04
ACADEMIC
Prof. Geoffrey Lipman
Co-Founder at The SUNx Program and President of SUNx Malta
Geoffrey Lipman was the former Exec. Director IATA: First President WTTC: Ass. Secretary General UNWTO and is currently Co-founder and President at SUNx Malta (Strong Universal Network). As Executive Director at IATA in the 1970's he helped drive a new liberalization agenda, responding to airline deregulation.
As the first President of WTTC throughout the 1990's, he worked to pioneer new systems of measuring the sector, creating CSR Certification and supporting China’s efforts to open Tourism markets. As Assistant Secretary General of UNWTO, in the first decade of this millennium, he spearheaded new development support systems, led the Davos Climate Summit and launched G20 Summit recognition program.
As Co-founder of SUNx Strong Universal Network, a legacy project of Maurice Strong, in this global initiative to support Climate Resilience, related SDG’s and Emergency Response through Climate Friendly Travel ~ Measured: Green: 2050proof.
He served on public / private sector Boards in Africa, Europe, Middle East and Canada and worked closely with the World Economic Forum since the early 90's on its Competitiveness and Smart Travel activities. He has written/lectured widely on tourism strategy, sustainability & liberalization; co-author/ editor of two books and numerous journal articles on Green Growth & Travelism as a visiting Professor, Victoria U. Australia and Hasselt U. Belgium. Recently, he became an envoy for the Sustainable Tourism Global Council, Saudi Arabia.