlanta's cultural influence, inclusivity, and Equity in a presentation by Candace M. Stanciel, M. Ed. of the City of Atlanta, and in a Fireside Chat with Bem Joiner of Atlanta Influences Everything and Nathaniel Smith of the Partnership for Southern Equity. - Incredible presentations and personal stories from the field with Bob Shevlin of UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa, Jeremy Sampson, and Michael Luongo. - A conversation on authentic Storytelling for Just & Equitable Travel moderated by Jonathan Tourtellot and with thoughts from Kelley Louise, Lebo Lukewarm, and Rachel Levy. Join B Tourism in ATL- be there!! 🎟 Tickets: https://lnkd.in/eZbuyD6f

Congratulations to our B Tourism Member Playa Viva on the award of Two Michelin Keys! This is an incredible achievement for their property and only goes to show that you can do very well while doing good. Thank you to Playa Viva, David Leventhal and the whole team for being such a beacon for our industry and the #regenerativetravel movement.

For travelers seeking the unearthed, unusual and unexpected adventures- Intrepid Travel has just dropped the Not Hot List for 2025. Add these underrated trips to your list ASAP!

I may be biased, but what better way to cap off the #BCorpFestival than with our ‘judicial review’ in the Oxford Town Hall courtroom. Travel by B Corp members were asked whether flying for leisure can ever be justified. It was standing room only for this event where the incredible and extremely amusing Sarah Prager KC presided over us all - challenging us to present solid evidence that would inform her judgement. Our superb witnesses, Tessa Holmes Dom Hughes Simon Heyes and Paul Conroy gave detailed examples and great responses to the questions from the gallery. We gave justice to the courtroom and showed the value of good that tourism can bring - both domestically and internationally- when done well. Great to see our Members there today and know that others even not in the room were all willing us on. Derek Hydon Danny Pecorelli Sam Clark Nick Pulley Emma Wellstead 🔭 William Bicknell Abigail Best Rachel Parsons Journeys With Purpose Lucy Dean Thomas Power Marmot Tours Ltd

Happy Birthday to B Tourism Member Wanderwell!