GSTC 2020 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference to be hosted in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, November 19 – 22

The conference will be hosted at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, on November 19 – 22, 2020. The announcement was made in Terceira Island, Azores, on December 6th, 2019 by GSTC CEO Randy Durband and Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) CEO Glenn Mandziuk.

“GSTC is proud to be hosted for our 2020 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference by TOTA and their family of supporters,” says Randy Durband, CEO of the GSTC. “They have been winning many awards for good reason, having put in place and sustainable very sound tourism management practices. They are a model for destination management on many counts, especially in our view for meaningful stakeholder engagement and long-term planning.”

TOTA CEO, and new GSTC Board Director, Glenn Mandziuk recognizes the impact the conference will have on the region as a whole. “We could not be more excited to welcome the GSTC Global Conference to the Thompson Okanagan and look forward to hosting sustainable tourism leaders in Kelowna from around the world. It is truly a privilege to share our destination with the world as we work toward a more sustainable future for us all. It is an opportunity to showcase the region and our sustainable commitment on a global stage to professionals actively involved in the development and promotion of sustainable tourism.”

The event will see Kelowna and the Thompson Okanagan welcome over 300 international leaders together with up to 200 local and national delegates specializing in sustainable tourism including destination management and marketing professionals, airlines, travel agents, tour operators, the hospitality sector, and international media.

The conference brings together industry professionals to discuss key challenges and opportunities surrounding smart destination management and sustainable tourism development by featuring a series of panels and presentations from an array of speakers from around the world.

“I’m thrilled that Kelowna was selected to host the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference for the first time in Canada in 2020,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “British Columbia looks forward to hosting the world next year to continue the important dialogue on responsible tourism. This will be an incredible opportunity to showcase how we are prioritizing sustainability, environmental protection, and making sure the benefits of tourism are shared with everyone in our province.”

More details of the program, speakers, registeration, will be available soon. You can receive an update if you subscribe here.