2007 New Pioneers Awards SfCarchive
Channel: SkillsforchangeArchive SfC
Date: 2007-06-18

Bruce Poon Tip (Entrepreneurship)

In 1970, when Bruce Poon Tips family came to Canada from Trinidad, they encountered not only cultural differences but financial hurdles  his parents had to find housing and employment while caring for seven children.

At the age of 22, Mr. Poon Tip moved to Toronto to start G.A.P Adventures, a one-person operation offering a few tours to South America. He believed that, like himself, many others would want to experience real world travel  seeking adventure and authentic experiences. As a start-up company, he faced financing and credibility challenges due to his age. Undaunted, he forged on with his dream.

Today, G.A.P Adventures offers thousands of small group adventures, safaris and expeditions on all seven continents, with revenue approaching $100 million and a network of nearly 500 employees around the world. G.A.P Adventures offers low impact, grassroots experiences, with a focus on culture, nature and active travel, to over 50,000 passengers a year. G.A.P Adventures sustainable style of travel means that it strives to ensure all tours have minimal impact on the environment, respects local people and cultures, offers economic benefit to local businesses and communities, provides a memorable experience for travelers, and protects destinations for future generations.

Mr. Poon Tip has been named among Profit Magazines Top 10 Canadian Entrepreneurs in the past 25 years and in the Top 40 Under 40 list. In 2002 and 2006, he received the Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The company has also been honoured - for the past five years its trips have made National Geographics Best New Adventures List and in 2006, CondeNast Traveler named G.A.P Adventures in its 12th annual Green List. G.A.P Adventures has also been recognized for the past two years as one of Canadas 50 Best Managed Companies, Canadas Top 100 Employers, and Canadas Top 10 Employers for Young People.

In 2003, G.A.P Adventures launched its non-profit foundation, Planeterra, which supports community projects and non-profit organizations in countries around the world, focusing on health, education, childcare, environmental conservation, and employment skills training.