Nurture – Transformative Learning

This presentation follows the series of the World Summit Adventure; the speaker was Keith Bellows - Editor in chief of National Geographic Traveler. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a Canadian citizen, Keith Bellows, 58, was named editor-in-chief of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER magazine in January 1998 and a vice president of the National Geographic Society in March 2000. Under his stewardship, the magazine has been nominated for two National Magazine Awards, won more than 60 Lowell Thomas Awards for best travel writing (it has been named best magazine eight of his 11 years and this year won as best magazine and best website), and eight Folio Awards for Best Travel Magazine. As a tip of the hat to new media, TRAVELER has won an iTunes People’s Choice Award for Best Podcast of 2006, for which Bellows wrote two scripts. Its “Intelligent Travel” won a 2007 Travvie and a 2009 Lonely Planet Award as best travel blog.

Keith has lived in Scotland among many other destinations. He began his speech by addressing that his readers are our customers. And put forward the idea of “Nurturing the future” (we have to pass or comfort zone every day). Some of the facts he introduced:

• 35 % of US congress men have no passport, no data on US inhabitants.

He believes that travelling can be a learning experience and can lead to life changing experiences opening the mind of the traveller. Travelling is true life learning, learn the needs of the people, and learn from different cultures and from the world. These learning opportunities should be targeting the kids and young people in order to learn from local and from other cultures.

• "Don't tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled." (Prophet Mohammed)

It’s time to teach children to travel and they will travel to learn.

There is not a great offer for children travel, mainly is included in the parents holidays. It’s time we begin to target this audience and help to develop remote regions and maintain cultural heritage while educating children about other cultures and ways of living. The Guide is essential for creating a unique experience for children.

• If you want to know the future, ask a kindergarten teacher.

In the future we must create specific offers for children, young people and for the growing market of retirees. Identify other travelers who are growing in number and demand associated with them.

It seems necessary that we begin to focus on tourism to these new market niches. (Young and retirees):

Do you think this is a suitable strategy?