2021 Programme

BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM

• Please refer to the specific page

• Hosted by WIT CIC – By Invitation

In 2020 women have played a central role in keeping communities together. The travel and tourism sector has witnessed greater collaboration, stronger community building, widespread innovation and greater focus on inclusion and social justice.

How can we build on this positive outcomes to ensure the industry continues to thrive with all women and all individual at its core?

• Aisha Shaibu, Founder, Moonlight Experiences & Head of Community, UK Black Pride
• JoAnna Haugen – Founder, Rooted
• Lola Akerstrom – Co-Founder, Local Purse, Author and Photographer
• Casey Hanisko – President, ATTA
• Sophie Hartman – International Aid Network Coordinator ASSET – H&C
• Moderator – Mariette du Toit Helmbold, Founder, Destinate

15:15 to 15:20 – Short break with video showcase

• Alessandra Alonso – MD, Women in Travel cic
• Klaudija Janzelj – Acting MD Urban Adventures/Intrepid
• Guergana Stoycheva, Operations Manager
• Aurela Hoxhaj, London Tour Guide
• Sefanit Mengiste, London Tour Guide

• Alessandra Alonso – MD, Women in Travel cic

TALENT THROUGH A GENDER AND INCLUSION LENS

The representation of females in the (travel) technology sector still has a long way to go. A recent Tech Nation report that looked into diversity in UK tech companies revealed that 77% of tech director roles are filled by men; only 19% of the tech workforce are women and this figure is as low as 3% and 5% for black and Hispanic women and Asian women.
Research by PwC also says that only 3% of females think that technology is their first choice and only 16% of females are suggested to consider technology as a career versus 33% of males. . Globally 54% of women say that the pandemic is making it harder for them to break into the tech industry and in the pandemic women in the tech industry were twice as likely to be furloughed or laid off than their male counterparts. So how do our panelists choose a career in technology and travel from day1? And why should you also consider this opportunity and what are the benefits and the opportunities?

If you are seeking to work in travel and are thinking technology is not for you, please think again and join us for this insightful panel featuring up-and-coming leaders from the world of technology and travel!

• Dr Mariana Aldrigu – University of Sao Paulo, Board Chair Consehlo Turismo Fecomercio SP
• Carolina Yamauti – Operations Manager, SPUTNiK
• Sarah Stimpfl, Student Ambassador ITT Future You

Travel is increasingly reliant on technology at every levels. In 2020, we have seen technology taking centre stage in our workplace and even the most reluctant amongst us have succumbed to the use of Zoom, digital platforms and other tech.

Women in travel technology however remain an oddity. Specifically, women do not associate travel and tourism with technology and often perceive technology as being outside their comfort zone.Yet, it is well known that technology enables a more equitable recruitment process that benefits all women

Our distinguished panel will address what can be done to change the perception and promote travel tech careers and how we can use technology to empower women.

• Beth Taylor – Vice President, Corporate Marketing at MicroStrategy
• Zara Zamani – Head of disruptive technology, Metabytes
• Rita Varga – Managing Director of Raizup
• Caroline Mather – Marketing Director OAG
• Joseph Williams – Founder & CEO, IncludeAI
• Moderated by Edward Lines – Manager, Travel, Google

15:15 to 15:20 – Short break with video showcase

Learn how ATPCO, who provides the world-leading airline software for pricing and shopping data to airlines, GDSs, travel agencies, and tech companies, has accelerated their focus on adding more diversity to their talent to drive results.

Let’s talk inclusion, diversity, and leadership. Join ATPCO’s travel leaders and change makers as they share how they are driving results through different programs including Lead From the Front, Women in Technology, and multiple grassroots initiatives. Hear their stories focusing on mentoring, creating leadership opportunities, and developing a more inclusive community to drive better business decisions.

You’ll walk away with tangible steps on how to apply those tactics at your organization and get inspired.

• • Ulyana Uebersezig, Strategic Programs Manager, ATPCO
  • Seth Anagnostis, Head of Retailing, ATPCO
  • Christine Hudson, Commercial Operations Manager, ATPCO
  • Anne Kolodziej, Business Development Manager, ATPCO

• Claire Steiner, Board Director of the Institute of Travel & Tourism

HOW DO WE BUILD AN INCLUSIVE TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY?

Travel and tourism by its intrinsic nature is all about connecting people from across the globe and we often say that people and culture is at the heart of a destination. So by its very nature the travel industry should be leading the charge for diversity and inclusion, but as you delve deeper this is not reflected in the travel companies and travel media who promote the world around us.

Following the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA in May 2020 and subsequent BLM movement, recycled conversations around racial inequality, social injustice, structural and institutionalised racism against People of Colour have been sparked. With only one in 33 leaders in the travel, hospitality and leisure industries in the UK identifying as being from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background, as compared to 1 in 8 in the UK population, it’s time to push diversity in the travel industry to the top of the agenda as we rebuild and reimagine a better travel industry.

To have the most successful and well-rounded travel industry, representation of minority groups within the industry must improve. To invoke this change, the majority must help, support and advocate for the minority. If engaged correctly, allies hold the power and the key to stimulate positive change.

• Jamie-Lee Abtar – Executive Director for Bame, Women in Travel cic
• Eulanda Osagiede – Co-founder, HDYTI
• Uwern Jong – Editor-In-Chief, OutThere
• Rachel Luff – Global Inclusion Learning, Strategy Lead, Expedia Group

• Hosted by Google
• Pre-registered attendees

With an increased awareness and value placed on diversity following the #MeToo movements and the events surrounding #BlackLivesMatter there has been a lot of discussion around diversity, inclusion and what does good, inclusive marketing that reaches diverse audiences looks like. This panel will explore how travel brands and destinations can connect and engage with diverse audiences, building authentic brand partnerships as well as case studies and insights from the industry.

• Finnbar Cornwall – Head of Travel , Google
• Albert Kimbu – Senior Lecturer, Tourism, University of Surrey
• Jamie-Lee Abtar – Executive Director for Bame, Women in Travel cic
• Cecelia Adjei – Global Brand Partnerships Manager, VisitBritiain, VisitEngland
• Moderated by Juliet Kinsman – Sustainability Editor, Conde Nast Traveller and Founder, Bouteco

15:15 to 15:20 – Short break with video showcase

Access, skin-colour, social justice, religion, health, sexual orientation, all these and more can be reasons to discriminate travellers, Therefore destinations will be increasingly scrutinised as to how well they welcome visitors and deal with unwanted risk. Those who do not, will ultimately lose reputation and tourism dollars. But how do we ensure that destinations are safe and enjoyable for every traveller?

• Rhiannon Parker – COO, Intertek
• Martinique Lewis – Diversity in Travel Consultant & president, Black Travel Alliance
• Susie Albin-Najera – Manager of Los Cabos Tourism Board
• Katie Neeves – Trans Ambassador
• Moderated by Dr Rebecca Hawkins, Associate Director, Women in Travel cic

• Jamie-Lee Abtar – Executive Director for Bame, Women in Travel cic

THEME – USING MENTORING TO EMPOWER YOURSELF AND YOUR CAREER

• Alessandra Alonso – MD, Women in Travel cic
• Danela Zagar – global brand manager, Intimina

• By Invitation
• Daniel Pearce, CEO and Owner of TTG Media
• Hugh King, Director of Business Development, UK & Europe, Battleface

“Belonging: The Key to Transforming and Maintaining Diversity, Inclusion and Equality at Work”

There’s never been more discussion around diversity and inclusion in the workplace. From gender pay gaps and the #MeToo movement to Black Lives Matter, it seems that every organization has finally recognised that lasting change needs to happen. Various studies show that the most successful and productive senior management teams are those which are truly diverse and eclectic. Yet there remains only 11 female CEOs of FTSE 100 boards, and only 10 BAME people working in leadership roles across companies in the FTSE 100. While there has been a clear shift in attitudes, actual progress towards more inclusive workspaces has been excruciatingly slow and, in some cases, has grinded to a halt. Following extensive research and interviews at over 200 international businesses, Kathryn Jacob, Sue Unerman and Mark Edwards will discuss both, why the missing element to diversity is more men getting involved and the tool to turn the men in power into allies as we battle discrimination, harassment, pay gaps, and structural racism and patriarchy at every level of the workplace. The lessons in this book will help us work together to build a better workplace where everyone feels they belong.

Belonging has been called ‘the most important business book of the year’ by Esquire magazine

https://instagram.com/BelongingBook

• Mark Edwards, Author & Coach
• Kathryn Jacob OBE, Author & CEO of Pearl&Dean
• Sue Unerman – Author; Chief Transformation Officer, Mediacom
• Q&A moderated by Toby Horry, Group Brand Director, TUI

15:15 to 15:20 – Short break with video showcase

Last year in Iceland we launched reverse mentoring sessions that proved extremely valuable to all participants. Join us again today for the possibility to talk and swap experiences with senior travel and tourism leaders who want to hear from you!
Please note that you will be assigned automatically to a mentoring table and will have the opportunity to talk to the group in a close environment.

• Preregistered Attendees Breakout rooms

• • Recap and Close of Day 5
  • Key learnings from the week
  • Outcomes & New Projects
  • Social programme

• Alessandra Alonso , Founder IWTTF
• Zina Bencheikh, MD EMEA Intrepid Group

VIRTUAL / IN PERSON TOURS by Intrepid

To book the tour as a IWTTF attendee please watch out for emails on Friday 7

• • Sefanit Mengiste