The non-profit International Centre for Responsible Tourism global (ICRT global) is expanding in Europe with the launch of a new ICRT Europe and ICRT Balkans joining the established ICRT Finland.
ICRT global is holding an ICRT Europe webinar on 8 May at 14.30 (UK time) to introduce the new networks, and to guide organisations on how to win the new Europe Responsible Tourism Awards sponsored by easyJet holidays. Matt Callaghan, chief operating officer easyJet holidays will give a keynote on best practice in responsible tourism in Europe.
ICRT global founder Harold Goodwin will moderate a panel discussion with Matt Callaghan, Willy Legrand, professor at the IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany, Petra Blinnikka ICRT Finland, and Danica Banjevic and Kirsi Hyvaerinen of ICRT Balkans.
ICRT global is a non-profit which delivers education, training and exchanges knowledge about responsible tourism. It is also the global hub for the established regional networks including Latin America, ICRT West Africa , ICRT Southern Africa, ICRT Indian Subcontinent ICRT Sri Lanka and ICRT Southeast Asia.
Each regional ICRT is a network of people dedicated to tackling the most important responsible tourism issues in their region. Each operates differently but shares a common purpose in developing and promoting the concept of responsible tourism through advocacy, education, training, and research.
Debbie Hindle, chair of ICRT global confirmed the new networks and said: “We’re on a mission to spread greater knowledge and understanding of how to take responsibility for tourism. Our new ICRT Europe will be the central hub for our regional networks, running events and the new Europe Responsible Tourism Award sponsored by easyJet holidays. We’re delighted to welcome ICRT Balkans which is on a parallel mission to deliver grass roots education and change and we applaud the continuing great work of ICRT Finland.”
The new ICRT Balkans has been created on the back of the Tourism Think Tank “unconference” initiative that was first conceived in 2022 by Danica Banjevic in her then role as director of tourism of the Tivat Tourism Organisation. Together with consultant Kirsi Hyvaerinen and Earth Changers’ founder Vicky Smith, Danica as ICRT Balkans will bring world-class speakers in responsible, sustainable and regenerative tourism together with Western Balkans travel sector players for a bottom-up, apolitical discussion on the development of tourism regionally.
ICRT Finland was launched in 2015 and Petra Blinnikka, senior lecturer global competence in the School of Business Jamk University of Applied Sciences who will speak at the webinar confirmed: “We are now a network of more than 130 individuals representing different backgrounds eager to enhance Responsible Tourism including academia, DMOs, tourism enterprises, national tourism organisations, NGOs and municipalities.”
The Europe Responsible Tourism Awards 2025 sponsored by easyJet holidays were launched at ITB in Berlin this March and any organisation in Europe that has a good story to tell is encouraged to enter one of six awards in addressing climate change, nature positive tourism, creating shared value, peace and inclusivity, responsible all-inclusives and managing waste. The awards are free to enter and the deadline is 23 May.
Follow this link to sign up to the 8 May webinar to learn more ICRT Europe webinar
Left to right picture caption: Danica Banjevic, ICRT Balkans, Debbie Hindle ICRT global and Kirsi Hyvaerinen, ICRT Balkans
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