The managing director of the cruise agency – who was recognised at this year’s TTG Luxury Travel Awards with the Contribution to Luxury Travel accolade – said The Compass Project is designed to boost diversity and social mobility within the cruise industry, and is adding a second school to its programme for 2024.
The initiative, which has been created by Lonsdale and her husband Matthew, was first staged in 2023 when pupils from socially diverse backgrounds at St John Bosco College in Battersea, London, visited two ships and took part in training and development classes.
Edwina Lonsdale told TTG Luxury that Year 12 pupils from St John Bosco would be taking part again this year, alongside students from Itchen College in Southampton.
“This year there will 12 students from each school taking part,” she explained. “As the years go by we hope to take on other schools in other areas, such as Birmingham and Manchester.”
Graham Sadler, formerly EMEA managing director of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, will work with the pupils from Itchen College on this year’s programme. This will include two ship visits in May and June with further details set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
“We’re just finalising the programme and we will bring the schools together for the ship visits,” added Lonsdale. “It’s all about creating inspiration and aspiration. We want to show what the opportunities are in the cruise industry and just how exciting it is to work in this sector.
“The next steps are really for us to create apprenticeships and internships. If we get two people a year eventually working in travel - specifically in cruise - that’s a good result.”
One of last year’s participating students also completed a work placement with the PR42 public relations agency, which represents cruise industry organisation Clia.
Clia is one of the supporters of The Compass Project alongside a host of major cruises lines and other organisations in the maritime sector.
Lonsdale added she had also recently held a presentation for pupils at St John Bosco College who are being encouraged to apply for a place on the programme.
“There’s nothing as challenging as a room full of 17-year-olds - we’ve been told they are a particularly serious year group and the room felt quite engaged. Hopefully we have inspired them to apply,” she added.
Check out the full list of winners of the 2024 TTG Luxury Travel Awards here.
