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The past 12 months have taught travel professionals many things — one of them being that there needs to be more diversity in the industry. Much more. To that end, the Tourism Diversity Matters (TDM) organization launched this month. Headed up by some of the travel world’s most influential leaders, TDM’s goal is to “address the blind spots of ethnic disparities and provide decision-makers in the tourism and events industry access, resources, and tactics to develop more effective Diversity & Inclusion strategies that will engage and retain a diverse workforce.”
The luxury travel industry is dealing with its own diversity issues, as well — and it’s time to address some of the more problematic sides of the sector, says Travel + Leisure. “How can an industry that celebrates culture and diversity abroad ignore the need for it in their own marketing?” asks Margie Jordan, a luxury travel agency owner and educator based in Jacksonville, Florida. “You can’t travel to a culturally rich destination raving about the experience and come home color-blind.”
When it comes to supporting diversity in the travel agent space, it can be tough to know where to start. "Be conscious of what's happening in the world, what's happening in the U.S.," says Black Travel Alliance board member Ursula Petula Barzey, in an interview with Travel Weekly’s Jamie Biesiada. "And then do the right thing." Read Biesiada’s article and get the changes going.
To make the travel world a more diverse space, it’s vital that everyone in the industry listen to voices beyond their own bubbles. A great way to expand your horizons? Podcasts. It’s here that the challenges and pleasures of traveling are being discussed in detail. Check out just a handful of great travel podcasts hosted by diverse voices.
Meet the woman highlighting Black And African history across six continents.