New York, NY – April 21, 2008: Tuesday, 15 April 2008, was a banner day for CC Africa, with the holding of its inaugural Responsible Luxury Summit at New York’s new Times Center, posing the question: “Can Luxury Travel be Responsible Travel?”
As a world leader in the art of combining luxury hospitality, conservation and social responsibility, CC Africa (Conservation Corporation Africa) called together experts in travel, tourism and hospitality to look for answers. 200 participants from various branches of the travel industry and the media, as well as past CC Africa guests and representatives of museums and not-for-profit organizations met at the Times Center Stage, part of the new home of The New York Times on Manhattan’s Eighth Avenue.
“We do not have the answers, we are looking to this profound group of professionals to guide us and to help us make the best decisions for our business,” said CC Africa Marketing Director Nicky Fitzgerald. The morning began with an address by CC Africa CEO, Steve Fitzgerald and was followed by addresses by Rochelle Roca Hachem, UNESCO’s Program Specialist for Culture and by Melissa Biggs Bradley, president of Indagare.com.
A panel discussion was chaired by Costas Christ, Convener of Tourism for Tomorrow Awards & Global Travel Editor of National Geographic Adventure. Panelists included Dorinda Elliott, Deputy Editor of Condé Nast Traveler; Amy Farley, Senior Editor of Travel+Leisure; Francis Farrell, Vice President and Publisher of National Geographic Adventure; Michael Kaye, President of Costa Rica Expeditions; Heidi Mitchell, Editor-in-Chief of Town and Country Travel; MaryJo Viederman, VP Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility of Lindblad Expeditions; Valerie Ann Wilson, President of Valerie Wilson Travel and Joel Zack, President of Heritage Tours.
“We were blown away by the amount of people who are passionate about this topic and who came to take part in our discussion,” said Steve Fitzgerald, “we plan to do this again, starting the conversation is the best way to foster change.”
About CC Africa
CC Africa owns and operates more than 45 safari lodges and camps throughout Southern and East Africa and is now branching out to India in cooperation with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. As Africa’s leading ecotourism company, it is dedicated to conserving the wildlife surrounding its properties and to contributing to the local communities while simultaneously creating a luxurious and memorable experience for travelers.
