With just days to go until international travel resumes in many countries across the globe, the International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum (IWTTF) offers the tourism sector a timely chance to get together and discuss ways to build back better by placing gender equality and inclusion at the heart of recovery.

IWTTF 2021 will take place from Monday 10 May – Friday 14 May (Daily, 13.00-17.00 BST, UTC +1) and speakers at the digital Forum are urging the travel sector to join the event and debate to discuss how the industry can rebuild for the better using its collective power. The five-day event, organised by social enterprise Women in Travel CIC (Community Interest Company), will address themes such as diversifying travel and building a better future for the travel industry as a whole, to stimulate discussion and actionable solutions.

Forum attendees can sign up for a day or week pass at www.womenintravelcic.com until 12pm on Thursday 6 May. Ticket prices range from £15 – £100 (approx. $21 – $140).

Day one will offer the chance for attendees to reflect and have their say on the industry’s route to recovery. Beginning with the Forum’s keynote on Regenerative Leadership given by Laura Storm, Founder of Regenerators, co-author of Regenerative Leadership and WEF Young Global Leader, guests will then have the opportunity to take part in a dynamic Q&A session. Other programme highlights 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?

On Saturday 15 May, Forum attendees are also invited to experience a women-led virtual Ethiopian cooking class and celebration of Ethiopian culture. Earlier this year, Women in Travel teamed up with Intrepid Travel to launch three new London day tours, giving three women from Ethiopia, Morocco and Albania the life-changing opportunity to take their first steps in the tourism industry and embark on a career as tour guides. Now, Forum guests can join Intrepid Travel tour guide Sefanit, live from her home in London as she teaches about the culture and traditions of her Ethiopian heritage. Tours depart at 11.00am and 17.00pm BST. Each departure is limited to 8 people and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis to those who have signed up to the Forum event.

Speaking about the Forum, Alessandra Alonso, Founder of Women in Travel CIC says: “In 2021 the International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum is more relevant than ever. The events of the last 18 months have impacted the travel and tourism sector globally, especially women and minority groups. Collaboration will be key to the industry’s recovery. Women in Travel hopes the Forum will provide a space for the industry to come together to share ways to rebuild and reinvent the sector, whilst enhancing the full contribution of women to the workplace. Now is the time to use your voice to make a difference. What should travel embrace, change or leave behind?”

For further information and to book your place at the
International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum
, visit www.iwttf.com

ENDS

For interviews and media access to the event, email [email protected]

For further information about Women in Travel, visit www.womenintravelcic.com

NOTE TO EDITORS
Image Captions:
Image 1: Alessandra Alonso, Founder of Women in Travel CIC.
Image 2: Martinique Lewis, Diversity in Travel Consultant & President of Black Travel Alliance will speak on the panel session ‘How Can We Create Inclusive Destinations?’.
Image 3: Forum attendees can experience a women-led virtual tour celebrating Ethiopian culture, with Intrepid Travel tour guide Sefanit Mengiste.

About Women in Travel
Women in Travel (CIC) started life as a gender-focused platform at World Travel Market 2014 in London. Growing successfully from then onwards, in 2017 it was incorporated as a social enterprise dedicated to empowering women through employability and entrepreneurship in Travel Tourism and Hospitality. Its vision is to become a catalyst for sustainability by placing women at the heart of an industry which is inherently attractive to females and growing at a fast pace. It is the brainchild of Alessandra Alonso, who has been recognised as a trailblazer when it comes to gender diversity in the industry and who has supported women in maximising their opportunity in the travel, tourism, and hospitality (TTH) industry for well over a decade. Women in Travel partners with employers and charities to provide the first Women Returners service through which the industry can access a pool of marginalised but often highly skilled women who are eager to get back to work. Women in Travel also runs entrepreneurship-focused events, mentoring and networking supporting start-up and early-stage female entrepreneurs and those wanting to start a business, particularly of BAME background. In January 2020, Women in Travel hosted the first International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum in Iceland, where Iceland’s First Lady was the keynote speaker.

For further media information, images or interview opportunities please contact:
GEC PR | [email protected]