Joker/ViaVia NetworkA Best Practice in Sustainable Tourism

1. Network 2. Vision 3.Business Model 4.Publications 5.Contacts

Bob Elsen, CEO bob.elsen@joker.be

1. Joker/ ViaVia Network• Clusters organizations with an historic

connectedness and a shared strategy in tourism: Sustainable, Innovative, Enriching, Independent

• The result of 40 years responsible entrepreneurship build on worldwide activities, expertise and contacts

• Growth based on 4 values: Openness, Equality, Dialogue, Amazement

2. Joker/ViaVia Vision

• Tourism as leisure but even more as a way to bridge cultures and connect people: “As knowledge about and contact with the others increase, understanding and tolerance will grow”

• Integrating ‘People, Planet, Profit and Pleasure’ Committed to local wealth creation through entrepreneurship.

3. Joker/ViaVia Business Model>>>

• JOKER, 1981

• Expand your Boundaries– Active experience– Contact- oriented– Small groups (8-12pax)– Dutch, English & French– Tailor made for individuals

• Business Units– Tour operating– Flight department– Sales offices (10)

• Pioneer Sustainable Tourism Award Winner 2007/2009/2010

• ANDERS REIZEN, 1984Walk into another world

– Walking Tours – Trekking & expeditions– Active Culture Tours

• MANDARIN JOURNEYS, 2010Tailor made service to China, Japan,

Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam…. Hong Kong based

Targets 3 TO’s: - Active group Travelers - Individual Travelers - Families

- Business Travelers (66.000 clients/year)

Worldwide Network of Meeting Placesfor Travelers and Residents

Embryo for local development:• Social-economical• Cultural • Education • Internat. Exchange

•Belgium (Leuven, Brussel, Antwerpen, Mechelen)• Argentina (Buenos Aires) • Chile (Valparaiso)• China (Chengdu)• Ecuador (Tonsupa)• Honduras (Copan)• Indonesia (Yogyakarta)• Mali (Mopti)• Nepal (Kathmandu)• Nicaragua (Léon)• Peru ( Ayacucho)• Senegal (Dakar)• Tanzania (Arusha)

1. KaravaanTour Leader Institute (1971) (Certified by Governement)

2. ViaVia Tourism Academy Sustainable Tourism as tool for

Development (2001))

3. Living Stone Intercultural Entrepreneurship

Spin-off Leuven University, Joker, Cera (2005)

• KARAVAAN•Certified Tour Leader- training, recognized by Government of Flanders

• 400 Tour Leaders active worldwide

• Awareness building for Responsible Tourism

• VIAVIA TOURISM ACADEMYLeverage Sustainable Tourism for

development and more solidarity

Vocational education & training •Tourism Product Development•Strategic T Destination Mgmt •Strategic T Business Planning•Marketing & Social Media for SME•Tour guiding•Intercultural Service design

Learning Network Coördinator of High Schools Tourism in Flanders

LS INTERCULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP Leuven University, Joker and Cera

Intercultural competenceThe ability to generate appropriate and effective behavior in a given context

Intercultural praxisExecutive Education, Global Leaders Travel Added value by cross-fertilization, expanded thinking patterns, innovation, new solutions

Intercultural entrepreneurshipDeploy the integration of cultures as source for wealth creation and harmony “Entrepreneurs, Remap your Knowledge”

4. Publications

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Bob ELSEN, Ignace POLLET, Patrick DEVELTERE, Introduction by Koenraad DEBACKERE

A thought provoking book to deploy the integration of cultures as a source of welfare and

tolerance in a glocalising worldLeuven University Press 2007, 161p.

ISBN 978 90 5867 6078.

The Joker/ ViaVia Story 2011, 195pISBN 978 94 6131 0385

BOB ELSEN

JOKER GRENSVERLEGGEND

ONDERNEMEN De wereld als speelveld

Uitgeverij VAN HALEWYCK

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5. Joker/ViaVia Contacts• Joker Tourism

www.joker.be jeroen.vincken@joker.be

• ViaVia Traveler Cafés

www.viaviacafe.com dries.caems@viaviacafe.com

• ViaVia Tourism Academy vzw www.lsdialoog.com

manuel.minne@lsdialoog.com

• Living Stone Intercultural Entrepreneurship. www.lscoop.com

lutgart.dusar@lscoop.com

Address: Geerdegemvaart 96, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium

Connecting People,Bridging Cultures