Conservationist, marine biologist and presenter of Channel 4’s My Family and the Galapagos, Monty Halls, is to address the issue of responsible travel at this year’s Aito conference.
He will speak about his family travel adventures, conservation and environmental issues and travel experiences.
The president of the Galapagos Conservation Trust will be at the conference with his family – wife, Tamsyn and daughters Isla, six, and Molly, four.
The family uprooted to the Galapagos for three months and uncovered the strains put on this archipelago of volcanic Ecuadorian islands, where tourism and environmental changes are endangering not only the region’s ecosystem.
Halls’ talk will offer delegates at the event in Ras Al Khaimah on November 22-25 an insight into sustainable tourism in action and will take them through his tales of how the family managed their new life on the Galapagos, and the challenges they faced.
Aito chairman Derek Moore said: “We are thrilled to have Monty and his family come and speak at the conference this year.
“Our delegates will have a unique chance to hear about the real-life immersive experience of an entire family unit – an experience that is both thrilling and worthwhile.
“Our members are in for a treat, with a keynote talk that is sure to stay in their minds long after.”
Halls added: “Responsible travel is key, not only for the people involved – both the tourists and the local communities – but also for the long-term health of the environments in which we visit.
“I feel it’s such an important time in the travel industry, and organisations like Aito have a huge responsibility in upholding standards.”
My Family and the Galapagos first aired on July 28 at 8pm on Channel 4 and runs weekly until August 11.