Innovation for Sustainable Development Center is to sponsor the VISION on Sustainable Tourism autumn masterclass which is to be held at the Royal Geographical Society on 11 September.

VISION readers can still benefit from a 40% discount.

Said Valere Tjolle, editor of VISION and leader of the masterclass “I’m really pleased for the masterclass to be associated with ISD. The organisation is gaining an enviable reputation in the sustainable tourism field and I’m sure it’s going to have a big effect on the industry.”

Top speakers have been booked for the 1 day ‘Intensive Masterclass on Sustainable Tourism Marketing’. This year’s title will be ‘Sustainable Tourism Creation & Marketing – Challenges & Opportunities in 2009’

The speakers list so far includes;

•    Dr Murray Simpson: Oxford University Centre for the Environment

See: www.travelmole.tv/watch_vdo.php

•    Rachel McCaffery Head of Responsible Business at Virgin Holidays

See: www.travelmole.tv/watch_vdo.php

•    Vicky Murray: Forum for The Future www.forumforthefuture.org/partnerships/travel

•    Gopinath Parayil, The Blue Yonder and Nila Foundation, founding trustee of ICRT India www.theblueyonder.com

•    Valere Tjolle: Editor, VISION on Sustainable Tourismwww.tourism-vision.com

The masterclass is directed at senior executives in the travel and tourism industry, ministers, top level government officials and advisors from tourist ministries, hotels, spas, resorts, tour operators, visitor attractions and destination management and marketing organisations.

Participants will expect to take away a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities available at this critical time in the travel and tourism business’ history.

Masterclass modules will include:

•    Carbon Neutral Destinations; the BIG Market Advantage

•    Tour Operators Big, Medium & Small;  the Sustainability Imperative

•    Futureproofing; the Tourism industry’s Opportunity

•    Global Tourism;  a Destination Perspective

•    Marketing, Small Budget, Big Results; the Power of Social Networks, Tweets, Relationships and Evangelists

The cost for the whole day, including lunch, supper and specially-prepared dossiers, will be UK£500 per person. VISION on Sustainable Tourism subscribers can benefit from an exclusive 40% discount if booked and paid by 30 June.

The masterclass is limited to 25 participants and consideration will be given to providing full or part bursaries to MA and MSc Tourism and CSR students.

Said Valere Tjolle “This year we face the biggest challenges ever in the travel and tourism industry – potentially giving rise to the biggest opportunities too – the masterclass will focus on engaging with the challenges and reaping massive rewards from the opportunities – everybody in the travel business can gain.”

Further information from: [email protected]