Tomorrow in Montego Bay, Jamaica the UNWTO Summit on Jobs and Inclusive Growth will start. Delegated are arriving today (Sunday) from around the world.

Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, SUNx Co-founder, Professor Geoffrey Lipman is one of them and will present 3 innovative ways to help Caribbean Tourism respond to the climate led Hurricane disasters.

Lipman said “Planning must now assume repeat threats, with climate change an increasing factor and response preparations a must.” He added “We are entering an age where Impact-Travel ~ measured: green: 2050 proof ~ will be the new norm”

He identified the following innovative concepts from SUNx designed to support climate resilient travel and tourism systems that could be deployed in the Caribbean.

SUNx Exchange a Climate, Learning, Innovation and Resilience strategy system. It is based on a network of cloud connected, solar powered pre-fabricated Centres for local Community focus, managed by bright next generation climate change champions. Shipped in a single container, they can be set up rapidly, without extensive machinery. The proof of concept SUNx Centre is being established in Belgium’s National Park in Q4 2017. A Caribbean Centre could be established in early 2018; and would play an important and strengthening role in advancing climate resilient Impact-Travel in the region. We plan a roll-out of SUNx Centres across UN regions in 2018/19 and Belt and Road states after that. The ultimate target is for at least one SUNx Centre in every country by 2030, geared to the SDG and Paris Accord programs.

SME Fast Funding The first challenge is to rebuild the tourism economy. SME’s employ a vast number of the labour population, and are diverse, spanning many different industries, geographies and financials profiles. They are vital for economic recovery, yet frequently face regulatory or business barriers to funding. Our partner 1st Global Capital has a strong track record in developing innovative products and electronic support systems, to get funds quickly into the hands of merchants, working in close collaboration with Caribbean Governments and Insurance Companies.

Resilience Education – 105 graduate trainees will be enrolled in our Impact-Travel Lifetime Learning System, designed to provide graduate training in climate change response. 5 will receive $3000 Maurice Strong Legacy Scholarships.

The Strong Universal Network SUNx, is a program of the EU based, not for profit Green Growth and Travelism Institute, and a legacy to the late Maurice Strong – sustainable development pioneer. Its goal is to promote Climate Resilient, Impact-Travel with good & bad effects measured and managed coherently: with Green Growth at the core and, 2050-proof in line with the Paris Accords and the W.E.F. 4th Industrial Revolution.

1st Global Capital (1GC) was established in 2014 to respond to this need and fill a void in the market. In 3 years we have grown from a $15 million per annum financier, to one of the larger funders in the industry, currently pacing to finance more than $200 million in 2017.

Geoffrey Lipman is also president of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) Membership is complimentary. ICTP Chairman Juergen Steinmetz is attending the Summit in Jamaica.