AMMAN — The opening of G Adventures’ third annual GX Summit was particularly noteworthy this year – as it also marked the company’s 35th anniversary.
Last night G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip welcomed more than 600 travel industry and travel enthusiasts, nearly double what the company hosted in India in 2024.
“This year is super special as it’s a double celebration,” said Poon Tip, “and the hero this year is Jordan. Due to geopolitical happenings in the region, tourism is significantly down in the desert kingdom. “Jordan needs tourism and we are excited to show you Jordan,” he added. “I love the power that we can use with GX to be able to help bring tourism back. We did it with Peru two years ago.”
For the first night of GX, an outdoor space in Amman was transformed into a bustling souk emulating the local market scene
Poon Tip and his team at G Adventures launched GX, what he defines as the world’s first global community tourism summit, in 2023 in Peru. According to the company, GX brings together a global community of travellers, media, agents, creators, staff and suppliers to celebrate, and see first-hand the power that community tourism can have in a destination.
“We’re here to celebrate the power of tourism and just how powerful it can be. Like these community projects here tonight, the work that we do, the community development and community tourism – it’s something we’ve been specializing in for 35 years. And we’re going to have fun. Just let it happen this week,” he said.
A whirling dervish performance dazzled at the opening of GX in Jordan
GX attendees were treated to a spectacular evening at GX got underway. An outdoor space in Amman, the country’s capital, was transformed into a bustling souk emulating the local market scene, celebrating Jordanian culture, complete with food stalls, local arts and crafts, a wandering date juice seller who poured the sweet mixture from an oversized silver teapot with a flourish, and finally a whirling dervish performance.
It was also an opportunity to meet community members and their women-led businesses, network with fellow colleagues in the travel industry and get to know many of the G Adventures team from Canada, Australia, the UK, the U.S. and Europe.
A DJ kept the party energy high and it was a joyous reunion for many attendees who attended last year’s GX.
Speaking of fun, at the InterContinental Jordan, where the GX attendees spent their first night, rooms featured cheeky do not disturb signs ‘Don’t Come In – Amman a Break’, and a sticker on the bathroom mirror hinted at our next stop on this GX tour of Jordan: “You’re fun. You’re daring. And Jerash looks great!”
“On top of all that, it’s a bit of an emotional time for me,” says Poon Tip. “It’s a celebration and a birthday in one.” Happy birthday, indeed.
Watch for more coverage from the 2025 GX Summit in Jordan in Travelweek Daily
GX attendees had the opportunity to meet community members and their women-led businesses on the first night of the Jordan summit