USTOA Events

Our Meaningful Travel Summit is an event connecting industry professionals with local changemakers in places around North America. By coming together in-destination, we action and actualize the power of travel. Our goal is to learn from one another, infuse more sustainability into our businesses with the knowledge we’ve gained and roll up our sleeves to volunteer in and with the local community.

Our North America Meaningful Travel Summit provides:

• Connections to and volunteering with vetted non-profits and social enterprises
• Education sessions around universal topics in sustainability and meaningful travel
• Networking opportunities with other travel and tourism professionals
• Actionable best practices in destination stewardship

What to expect in Victoria:

Nature-based experiences are some of the fastest-growing elements in tourism, and one the travel industry can play a direct role in helping to responsibly manage. Wilderness areas across Canada share a symbiotic relationship with Indigenous communities, a heritage teeming with stories that define Canada’s culture today. Conservation of our natural resources therefore is critical for our travel product, our destination communities, and the travel experience.

During Tourism Cares with Victoria, we will meet in a destination dependent on indigenous lands, healthy marine life, and wild green spaces. Through facilitated education sessions, visits to meaningful travel experiences and volunteering, attendees will learn from environmental and Indigenous groups on how we can be better destination stewards for all to thrive.

Themes addressed throughout our education/volunteering:

• Travel and tourism’s role in the conservation of natural resources and preservation of biodiversity (exploring land and water use, animal welfare practices)
• Exploring the intersection of Indigenous practices + destination stewardship