It was with great pleasure that LT&C chairs Diana and Michael, our honorary president Peter and board members Greg and Harald, met at ITB Berlin and were joined by LT&C members, colleagues, and partners.

Panel discussions “Outdoor, healthy and sustainable – a promising path for Albania’s tourism” and “Sustainable tourism with standards!”

Diana moderated panel discussions in presence of the Albanian Minister for Tourism and Environment, Her Excellency Mirela Kumbaro, joined by sustainable operators and tourism stakeholders from Albania and international sustainable tourism experts. Her Excellency emphasised the importance of communication, education, and emancipation as the core pillars for building a sustainable tourism future in Albania.

The discussions around a sustainable policy framework and private sector engagement come at a crucial time, as Albania has recently declared the protection of Vjosa river – the last wild free river in Europe – and is working towards the establishment of the first wild river National Park in Europe with the support of Patagonia and IUCN. The area is a habitat of extreme ecological importance and plays a crucial role in ecotourism and adventure tourism in Albania.

Panel discussion on Indigenous people and community-based tourism

Greg from Red Rocks Rwanda gave a passionate talk about the importance of linking conservation and rural community development.

Explore Adventure Tourism in Georgia

LT&C member Xenia Nossova coordinated several events for the host country Georgia, among them an event with speakers from the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association, International Freeride Skier and IFMGA Mountain Guide, and representatives from the Georgian tourism industry. The event was hosted by the USAID Economic Security Program.

LT&C Example Chumbe Island highlighted at Greener Zanzibar event

Zanzibar recently launched the Zanzibar Sustainable Tourism Declaration, a call for action for the public and private sectors to jointly work together for a more sustainable tourism future of the archipelago.

The declaration was endorsed by the President of Zanzibar and so far has more than a hundred signatories. Five commitment areas lay out ways how to green tourism operations. LT&C Example Chumbe Island presented their best practices in each of the commitment areas and how they are planning to support fellow tourism stakeholders through the Greener Zanzibar movement.

Talks with Rwanda Development Board

LT&C members gathered with the Director of the Rwanda Development Board and Rwanda Chamber of Commerce to discuss possible cooperation in relation to the Business of Conservation Conference in Kigali from August 29-31, 2023, and the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit from November 1-3, 2023.