The tribe of “self”……….
One tribe above all others will have the greatest influence on travel and tourism in the next five years – and that’s the “tribe of self”.
Richard Bangs featured speaker at Wired In Travel – WIT (http://www.wiredintravel.com/), says, “It takes individuals to make the buying decisions that make a difference – ecolodge or tour-resort; hummer tour or trek; jetboat or canoe; Fiji water or tap. If we each make the right choices, we can move the world like no other force or tribe.”
Bangs, who will fly in from Los Angeles to address Asia’s leading travel distribution and marketing event on November 29-30 in Singapore, is known for his pioneering work in river and wilderness conservation. On October 12, Bangs will receive the Mark Dubois Award from Friends of the River for his contribution to this cause.
John Yost, co-founder of Sobek Expeditions (now Mountain Travel Sobek) with friend with Bangs, describes his lifelong friend as “an international adventurer, author, and entrepreneur of adrenaline”.
To Bangs, the award is an opportunity to “communicate the value of free flowing clean water” to the planet and those who live on it.
“Like most awards, it is undeserving in that there are so many good people involved in these causes, who make it a lifelong mission and an unrequited passion, and they hold up the structure of such accolades.
“Wild rivers are necessary and transformational. If I have a life work, it has been to evangelise the power and meaning of wilderness, and this award will help in that campaign.”
At WIT, Bangs, who was also on the founding team of Expedia, says he will share how the Internet can influence behavior, not just in purchasing, but in shifting hearts and minds to make purchasing decisions that can do good for the whole of the planet.
“With information, there is such power to enable the evolution of consciousness, and the tools that exist are getting better all the time,” he adds.
He says his greatest adventure this year was in New Zealand where he spent time “exploring a Maori ethos of stewardship and guardianship called Kaitiakitanga”.
“I spent time with Prime Minister Helen Clark who has endorsed the concept, and pledged to make New Zealand the first carbon neutral country in the world. I have a television special coming out early next year on these explorations, and a companion book.”
And his greatest adventure to come?……….Space.
“Well, every day is a grand adventure. I love the infinite possibilities, and turning corners not before turned. All is interconnected, and immeasurably complex. It makes for endless wonder.”
He is currently working on a new television series called “Adventures With Purpose”.
“Rather than collapse on a beach, this is about moving forward and making a difference; celebrating heroes, and being involved in our own unfolding myths.”
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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