Key travel forum speakers urge industry to build back better

With the travel industry poised to reopen internationally, speakers at May’s International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum are urging the travel sector to have a radical rethink. 

 

The five-day event, organised by social enterprise Women in Travel CIC (Community Interest Company), will focus on myriad ways corporates and individuals can avoid old business norms and create greater equality and opportunity across travel and hospitality.

 

The 2021 International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum (IWTTF) will take place May 10 – 15 (Daily, 13.00-17.00 BST, UTC +1), the week before the UK and the month that some US states are expected to resume international travel. The agenda will address and reflect the numerous diversity and inclusion challenges travel and hospitality faces as business restarts. Topics across the event programme include:

 

• Taking stock of where we are and getting ready for recovery: What can be retained in 2021 and what must be ditched forever?

• Women changing Travel and Tourism in 2020 through greater collaboration and wider innovation: How can the industry continue to build on this?

• Careers, AI, Technology and Travel: How do we ensure that women enjoy the available opportunities?

• Driving results through leadership and diversity: Tangible steps to apply to your organisation.

• How can travel brands and destinations connect and engage with diverse audiences, building authentic brand partnerships?

• How can we create inclusive destinations that are safe and enjoyable for every traveller? 

 

Forum attendees can sign up for a day or week pass, with an early bird offer available at www.womenintravelcic.com until April 12. Ticket prices range from £10 - £60 (approx. $14 – $83) when booking early, or from £15 - £100 (approx. $21 – $140) after this time.

 

Alessandra Alonso, Founder of Women in Travel (CIC), explained: “The 2021 International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum will take place May 10-15, the week before international travel is hoping to resume in the UK, as well as in areas of the US and Europe. After an appalling year, travel and hospitality is really going to have to dig deep and harness all of its talent, irrespective of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or culture. And as we get out of the restarting blocks, our industry urgently needs help to do this inclusively."

 

“Our Forum organisers and speakers live and work across the world yet are collectively passionate about our sector getting to grips with these challenges. By sharing experiences, and also case studies and tangible take-aways at IWTTF 2021 in May, we intend to drive radical change. If not now, when?“ - TradeArabia News Service