調和 - Harmony

From September 11-14, 2023, 773 delegates from around the world gathered in Sapporo, Japan for the first Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) in Asia! 

In Japan, Chōwa or Harmony is most often used to describe the collective spirit that connects people together. While the word has layers of meaning, as a cultural concept, 調和 (chōwa) is a reminder to look beyond our individuality. It asks us to place higher value on our community as a whole. It reflects core values held by the Japanese, which include harmony, mutual respect, and working together to strive toward the greater good. 

As we gathered the global adventure travel community in Hokkaido, the traditional lands of the Ainu people, we enjoyed learning how this concept of harmony can teach us to create a sustainable ecosystem of nature, communities, and economies worldwide. In looking to the future of adventure travel, we ask ourselves what will be possible when our individual intentions pursue a shared vision.

The next Adventure Travel World Summit will be held 7-10 October 2024 in Panama.