The Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) Annual Convention & Trade Show: «Aurora Night Live» took place from the 24th to the 26th of October in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, presented “Destination Stewardship: Maximize the Benefits and Minimize the Negative Impacts.” Where he spoke about the importance of sustainable tourism practices in destinations. He highlighted strategies that maximize the positive outcomes of tourism while minimizing its negative impacts on destinations. He also emphasized the need for sustainable approaches that promote long-term economic, environmental, and cultural benefits for communities, and the importance of the GSTC Destination Criteria and how applying it helps destinations to contribute towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
ATIA attendees had the opportunity to explore Pioneer Park, a 44-acre Historical Theme Park located in the heart of Fairbanks, and attend a banquet reception, creating space to network with a diverse range of tourism businesses, including tour operators, wholesalers, vendors, destination marketing organizations, and elected officials. The event provided a platform for participants to stay updated on the latest travel industry best practices and business skills.
