Tourism for changemakers: RRU at IMPACT conference
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Learn more about RRU’s Master of Arts in Tourism Management program.
Three Master of Arts in Tourism Management students were asked to attend and speak at this year’s IMPACT Sustainability Travel and Tourism conference in Victoria, BC. Here’s how it went…
From left to right: Assoc. Prof. Rebecca Wilson-Mah, Raimundo Olivos, Veronica Santiago, Agrim Banerjee, and Work-Integrated Learning Framework Developer Nancy Prévost-Maurice.
Invigorating a community
Agrim Banerjee says he realized tourism can be life-giving.
“Tourism should serve as a platform for the regeneration of individuals, communities, and places, fostering their health and vitality,” says Banerjee.
Banerjee brings more than 10 years of tourism and hospitality experience to his program. Working in his home country of India began his profound connection with the industry. His conference presentation explained his journey from tour operator in New Delhi to graduate researcher specializing in sustainability at RRU.
He started the MATM program to deepen his knowledge and expand his understanding of tourism and says: “My experience in the MATM program has been truly transformative.”
MATM student Agrim Banerjee speaks at the IMPACT Sustainability Travel and Tourism conference.
"A strong wake-up call"
“I believe there isn't a person who attended and didn't leave with the feeling that we can do much more for sustainable tourism,” says Raimundo Olivos.
Olivos traveled to RRU from his home in Chile, where he made great strides with his documentary film series, Andes Indómito.
Indominable Andes (the English translation) consists of six episodes that focus on mountain exploration and sustainability in the Andes Mountain Range from Colombia to Patagonia.
“It's essentially an ode to the Andes, highlighting the relationship with tourism and the development of isolated destinations,” he explains.
Olivos is using the MATM program to further develop his tourism expertise and says: “I believe the experience has been one of the most meaningful in my professional life.”
MATM student Raimundo Olivos speaks at the IMPACT Sustainability Travel and Tourism conference.
More than just an industry
Veronica Santiago says she left the conference with a strong feeling that connection is the key to sustainable and regenerative tourism.
“If we are not taking this personally, then why are we here?” was Santiago’s standout quote by Debbie Clarke, director of Regenerative Development at the Centre for GOOD Travel.
Santiago says the idea resonates with her because her work is tied to her personal growth and motivated by giving back to her home country of México — topics central to her conference presentation.
“In my case, this message takes the form of promoting sustainable practices in my home country, México, through small and medium enterprises like mine,” she says. “This is the first chapter, I said to the audience, but not the last.”
Santiago is happy with her progress at RRU and says: “The MATM program has been life-changing... I am not only a student of the program, but also an advocate for it.”
MATM student Veronica Santiago speaks at the IMPACT Sustainability Travel and Tourism conference.
Learn more about RRU’s Master of Arts in Tourism Management program.