OPEN SESSIONS

ETHICS, ECONOMICS & GEOPOLITICS

TUESDAY 26th march 2024
4:00 PM (BST)

Join The Conscious Travel Foundation for a thought-provoking webinar that unravels the complexities of ethical decision-making in travel and sheds light on the transformative potential of tourism in regions marked by controversy and conflict.

Thought leaders Gaurav Sinha, Hjörtur Smárason, and Kate Bloomer will be aiming for an open, honest conversation moderated be renowned travel journalist and TCTF mentor Juliet Kinsman. As tourism increasingly becomes a catalyst for cultural and economic change, our panellists will explore the boundaries of moral considerations in selecting destinations and the role of tourism as an agent of transformation.

We’ll discuss the ethical concerns that travel operators face when marketing and selling destinations, shedding light on the fine line between personal moral convictions and the need for a unified industry-wide approach. Drawing on their personal experience as placemakers, destination marketeers and travel designers, our panellists will explore the pitfalls that can lead to misjudgements about a destination and explore how building tourism in areas of conflict or human-rights violations can bring about positive change.

Highlighting instances where tourism becomes a powerful tool for poverty alleviation and economic growth, the discussion aims to uncover the benefits and potential obstacles of engaging with destinations facing challenges – both real and media generated - on the geopolitical stage.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

MEET OUR PANELLISTS

  • Juliet Kinsman

    Juliet’s North Star is sharing stories to inspire impact — as a journalist, author, broadcaster and speaker. The first ever Sustainability Editor of Condé Nast Traveller and founder of communications consultancy Bouteco, she believes in travel’s potential to tackle myopia and strives to cultivate curiosity in opinions different to our own and have more challenging conversations.

  • GAURAV SINHA

    Based in Dubai, Gaurav Sinha is the CEO of Insignia Worldwide, a destination design, development and experience company. Renowned for his strategic and creative acumen to make places and experiences distinct, meaningful and commercially viable, Gaurav has provided services to developers and tourism boards including Red Sea Global, Ministry of Culture KSA, Saudi Tourism Authority and NEOM.

  • HJÖTUR SMÁRASON

    Joining us from his home in Iceland, Hjörtur Smárason is the founder and lead strategist at Saltworks ehf. and a partner at Chameleon Strategies. Hjörtur is an expert in place branding and destination development and a communications strategist, he has worked for cities, regions and countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Arctic on their communications, branding, future visions and strategies.

  • KATE BLOOMER

    Speaking from London, Kate Bloomer is Head of Travel at ISHKAR, a travel company specialising in rarely visited parts of the world, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, the DRC and Sudan. Drawing on years of experience working in regions perceived to be off-limits to foreign tourists, ISHKAR provides small groups of curious and critically-minded travellers with access to extraordinary places.

The Conscious Travel Foundation offers a regular learning programme of expert-led panel discussions, small group conversations and workshops for our members. We open up one panel discussion annually to non-members, so please join us for this topical conversation. Book now with a minimum donation of £10 to The Conscious Travel Foundation.