GX Cambodia opens in Phnom Penh: 600 attendees gather to spotlight community tourism

GX Cambodia opened in Phnom Penh as G Adventures' fourth annual GX Summit focused on community tourism. The event gathered about 600 people on location — travel advisors, industry partners, travellers, global staff and media — to experience how visiting a destination can provide income and support local social enterprises through responsible tourism.

The opening night took place on the grounds of Wat Phnom and included a festival fair showcasing Planeterra projects operating across Cambodia. Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, framed Cambodia as a destination that both "needs tourism" and has tourism assets that can benefit when travel is done responsibly. Delegates will travel to landmarks such as Angkor Wat, Sambor Prei Kuk and the Royal Palace, and they will visit community projects supported by Planeterra to see the local impacts of tourism.

Planeterra's role was described by Kelly Galaski, vice president, operations & head of impact, as strengthening community tourism through partnerships with travel companies. Visits by GX delegates are intended to channel income into nonprofits, social enterprises, cooperatives, women's groups and indigenous communities, supporting environmental restoration and community development projects.

Fundraising was woven into the welcome activities. Delegates raised money for Planeterra via a wish tree and a dunk tank where members of G Adventures' leadership, including president Jamie Sweeting, participated. Despite rain during the evening, organizers said spirits remained high and the event sustained the program's momentum.

Participation pathways for travel advisors at GX were outlined. The primary route to attend is selling G Adventures trips, which feeds into a Change Makers incentive that awards spots to top sellers. Alternative entry routes include purchasing a spot, booking clients on GX trips, raising funds for Planeterra via wildcard competitions, completing e-learning or winning lucky draws. Green urged travel advisors to consider G Adventures' track record and the incentives available to secure a place at future GX events.

Day, Sept. 27, after several days of site visits in Phnom Penh followed by travel to Siem Reap. Cambodia's Minister of Tourism, Huot Hak, delivered a welcome at Wat Phnom and encouraged delegates to enjoy their visits across the provinces.

Separately, Air Canada Vacations concluded a seven-city Dream Makers launch across Canada, hosting approximately 1,300 travel advisors at its final Toronto event. The roadshow presented ACV's 2026–2027 winter offerings and emphasized product and technology updates for advisors. ACV executives noted strong demand and plans for advisor-friendly tech and commission structures as priorities.

What happened in Cambodia is representative of GX's format: a concentrated mix of destination promotion, community-impact visits and industry networking designed to generate both immediate fundraising and longer-term sales momentum for host countries. Attendees leave with direct exposure to local projects and multiple ways to re-engage with GX in the future.