About

Welcome to Women in Travel CIC, a UK-based, award-winning social enterprise dedicated to fostering inclusion in the travel and tourism industry, by connecting underserved, diverse female and non-binary talent to employers and enterprising opportunities.

We partner with employers and charities to champion the cause of ALL women+, particularly those who are marginalized, vulnerable, or underrepresented. In collaboration with our esteemed partners, we provide women with visibility, confidence, access to training, mentoring, and ultimately, pathways to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

• DEI Leadership, Training and Consulting
• Events, IWTTF & Awards, Lunch N Learn Online Webinars and Educational Activities
• Mentoring and Allyship (for individuals and corporations)
• Enterprising and employability programmes (connecting organisations to our most vulnerable yet talented candidates).

The travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors often grapple with the challenge of finding skilled staff, a struggle that has been exacerbated by Brexit and the impact of Covid. We rise to this challenge by offering a solution – connecting employers with a diverse pool of skilled individuals eager to re-enter the workforce.

As a social enterprise, our mission aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically targeting Gender Equality (Goal 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 8), and Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10). We are committed to economically empowering women from disadvantaged backgrounds by facilitating their entry into the dynamic fields of Travel, Tourism, Hospitality, and Events.

Alessandra Alonso, the multi-award-winning founder and Managing Director of Women in Travel CIC, stands at the forefront of revolutionizing gender diversity in the Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality sectors. Boasting a rich background with over two decades of experience, Alessandra’s journey began as a trainee in Tourism at the European Commission, leading to senior roles at esteemed organizations such as The World Travel & Tourism Council and KPMG.

In 2004, Alessandra co-founded Shine, a consultancy dedicated to promoting gender diversity, and initiated the Shine Awards for Women’s Achievement in Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality. Her commitment to empowering women culminated in the establishment of Women in Travel CIC in 2017, which has since become a trailblazing force in the industry.

Recognizing the importance of collaboration, our Male Allyship Network is devoted to empowering Senior Male Leaders to become visible Allies and mentor the talent of all women+ irrespective of their background, diversity, disability, orientation, or ethnicity.

Visit our website to learn more about how Women in Travel CIC is making a difference!