Ecotourism Pioneer Mandip Singh Soin to Serve as 10 Million Better Campaign Ambassador

NEW DELHI - June 26, 2015 - PRLog -- Mandip Singh Soin, founder of Ibex Expeditions, India, has been appointed an Ambassador for the industry-wide 10 Million Better campaign launched by Sustainable Travel International, a US-based nonprofit organization, to improve lives and protect places through travel and tourism.

Charting a new course for the travel and tourism industry, 10 Million Better, has set a goal to improve the lives of at least 10 million people by 2025. The campaign is the first to convene like-minded travel and tourism leaders, corporations, organizations, and destinations around a shared vision of a just and accountable industry demonstrating tangible impacts on a large scale, including growth in income and opportunity, and better protection of destinations’ natural, cultural and heritage sites.

Also for the first time, there is a new UN mandate to achieve this, and a new urgency and willingness for the industry to act in concert. The campaign will encourage stakeholders to set their own goals for improving lives, and to monitor and report their progress. To enable destinations and businesses to track and share their results and demonstrate collective impact, Sustainable Travel International is developing an open-source Impact Monitoring System.

Mandip Singh Soin is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a recipient of numerous awards including the Citation of Merit by the Explorers Club, USA, and the Founding President of the Ecotourism Society of India, as well as the founder of Ibex Expeditions, which engages with local communities in a sustainable way to provide responsible adventure, safari and luxury travel in India.

“Mandip is an explorer, mountaineer, ecotourism pioneer, and adventure travel guru,” said Brian Mullis, Executive Board Chair and Founder of Sustainable Travel International. “His passion and experience will add depth and influence to the campaign in India, and he brings a strong, unifying voice to catalyze positive social and environmental change in the industry.”

“Since 2002, Sustainable Travel International has helped communities, hotels, airlines, cruise lines and governments to chart their roadmaps for responsible growth,” said Mandip Singh Soin. “They have helped destinations and corporations protect the natural and cultural assets on which the travel and tourism industry depends, enhancing the experience of millions of visitors and improving the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe.”

Mr. Singh Soin joins other distinguished tourism professionals as Ambassadors to the 10 Million Better campaign, including Andrea Pinabell, VP of Sustainability Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, and Nigel Pilkington, Director of PR & Communications Skål International. Other industry leaders that have joined the campaign include Carlson, Delaware North and Intrepid Travel, as well the environmental organization Sierra Club. The Sustainable Travel Leadership Network and Sustainable Destination Leadership Network, whose members include such brands as A&K, Globus, Finnair, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and United Airlines, have also committed to the campaign.