The TTG Fairer Travel Diversity Forum will take place during Fairer Travel Week, in association with the Spanish Tourist Office, on 8 July, at PwC’s Embankment offices in London.
As with the TTG Fairer Travel Sustainability Forum (taking place in London on 7 July), there will be a real focus on the “how” rather than the “why”, with the day split into three sections, concentrating on the workplace, selling travel and a series of workshops.
The day will kick off with a presentation by PwC’s chief inclusion, community and wellbeing officer Sarah Churchman OBE, who will consider the latest findings of an exclusive TTG/PwC report and examine how travel measures up to other sectors.
She will be followed by a session offering practical tips for businesses, focusing on the old adage: “What gets measured gets done”, with speakers including Dr Tamsyn Dent, postdoctoral research fellow, Kings College London; Sajeeda Merali, CEO, PPA; Joanna Aunon, director, WiHTL; and Phil Donnelly, chief people officer, Travelport.
Keynote speaker Labour MP Taiwo Owatemi, shadow minister for women and equalities will then take the stage for an interview discussing her work championing women and equality; her passion for diversity, equity and inclusion; and the work Labour is doing to keep D&I on the national agenda.
After a short break, the morning will continue with a switch from the workplace to focus on selling travel.
It will begin with a presentation by Angus Drummond, founder of Limitless Travel, who will discuss his own story as an investment banker diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of 22. After quitting his job and donning his backpack, Drummond travelled the world. It was during this period that his mobility began to decline. Drummond decided travel should not be exclusively available for the able-bodied – and Limitless Travel was born.
Drummond will follow his session by joining a panel discussion featuring Dr Albert Kimbu, reader, head of department of tourism and transport, University of Surrey and Melissa Tilling, chief executive at Charitable Travel discussing how travel businesses can create more inclusive travel experiences, from improving the travel experience for black and ethnic minority travellers, to considering the challenges faced by the transgender community, as well as top tips for how businesses can make travel more accessible.
The conference will then break for lunch before returning in the afternoon for a series of workshops.
As with the rest of the day, the workshops will focus on the “how” rather than the “why”, with practical steps for businesses to start implementing real change.
Four workshops will run concurrently, with delegates choosing to attend two.
Topics will range from recruitment and how to widen your talent pool to marketing tips as well as LGBT+ travel.
The TTG Fairer Travel Diversity Forum will take place on 8 July at PwC’s Embankment offices in London, in association with the Spanish Tourist Office as well as Chillimix and Siren Communications.
For more information on Fairer Travel Week click here.
