Select Page

Imagine, inspire, invest. How much adventure do you need

What exactly was the expectations of the so-called adventure tourists? Are they specialists, or are they coach potatoes looking for a thrill? These and many other adventure travel issues are to be discussed at the Adventure Travel World Summit in Swakopmund later this year.
The 2013 Adventure Travel World Summit(ATWS) will feature three intensive delegate exchange programmes including a new, all-day Peer-to-Peer Exchange; a Business-to-Business Marketplace connecting buyers with suppliers through pre-set appointments; and a new MediaConnect format, mixing media trends and tips from top travel journalists, bloggers and media experts with pitching opportunities.
Representatives from 64 countries make up the 650-delegate sold-out Summit set for 26 to 31 October in Windhoek and Swakopmund and hosted by the Namibia Tourism Board. The Namibian edition of this world-famous summit is organised by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).This is the third year running that the ATTA’s marquee annual conference has sold out several months prior to the actual summit.
The new and updated delegate exchange programmes provide ATWS delegates the rare opportunity to dive into critical adventure travel topics and trends with their peers. “Our community has an intense desire to share knowledge and improve the industry as a whole,” said Mr. Shannon Stowell, Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) President. “At the Summit we truly see our ‘tribe’ develop and the expertise each person brings to the event will be fully utilised during this year’s interactive programmes,” Stowell added.
Complementing the ATTA’s intensive focus on peer-to-peer exchange are high-impact, inspirational plenary and concurrent session content, which draws from real-world, successful and responsible adventure tourism development models. The summit will also feature presentations supporting the its theme, “Imagine. Inspire. Invest”.
In addition to the keynotes, a cadre of experts addressing core business disciplines of the adventure tourism industry will conduct workshops covering crisis management protocols, maximising marketing budgets, investment strategies for destinations and operators, education and training, trends in online marketing, building successful influencer and content campaigns, and many others.
Established in 1990, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) serves nearly 900 members in 80 countries worldwide. Members predominantly include tour operators, tourism boards, travel advisors and accommodation establishments with a vested interest in the sustainable development of adventure tourism. The ATTA delivers solutions and connections that propel members towards their business goals and the industry towards a responsible and profitable future. Through its regional AdventureConnect events and annual Adventure Travel World Summit trade conference, the ATTA excels in professional learning, networking and partnering services. With expertise in research, education, adventure travel industry news and promotion, members of the ATTA receive competitive opportunities that help establish them as leaders in adventure tourism.

About The Author