Bruce Poon Tip, Founder and CEO, G.A.P Adventures
In 1990, Bruce Poon Tip founded G.A.P Adventures in order to deliver an authentic travel experience to travellers, who, like himself, craved adventures that went beyond all-inclusive resorts.
Since then, G.A.P Adventures has grown to become a world leader in adventure travel, offering more than 1,000 small group experiences, safaris and expeditions on all 7 continents to more than 85,000 travellers a year. The company’s worldwide adventures focus on cultural interaction, wildlife encounters, and active travel. G.A.P Adventures’ revenue now totals over $120 million and the company has offices around the world with a staff of 600 employees all of whom share Bruce’s passion for travel.
Bruce's numerous speaking engagements have included an invitation from the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders' Forum to present at the inaugural United Nations World Tourism Organization Seminar on Ethics in Tourism, presenting at the UNWTO Conference on Climate Change and Tourism in Switzerland, and speaking at the UN World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development. At the request of the World Bank and UNESCO, Bruce has been asked to lecture in China on Sustainable Development and has also presented at the United Nations launch of The Year Of Eco Tourism in New York City. Among his many business awards, Bruce has been honoured with Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Innovative Executive of the Year, and has been recognized one of the Top 100 Leaders of Tomorrow. G.A.P Adventures has been named as one of the country’s 50 Best Managed Companies and as a Top 100 Employer. Bruce has also been presented with the Global Traders Leadership award for excellence in exporting and international business. National Geographic Adventure recently rated G.A.P Adventures as the “Best Do It All Outfitter” on Earth in an international competition and for six consecutive years, this prestigious magazine has selected a G.A.P Adventures tour as one of its 25 Best New Adventure Trips of the Year. G.A.P Adventures is universally recognized as an industry leader in sustainable tourism and community development. Through its non-profit foundation, Planeterra, the company is dedicated to making a positive difference to the lives of people around the world through support of international charities, local organizations and community projects.
In recognition of this dedication to ethical business practices and sustainable tourism, G.A.P Adventures has been named by Condé Nast Traveler magazine on its annual Green List, which selects its winners based on their commitment to environmental initiatives, contributions to local communities, and quality of the guest experience. G.A.P Adventures has also received the prestigious Ethics In Action Award for its use of small-scale accommodation, local transportation and support of locally owned and operated low impact businesses.
Through G.A.P Adventures, Bruce carries on raising the bar in an industry that he not only pioneered, but continues to lead.