With the fringe event, whilst I haven’t been there and hence may be speaking to something already happeneing, it is important to keep “eyes wide open” and to keep it inclusive and challenged. Much I have seen in tourism is about tourism people speaking to tourism people.

For the Fringe, they need to actively recruit in people from outside tourism (from the arts, from architecture & design, from the environemnt movement, from politics etc.) and ensure the agenda does not end being hijacked by a small group of tourism experts…. all with much the same views, and talking to each other.

Cheers…….. Len

Though agree, it is just one aspect to what needs to take place. The next step is the conversation/debate about HOW we are going to do this, taking in the knowledge of all, particularly those on the ground, those out there trying new things, making mistakes, and trying again.

I think this is where the Fringe Travel Network becomes so important, and the place perhaps where these discussions need to begin. Hopefully then, by next year, these discussions would have reached a wider audience, and they become an important aspect to events like WTM.

I do agree with Ron that it would be great to see some more controversial discussions taking place, but I must say often audience questions following a discussion can quite provocative. The discussions I attended yesterday were interesting but didn\’t really leave me feeling as though I\’d learnt anything or been exposed to a great new point of view. I gained little from attending except that others were thinking about the same things as me.

I always end up leaving WTM a bit jaded. The ICRT climbed into bed with WTM organisers a long time ago, that\’s the reason that responsible tourism has gained such exposure at the event which is great but… the ICRT is all over it. Hosting debates, sitting in the audience, publicising the projects of its alumni. It always frustrates me a little.