DIVERSITY 

Diversity is the foundation of meaningful travel. We don’t travel to experience sameness – we explore to meet different people, hear new perspectives, and experience unique cultures. Embracing and empowering diversity, equity and inclusion is something we must all make a conscious effort towards, whether it’s during travel, at work, or in our communities.

The Travel Corporation‘s (TTC) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) journey started many years ago, and with the development of its DEI strategy, TTC has formalized goals in the following areas: People & Culture, Product & Experiences, and Marketing & Communications.

THE TRAVEL & TOURISM SECTOR IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE IN THE WORLD

employing people from all socio-economic backgrounds regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, with almost 50% of whom are women and up to 30% youths (source).

54% of U.S. Black travelers

are more likely to visit a destination if they see Black representation in travel advertising (source).

7 Ways to be more inclusive Every day

“Diversity without Inclusion is ‘Tokenism.'” Learn more >

HOW WE CAN ALL ENCOURAGE INCLUSIVITY

YOUR GOAL: LEARN ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

DIVERSITY

Diversity is what makes us unique, broadly defined as the range of similarities and differences that shape people and communities.

These include national origin, language, race, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and family structure.

Real diversity is recognizing that people aren’t a set of attributes on a spreadsheet, and that every voice is unique. It’s this approach to diversity that leads into inclusion.

INCLUSION

Inclusion builds a culture of belonging by actively inviting the contribution and participation of all people. Inclusion is where every person’s voice adds value and where everyone has a genuine sense of belonging. Greater inclusion of more voices with different experiences directly leads to more successful and fulfilling communities and institutions.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Diversity refers to how varied a community is, covering a multitude of different characteristics. That includes race, culture, gender, sexuality, and experience. At its heart, it’s about being welcoming to different worldviews.

Inclusion is when everyone feels like they belong in a community. That means that they have the opportunity to voice their opinions, that they don’t feel excluded on the basis of their identity, and that they see themselves reflected in the community’s values.

EQUITY

Equity is creating fair access, opportunity, and advancement for all.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EQUITY & EQUALITY

Equity and Equality may first appear like synonyms, but there are some essential differences.

Equality assumes that everyone is the same and treats them as such. While this sounds inclusive, it’s incredibly open to bias, and ignores demographic-specific needs.

Equity recognizes that we are all different, and that’s what makes each one of us great. Rather than blanket approaches, equity-led communities consider individual needs, while also rebalancing structures to account for disadvantages faced by minority groups.

TRAVEL

Here’s how you can empower inclusivity during your travels.

1. RESEARCH

Learn about a place’s history before you visit, so you’re aware of its past and current social issues, and you can always be respectful of its culture. 

2. UPLIFT

Seek out experiences that are owned by or employ those from underrepresented communities. This way you can support local Black, Indigenous, People of Colour and Women owned businesses and restaurants, as well as experiences that can help you hear from those with deep roots in the community’s history. 

3. GO LOCAL

Travel with a company that employs local guides that are representative of the place you are exploring. Who better to share stories of what makes their home so unique!

4. RESPECT all

Respect fellow travelers:

  • Never make assumptions about someone simply based on your perceptions and first impressions
  • Challenge stereotypes
  • Learn and honour preferred pronouns

Learn more >

5. LISTEN and learn

Listening intentionally when you mean new people, and speak more carefully. Do not interrupt, be dismissive, or over explain. Respect the time of the people you meet, including locals who have welcomed you into their homes. 

OUR GOAL:

#9: INCREASE EMPLOYEE & MARKET SENTIMENT REGARDING DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ACROSS OUR BRANDS

OUR PEOPLE

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DEI STRATEGY

 The Travel Corporation’s DEI Strategy addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion in three streams:

People & Culture: We believe that inclusivity and high performance go hand in hand, which means fostering a culture where colleagues develop, grow and advance while driving commercial success. 

Products & Experiences: Our goal is to create safe and welcoming environments in our offices, at our properties and on our trips.

♦ Marketing & Communications: Representation matters, and our goal and ambition is to ensure that across our marketing and communications we represent and showcase our customers and our supplier networks accurately and diversely.

View TTC’s DEI Strategy >

TTC IDEA

♦ In 2019 The Travel Corporation (TTC) set up a global employee resource group consisting of team members who are passionate about DEI and want to be part of positive changes at TTC. TTC IDEA stands for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action, and is led by co-chairs in each of our regional offices who act as a steering group for all of TTC’s DEI goals. Launched in March 2020, TTC IDEA is based on building community, providing support and contributing to personal and professional development in the work environment.

IGLTA

♦ TTC and our brands are a proud partner of The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA). IGLTA is a world-wide network of LGBTQ+ travel-friendly tour operators who provide free travel resources and promote equality and safety within LGBTQ+ tourism. We want all of our travellers to be able to travel on their own terms, no matter who they are, where they’re going or who they’re travelling with.

♦ This year, our TreadRight Foundation sponsored IGLTA’s inaugural Impact award, designed to recognize a business who’s made a special effort to address impact on the environment, communities and diversity & inclusion. It’s a wonderful way for two organizations to merge their own areas of focus to support one another! Learn more >

The Blacklist: Travel Experts

Sherwin Banda, President of African Travel, is part of The Blacklist: a list of Black Travel Experts created by a collective of Black travel media and publishers to lift each other and to provide further inspiration for magazines to give Black and other minority-owned business the same recognition as their white counterparts. Learn more >

OUR BRANDS

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TRAFALGAR CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL

♦ Trafalgar’s ‘Journey Along the Civil Rights Trail’ is a 9-day USA Tour starting in Memphis  and ending in Atlanta. This trip gives travellers the chance to visit the American South and immerse themselves in its music, art, food and stories, while meeting locals, exploring the sights and hearing moving first-hand stories from the Civil Rights Movement. Guests will meet activists, visit museums, and pay their respects on this vibrant cultural journey.

CONTIKI & AFRICAN TRAVEL PRIDE TRIPS

♦ Contiki’s selection of Pride trips around the world give travelers the chance to celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ communities around the world, and to learn of their perseverance throughout history to overcome adversity.  These trips are a chance to listen, learn, and put a spotlight on a global community which has been historically marginalized. Learn more > 

African Travel delivers exceptional safaris for any traveler, including the LGBTQ+ community. Places like South Africa are a haven for LGBTQ+ travelers – the “Rainbow Nation” has a liberal constitution, gay-friendly communities, cosmopolitan cities, lively culture, and a variety of beautiful natural spaces. African Travel’s Pride Safaris are created and led by specialists including LGBTQ+ experts who have lived and traveled extensively in Africa. Learn more> 

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® EXPERIENCES REDUCING INEQUALITIES

♦ MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are conscious travel experiences by The Travel Corporation’s brands which benefit both the traveler and the communities they visit, by advancing the United Nations Global Goals, in particular, UN Global Goal 5: Gender Equality and Global Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Experiences that advance Global Goal 5 help to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls. For example, on Insight Vacations’ ‘Classical India with Nepal‘ trip, guests will visit Sheroes’ Café, which is giving survivors of acid attacks in Agra an opportunity for employment and integration into the community.

Experiences that advance Global Goal 10, are addressing and/or reducing inequalities within a country. For example, on Contiki’s ‘Berlin to Budapest by Train‘ trip, guests take a Refugee Voices tour to hear the human story and root causes behind the headlines of the refugee crises and why so many are forced to flee.

CONTIKI & GIRLGAZE

♦ Contiki has joined the Girlgaze Network, collaborating with its creators to both amplify Girlgaze voices and tell the unique stories of how travel shapes identity. Founded in 2016, Girlgaze is a multi-sided platform company built on a mission – to close the gender gap, and to champion diversity, inclusion and representation across the creative industry. Learn more >

OUR FOUNDATION

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THE PATHWAYS PROJECT

♦ The TreadRight Foundation and The Travel Corporation have joined forces with industry leaders Tourism Cares, TRIP School and the Media Arts Institute of Alabama on the Pathways Project, to develop a pathway of recruiting and training historically underrepresented individuals to pursue careers in travel and tourism, with a primary focus on tour guiding and directing.

Tour guides represent the frontline of the guided tour industry. They are the essential interface between the tour operator and the guest, and critical to ensuring representation is a part of a destination’s story. The Pathways Project will recruit, train and seek to place individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds in positions such as cultural heritage tour guides, tour directors, interpreters, and storytellers.

The TreadRight Foundation  and TTC has made an initial capital contribution to kickstart this program and is eager to welcome other tour operators to join in the effort in what needs to be an industry wide initiative. The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) further announced its support of this critical initiative, citing the need to raise awareness, diversify the industry, and present opportunities for underserved communities.

RAINBOW RAILROAD

♦ The TreadRight Foundation has partnered with Rainbow Railroad, a global not-for-profit organization based in Canada and the United States whose mission is to help LGBTQI+ individuals around the world escape persecution and violence and find a pathway to safety. There are currently more than 70 countries that criminalize homosexuality or legally discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In these countries, LGBTQI+ people are routinely arrested, denied basic human rights, attacked and brutalized, and even murdered. 

TreadRight, The Travel Corporation and Rainbow Railroad have a shared commitment to diversity, inclusion, and a more equitable future for all. TreadRight’s support will further Rainbow Railroad’s ability to help an increased number of persecuted LGBTQI+ individuals find safety through its Emergency Travel Support program, help enhance partnerships with organizations working on the ground to assist migrant and asylum seekers, and provide additional support to its beneficiaries through resources including accommodation, medical care, access to essential medicines and in-country relocation. Learn more >

LAKOTA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

♦ The TreadRight Foundation has partnered with Lakota Youth Developmenta non-profit serving the youth of the Rosebud tribal nations in South Dakota. The grassroots organization, located on the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Reservation, has a mission to reclaim Lakota language, culture and spirituality by promoting education and healthy lifestyles for youth through culturally based strategies.

In addition to providing Indigenous youth with culturally specific curriculum, Lakota Youth Development offers cultural heritage tourism experiences which give visitors a chance to learn about Lakota culture while providing Lakota youth opportunities for practical experience in hospitality and tourism – a sector not widely available to them within the confines of a rural tribal community. TreadRight’s support will contribute to Lakota Youth Development’s capacity to engage with the tourism industry, expanding its reach and ability to educate more visitors on the traditional lifeways of the Lakota people. Learn more >

 

OUR PROGRESS

Our annual Impact Report details progress made by The Travel Corporation’s family of brands against the 11 goals of our 5-year sustainability strategy How We Tread Right, launched in September, 2020. Learn more >