2024's Most Influential Women in Travel

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 4:20 PM ET, Wed March 6, 2024

As 2024 unfolds, there continues to be a diverse array of complex challenges facing the world and the travel industry.

Women’s rights, racial justice, geo-political instability, and climate change all remain pressing top line issues the world over. And the travel industry, which accounts for 7.6 percent of the global GDP, must not only navigate these issues during day-to-day operations, but also do its part to think about the bigger picture and advance solutions.

The individuals who make up 2024’s list of the most influential women in travel have heard the call. And they are boldly leading the way.

This year’s winners are an incredibly diverse group, both in terms of their backgrounds and their individual missions.

Among the two dozen industry leaders selected by TravelPulse for 2024 you’ll find trailblazers who have dedicated themselves to a broad range of causes including: Meaningfully supporting small, women-owned businesses in destinations around the world; uplifting women in their travel industry careers, and empowering women to travel solo and do so boldly. Still other women on this list have established non-profit organizations focused on critically important missions such as transforming the way hotels connect with local communities.

Educating travelers about how to explore the world more thoughtfully and with a heightened awareness of their impact on host communities and the environment is also top of mind for leaders who make up this year's group of winners, as is ensuring that non-binary individuals who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), LGBTQ+, and/or disabled, have equal opportunities within the travel industry. And these are just some of the many areas and focuses being addressed by 2024's fascinating group of leaders.

Bold. Visionary. Fearless. Those are the traits and characteristics of the women who make up 2024's winners.

In honor of Women's History Month, TravelPulse continues is annual tradition of shining a light on the most influential women in the travel industry today. Each of the 24 women chosen for 2024 was named by peers as a leader, change maker, and visionary.

At TravelPulse's request, the women being honored shared a few insights about accomplishments that make them most proud and their goals for the future. Here’s what each winner had to say.

Editor's note: Winners may not appear on the list repeatedly in consecutive years. Check out our profiles on women in travel from 2021 here, from 2022 here, and from 2023 here.?

Lauren Bates
Founder, Wild Terrains

Lauren Bates is the founder and driving force behind Wild Terrains, a certified B Corporation travel company that specializes in creating small group tours for women of all ages.

Not only does Wild Terrains cater exclusively to women travelers, it also focuses on supporting women-owned businesses in each of the destinations it visits, which includes Argentina, France, Iceland, Mexico, Portugal, New Orleans,Louisiana and soon, Japan as well.

When planning each new destination, Bates not only works to create a compelling itinerary, she's also focused on telling a story about a destination and opening up a cultural conversation.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“A piece of feedback we hear often that makes me very proud of the work we are doing is when travelers say that their experience on a Wild Terrains trip influenced or changed the way they move about the world,” says Bates. “In addition to encouraging support for local communities and women-owned businesses, we aim to inspire women to be more intentional about the businesses they support both while traveling and in their daily lives, and ask thoughtful questions about ownership, and ethical and environmental practices.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“It’s a tall order to create a space where all women feel welcome,” says Bates. “That’s my ultimate goal and it will require years (maybe decades) of awareness, intention, and evolution to make that a reality. I also hope I can be an example to other women in the industry that they can break away from the mold and do things their own way, and see success along that path.”

“An ongoing goal as we design each new itinerary is to spark a cultural conversation and tell a story about the way women exist and thrive in these destinations,” adds Bates. "For example, Iceland is one of the most progressive places for women in the world, so we create moments of dialogue through the various experiences and local women we interact with throughout the trip to explore that.”

Heather Heverling
President & Managing Director, Audley Travel?

Recently named president of Audley Travel, a B Corporation, Heather Heverling’s career highlights include serving as president of AdventureWomen and Grand Circle Corporation and senior vice president of product management for National Geographic Expeditions.

Heverling is passionate about female empowerment in the travel industry - both in management in the United States and also when it comes to ensuring that female guides and accommodation owners in Audley’s destinations are fairly and directly compensated for the work they do.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“With more than half of both the workforce and the travel base made up of women and over 80 percent of travel decisions made by women, the travel industry is heavily reliant on female influence. Despite these compelling statistics, women are significantly underrepresented in leadership positions in travel, with fewer than 20 percent of management roles and fewer than 10 percent of board seats held by women. Opportunities for women to own and run a travel company or earn income through travel-related services are also depressed due to limited access to capital,” says Heverling. “Having spent my entire career in the travel industry, it has always been extremely important for me to do whatever possible to focus on elevating women in travel and leveling the playing field globally within the industry.”

“For more than a decade, I have worked with multiple organizations that are focused on supporting and empowering women by providing opportunities for mentorship and development within the travel industry,” adds Heverling. “For many years I served as a mentor to young women in high school who participated in an internship program that gave them exposure to an office environment and allowed them to see a future for themselves in the travel industry…More recently, I have worked with an organization that connects female entrepreneurs who are trying to break into the travel industry with women travel veterans who share practical knowledge about starting and running a travel business.”

“When I started in this industry, men were running the companies, and the boards were always all men. There wasn’t really a network or support system for the handful of women who had scratched our way into leadership roles in travel, so it is important to me to act as an example and resource to those young women who are as passionate about travel as I am and who want to pursue a future in this industry,” says Heverling.

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“I think it’s so important to establish structured time and space where women can come together collectively and talk openly, share ideas, listen, and learn,” explains Heverling. “There’s tremendous power when you get women with diverse perspectives in a room together. I want to champion the creation and inclusion of a women’s panel at every major travel conference in the future.”

“Harnessing the power of a group of strong women is the quintessential example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Collectively, women can move us forward in achieving a more robust and inclusive experience within the travel industry,” adds Heverling. “Also, in many countries, women are not fairly compensated for their time and work. Women around the world genuinely want to support other women, and I feel like it’s my responsibility as a leader in the travel industry to make these opportunities come to fruition and ensure we’re finding real authentic local experiences around the globe. I am proud that we are already taking action on this at Audley Travel by featuring opportunities for travelers to include accommodations and excursions that fairly reward women or are owned and run by local women as a part of our Responsible Choice portfolio.”

Harsha L’Acqua
Founder, Saira Hospitality

Harsha L’Acqua is on mission to transform the way hotels connect with local communities. To help pursue that goal, she founded the non-profit Saira Hospitality. The organization, which has partnered with the likes of Autograph Collection Hotels, Four Seasons, Virgin Limited Edition, and Hilton Hotels & Resorts (to name a few), creates pop-up schools that provide local communities with the knowledge and skills needed to build a career in hospitality.

The result is a dedicated and engaged workforce, improved community diplomacy and significantly reduced staff turnover for hotels and life-changing employment opportunities for local people and communities.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“We believe we are enabling hotels to think differently when looking to source entry level talent,” says L’Acqua. “Rather than poaching or flying in from overseas, our hotel partners are open to the idea of creating new talent through pathways unexplored before.”

“Tapping into demographics that possess what we coined as the ‘hospitality gene’ yet are often overlooked, has also reduced annual turnover rates from 70 percent - 80 percent in the industry to 10 percent -13 percent when hiring Saira graduates,” continues? L’Acqua.?“There are many reasons for this but the key reason being we’re focused on identifying students that both want the role but more importantly need the role they take on with our hotel partners.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“While I believe we have made a dent in the industry thanks to supporters like yourselves who are helping to spread the word about what we do, we have a long way to go,” says L’Acqua. “On an industry level, we aim for every new hotel that's being developed to incorporate into the pre-opening budget, a hospitality school free-of-charge for the local communities surrounding the property so they can be educated and empowered.”

“For?the operational hotels, I’d like for them to change their mindset towards hiring, and look to create talent through training overlooked communities versus poaching and flying in which remain unsustainable and continue to generate high turnover rates,”? L’Acqua continues.

“Internally, we’re working on a few exciting initiatives continuing to assist hotels in finding great talent yet hopefully will provide us with a consistent streamline of revenue so that we can continue to grow and do what we love to do - create the schools that transform both the lives of our students and also the guest experience for our hotel partners."

Vincie Ho
Founder & Executive Director, RISE Travel Institute

A 501(c)3 nonprofit, RISE Travel Institute is focused on inspiring responsible, impactful, sustainable, and ethical travel through education. Created by Vincie Ho, RISE is working to create a global community of conscious travelers by engaging tourism professionals, university students, and travelers in critical conversations around social justice, animal protection, environmental ethics, DEIA, and systems change in the context of travel and tourism. RISE offers online education about sustainable travel for travelers of all ages, and also offers study tours and travel scholarships.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“One of my top accomplishments in recent years has been the establishment of RISE Travel Institute in 2020,” says Ho. “Despite the challenges posed by closed international borders and the inability to travel during the pandemic, I saw an opportunity to make a difference in the travel industry. While some may have considered it a bold move, I realized my dream to create an organization that would educate travelers on the ethical considerations of their journeys.”

“By laying the groundwork during this period of pause, I aimed to ensure that when travel resumed, individuals would do so more thoughtfully, with a heightened awareness of their impact on host communities and the environment,” continues Ho. “At numerous industry summits and conferences I’ve been to, the need for traveler education was often acknowledged, yet no organization was specifically dedicated to this cause. I took it upon myself to develop a comprehensive curriculum on sustainability and anti-oppression in travel to fill this gap.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“In the future, my overarching goal is to continue encouraging critical and systems thinking through my work with RISE Travel Institute and as a university faculty,” says Ho. “By serving as a facilitator for discussions surrounding power dynamics and justice, I aim to challenge entrenched paradigms, catalyze mindset shifts, and inspire systems change.”

“Committed to expanding resources for conscious travel, I strive to develop accessible and informative materials that empower individuals to make ethical travel choices,” adds Ho. “I aspire to cultivate a global community of conscious travelers united in advocating for responsible travel practices and supporting initiatives that prioritize the well-being of host communities and natural ecosystems.”

Collaborating with universities, study abroad program providers, destination management organizations, and tourism businesses will be integral to Ho achieving her vision. “Through strategic partnerships and collective efforts, we can scale up traveler education initiatives and foster a more sustainable and equitable travel industry for all,” she says.

Shannon Guihan
Chief Sustainability Officer, Head of TreadRight, The Travel Corporation

Shannon Guihan fills a role that has profound and far reaching impact when it comes to the footprint of travelers and the business of travel. As chief sustainability officer and head of the non-profit TreadRight for The Travel Corporation, she operates within the world’s largest privately owned travel company, which includes 40 travel brands.

Guihan's role is to lead the direction and charge on sustainability, an effort that includes the way in which The Travel Corporation’s brands impact the destinations where they bring travelers. To that end, TreadRight focuses on three pillars: Planet, people and wildlife globally.

Under Guihan's direction, TreadRight also leads the Make Travel Matter program, which includes a sustainability strategy and efforts to address climate change.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“I joined the travel and tourism industry when I was 16 years old, as a sea kayaking guide in Newfoundland. Nearly 30 years later, having spent my career in this space, there are a few accomplishments that I’m particularly proud of,” begins Guihan.

“Perhaps unsurprisingly, most of those accomplishments have come at major transformational periods for both our world and the industry. I’ve been the Chief Sustainability Officer for The Travel Corporation, home to more than 40 travel brands since 2019, and was with the group for many years prior as a consultant,” Guihan explains. “This role has positioned me to make an impact on the operations of some of the largest and longest standing travel brands operating globally. During my tenure with the group, I’ve worked to evolve its approach towards sustainability from philanthropy to core operational changes, bringing us to where we are today, which is being one of the few global tour operators with measurable sustainability goals against which we report on progress publicly.”

“I’m particularly proud, however, of the approach that we’ve taken towards climate, and the launch of our industry-first Carbon Fund – an internal fund based on the carbon footprint of each of our brands, that I manage,” adds Guihan. “This fund is set aside strictly to invest in the decarbonization of our Scopes 1,2 and 3 footprints. It’s not necessarily sexy, but it’s progressive and something I’m exceptionally proud of.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“In terms of the future of this industry, we need for it to arrive at a place where the integration of the principals of positive impact, or sustainability, or regeneration, is the norm,” says Guihan. “I’d also like us to arrive at a place where what we call it doesn’t matter, but instead we are focused on precisely what that impact is.”

“In terms of my role, my focus right now is twofold. Firstly, it is meeting our carbon reduction targets. While that’s a long-term aim, we’ve already laid the foundation and have started making investments and changes in the business that will begin to net us reductions as early as this year,” says Guihan.

“The biggest impact, however, will come at the destination level, and with our suppliers,” adds Guihan. “They are critical on so many levels. Our hotel and experience partners are ever the consummate hosts and cool under pressure – and the pressure is on. One of those mounting pressures is to ensure they too are implementing the principals of sustainability. The rest of the sector needs to support them on this. I’d like us to come together to establish clear metrics that our sector agrees on, so we can then support our suppliers on. While that may sound simple, it certainly is not, but the impact would be immeasurable.”

Jaclyn Leibl-Cote
President & CEO, Collette

During the 107 years that Colette Tours has been in business, there’s only been four CEOs. Jaclyn Leibl-Cote is the fourth person to fill that role.

She started at the company as a product manager in 2005 and has worked her way through the ranks from director of product development to executive vice president of the same department and then onward to president and chief customer experience officer.

In October, she was tapped to be president and CEO of the company that started back in 1918 after World War 1 had ended. As president and CEO of Collette, Leibl-Cote helms the longest running tour operator in North America. Collette offers guided travel on all seven continents with more than 160 different tour options.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“When I first joined the company, I worked on our product team, designing tours in destinations like Australia and across the US. As I studied customer feedback, there seemed to be a need for more immersive products for well-traveled customers,” says Leibl-Cote.

“I worked with the leadership team to introduce a product line of small group tours that are designed differently.? I’m so proud of the growth this travel style has continued to experience. I think it’s the future of guided travel, and this is our fastest-growing travel style, growing every year. Being in the driver’s seat of an initiative that connects with industry trends and more importantly, the traveler’s experience, has been rewarding."

“Over my years at Collette, I’ve worn so many hats that have informed my leadership style as well as my understanding of the complete customer journey,” continues Leibl-Cote. “I’ve been a tour manager, client care agent, product designer and strategist, and head of global marketing. In addition to creating product line differentiation, I’ve worked to create a data-driven strategy and a values-led culture. I introduced a CX (customer experience) department to create a truly customer-centric strategy across the entire organization. Travel is a people industry and continuing to be not just relevant but trusted by a traveler with something as important as their time and their memories is a huge responsibility that we don’t take lightly.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented time for our entire industry. Navigating the company through this period was by far the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced,” adds Leibl-Cote. “As an organization we chose to stand by our industry-leading travel protection plan and issued over $185 million in refunds. This was not easy to accomplish, but it was the right thing to do – and it stemmed from our core values.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“One of my favorite things about Collette is our values-led culture. One of my goals has always been and will continue to be to come from our values: Be Happy. Be Responsible. Be Trailblazers. Be the Legacy,” says Leibl-Cote. “We have a fun culture at Collette and foster connection through team outings and exchanges. Through our corporate citizenship program, we live our values every day with volunteers out in the community and giving grants to nonprofits in global communities. Introduced by my grandfather, Dan Sullivan Sr., nurtured by my dad, Dan Sullivan, Jr., I want to continue that legacy… continue finding ways to make travel a force for good at Collette.”

“And my personal favorite value that I hope to continue weaving into my leadership style is 'Be Trailblazers,’" adds Leibl-Cote.

“I want to encourage even more innovation through technology – elevating the customer online experience by adding more self-service functionality. I want to continue curating expertly designed products based on our travelers' ever-changing needs. I say it all the time to our global team: 'Be curious.' Ask questions. Dig deeper. This sense of curiosity leads to some of the most collaborative and innovative ways forward. Within the travel industry, I will continue building strong connections and ensuring that Collette’s impact in the world of travel itself is positive and forward-focused. Our industry has so much talent and valuable perspectives – working together to sustain the places we visit, for example, is a huge part of my mission in this next chapter.”

Christine Duffy
President, Carnival Cruise Line

As the first woman to be president of Carnival Corporation’s flagship cruise company, Christine Duffy leads a fleet of 30 ships that accommodate in excess of 6 million guests each year. The company also employs more than 51,000 people from 120 nations - all of which is no small responsibility. Duffy has filled the role of president since 2015 and under her leadership, Carnival was the first major U.S. cruise line to have its entire fleet operating again after the COVID pandemic.

Duffy has also overseen the introduction of seven new ships during her tenure and is known for her “people first” business philosophy and for being an accessible, approachable leader who has consistently worked to elevate women in leadership roles.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.
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“Throughout my career, I have been a champion of women’s leadership across the travel industry for many years,” says Duffy.?“In the 1990s I started a women’s leadership initiative to encourage more women to join the industry and for industry leaders to focus on the importance and benefit of developing women in their own organizations.?While most people who work in the travel industry are women there were few in senior executive positions. While we have more work to do, I am proud to be the first woman President of Carnival Cruise line and pleased to see the growing number of women leading companies in the cruise and hospitality industry leading."

At Carnival Cruise line I am most proud of the work we have done to support our 48,000 team members building a strong bridge between our shipboard team and shoreside team members.? We have promoted a record number of employees from our shipboard population, giving opportunities to those that may not have been considered in the past and bringing greater diversity to our shoreside organization. We have also focused on broadening the nationalities and gender participation across our fleet.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“A long-term goal of is to welcome our first woman team into the role of captain at Carnival Cruise Line,” says Duffy. “We are getting close as we have some women on our bridge teams who are approaching that level! I can’t wait to put the epaulets on our first woman captain!”

“I am very proud to serve on the advisory board for the fund-raising arm of St Jude Child Children’s Research Hospital where Carnival Cruise Line is their Celebration partner,” Duffy adds.? “We recently surpassed our goal of raising $30 million dollars and have set a new goal to reach $50 million dollars by 2030.? I look forward to seeing us reaching commitment. As the Official Celebration Partner of St. Jude since 2010, Carnival hosts events at the hospital and raises money through a variety of fundraising initiatives, both on board and ashore, including our fun and popular Groove for St. Jude dance parties.”

“Our team is hard at work preparing for the opening of the first exclusive destination designed for Carnival guests – Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island,” says Duffy. “Celebration Key will deliver endless opportunities for relaxation and recreation across five distinct areas called portals, featuring the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean. I can’t wait for July 2025.”

Maija de Rijk-Uys
Managing Director, Go2Africa

As managing director of the Cape Town, South Africa-based safari tour operator Go2Africa, Maija de Rijk-Uys has been on a mission use the company’s resources, buying power, and influence to drive positive impact in the safari sector and promote responsible tourism.

Under her leadership, Go2Africa has become a certified B Corporation, underscoring the company’s unwavering dedication to sustainability, transparency, and ethical business practices. “It’s important that as a company we are held accountable to high standards of community upliftment, environmental sustainability, and the protection of wildlife,” de Rijk-Uys has said.

In 2023, de Rijk-Uys stepped up her efforts even further and led a company-wide initiative to prioritize Trips with a Purpose, as a means to provide exceptional, meaningful experiences for travelers, while creating a sustainable and prosperous future for Africa’s natural ecosystems and the people whose livelihoods are directly linked to them.

Today, the company has more than 300 ‘Positive Impact’ itineraries that serve as an aid to conserve and protect Africa’s wildlife, wild places, and empower communities, engaging local partners across the continent.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“Yesterday, I was surprised to learn that I made it on the new board for South?African Tourism,” says de Rijk-Uys. “I am very humbled and excited by the opportunities this brings, and I hope we can positively influence tourism to South?Africa. I am also involved in the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) and, during COVID-19, contributed a fair amount to industry opinion pieces and webinars to help support tourism in the region during that difficult period.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“It is not lost on me that?as operators, we have influence and resources that can drive positive impact in the world,” says de Rijk-Uys. “I would like to be in a position where I can fully and positively contribute to bringing more tourists to South Africa and Africa, especially to the hidden gems, such as the small parks or more remote communities often overlooked, all while being responsible and mindful of our impact.”

“As the managing director of Go2Africa, I lead by having us authentically living our commitment to use business as a powerful force for positive impact,” de Rijk-Uys adds. “Protecting wildlife, uplifting communities, and caring for the planet through tourism will always be at the center of my purpose and passion. I will endeavor to do all I can to achieve that.”

Rachel Humphrey
Founder, Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance?

The Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance is the result of Rachel Humphrey’s bold vision. It is a consortium of organizations focused on advancing women in hospitality and facilitating collaboration between and among organizations that work to elevate women in leadership in the hospitality industry.

Through Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance, Humphrey has brought together more than 30 organizations that share the common thread of being focused on advancing women in the industry. Together, these organizations are working on a combined goal to bring more women and diverse speakers to conference stages.

In addition to being the founder of Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance, Humphrey is also co-founder of DEI Advisors - a podcast that’s devoted to interviewing top leaders in hospitality and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

Since retiring in 2021, I am very proud to have founded the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance,” says Humphrey. “To date, 31 organizations have joined forces to maximize their efforts through collaboration and partnership. While each of these independent organizations continues its work, together they collaborate to amplify their programs, messaging, and initiatives advancing women in leadership, striving to move the needle farther and faster in an effort to maximize the impact of each and collectively of all.”

“Not only have we created an incredible network of organizations and leaders who support and elevate one another, but we've made great strides in advocating for more women on all hospitality industry conference stages, which is a must for the industry and for elevating the careers of women in our industry,” adds Humphrey. “I’m also very proud of the launch in 2022 of DEI Advisors…alongside industry legends David Kong, Dorothy Dowling, and Lan Elliott. Together, we feature top leaders from all segments of the hospitality industry, sharing their paths to leadership and some of the many insights they've gained along the way.”

“The [podcast’s] interviews give access to some of the greatest minds in our industry, help inspire us all, and feed our need for continuous growth to elevate our leadership journeys at all stages,” continues Humphrey. “Together, I am confident these two initiatives?are impacting broadly the future of our industry and more narrowly the paths of many future female leaders.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“While I am proud of the initial impact of both the Alliance and DEI Advisors, we are just at the tip of the iceberg in our collective goals of elevating more women into leadership within the hospitality industry,” says Humphrey. “I'm excited to continue on this most important path during this exciting chapter of my life. Despite progress, there is still a long way to go, and I am looking forward to being a part of a forever impact on this incredible industry.”

Iris Serbanescu
Founder, wmnsWORK

The first award-winning tourism business accelerator for women and non-binary entrepreneurs, wmnsWORK, founded and led by Iris Serbanescu, is on a mission is to empower women with the education, mentorship, and community support to attain their business goals.

The company’s 12-week program, which serves small groups of no more than 20 students at a time, flattens the learning curve when it comes to providing critical knowledge of the industry and entrepreneurship.

Under Serbanescu's guidance, wmsnWORK is meaningfully creating a space for women to become confident leaders, build sustainable businesses and bring impact driven travel to the forefront of the industry. Through her tireless efforts, Serbanescu has been credited with changing the travel industry from the inside out.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

Serbanescu says one of her most important accomplishments is “launching the first cohort in January 2022 with eight women in our beta cohort and growing to a program that over two years has graduated more than 40 entrepreneurs in the industry - tour operators, travel advisors, accommodations, and tech companies."

"The next greatest accomplishment would be successfully bringing on board a handful of amazing corporate sponsors who have collectively sponsored more than 35 percent of the spots in our last four cohorts over the past two years, for women and non-binary individuals who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), LGBTQ+, and/or disabled,” Serbanescu continues. "This allows folks from all over the world who might not have the resources otherwise,? to grow their businesses alongside the industry's best and brightest mentors.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“The wmnsWORK 12-week accelerator program is currently set up to create support for women who already have tourism businesses but are in the early stages; however I would love to create a program for women and non-binary folks that are merely considering entrepreneurship and deciding whether or not it's right for them,” says Serbanescu. “I'd love to support them in cultivating the mindset to come up with business ideas that will excite them.”

“I think it's important to point out that there are so few resources at the stage of 'what kind of tourism business do I want to start?' and it would be amazing to create a program to help folks feel empowered to explore what's possible and then make that decision,” Serbanescu adds. “That's next up for wmnsWORK.”

Karen Simmonds
Founder, Travel Matters & the Make Travel Matter Campaign

Established in 2008, the Make Travel Matter campaign is designed to promote responsible travel. Created by Karen Simmonds, the campaign aims to encourage travelers to make more conscious choices and decisions when they travel and to be more pro-active when it comes to? protecting the environment and the communities travelers encounter as they explore the world.

Simmonds is also the founder of the company Travel Matters, an award winning independent luxury travel agency based in London. A certified B Corporation, Travel Matters creates tailor-made family holidays.

In recent years, Travel Matters has received a long list of recognition for its important efforts including most recently an Aspire Award in 2023 for Sustainability Champion of the Year, an ATAS Conference Award in 2023, winning the Sustainability Champion category, and an iGap Travel Award in 2023 for Luxury Travel Agency of the Year.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“I founded Travel Matters in 1999, on the principles of service and responsible travel,” says Simmonds. “Today, the business is a reputable, multi-award winning travel agency. I am pleased that our campaign to Make Travel Matter has been winning various awards for sustainability in travel and tourism. In 2023, we became a B Corp certified business.”

“I host Travel Matters Wellness Retreats and hope to use the success to springboard more in-house travel experiences that offer bursary places to individuals who wouldn’t usually be able to invest in such an experience,” adds Simmonds.

“I am delighted to announce that Travel Matters launched a new team of remote advisors and ambassadors. I have been on the hunt for genuine character and I was looking for people that love traveling, love researching or planning holidays, but equally, we're looking for ambassadors that really understand the values of what it is to work for a travel B Corp,” Simmonds adds. “As of 2024, we have 6 female ambassadors and advisors. I hope I can use my 25 years of business experience to educate and guide this next generation of travel professionals.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“As the founder of Travel Matters and the Make Travel Matter campaign, I would welcome collaborating with a large global media company who sees merit in what I have been doing,” says Simmonds. “This would help me amplify the messaging and create a larger movement as well as giving the work more
visibility.”

“I hope to continue my association and membership with the likes of Equality & Tourism, Friends of the Earth, Rainforest Alliance and Greenpeace, but also build new relationships with other inspiring businesses such as Tricolage, Certified Sustainable Travel Agency (Japan), BCorp and BLab,” adds Simmonds.

“I believe that behavior change is not easy but my small steps have created a catalyst to see change,” Simmonds continues. “I’d love to see this campaign be a legacy – a movement of individuals who care for people and places
traveling around the globe.”

Carolyn Pearson
CEO of Maiden Voyage

England-based Maiden Voyage was established by Carolyn Pearson to support solo female travelers at a time when DEI wasn’t even a buzzword in travel.

Pearson's company provides business traveler safety training focused on diversity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ and female business travelers. That effort includes providing actionable learning and training, workshops, and eLearning designed to keep individuals safe when traveling both at home and abroad.

Pearson’s efforts have led to numerous programs, activities and strategies for companies to be inclusive to all traveler personas and have inspired greater understanding of the unique challenges that employees may face when traveling.

“Whenever we travel, every one of us has the potential to be a minority. It is our goal for corporate travelers of all genders, races, and religions to feel empowered when away from home,” says the company’s website.

Pearson, who in 2023 was awarded the special Business Travel People’s Awards, Chairs Award for her contribution to DE&I across the travel industry, has been described by her peers as a trailblazer within the travel industry and someone who has dedicated years of her life to making travel safer for people from all walks of life.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

Among her proudest accomplishments is "ensuring that the business travel industry thinks differently about business traveler safety by applying diversity, equity and inclusivity into travel security programs,” says Pearson. “Thousands of organizations and business travelers worldwide have used our powerful education tools such as eLearning and documentaries to bring a uniquely personalized approach to safeguarding business travelers based on their gender, sexual orientation, culture, ethnicity as well as physical and mental accessibility needs.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“We would like to see a world where everybody can travel safe, well and feel enriched by their business travel experiences,” says Pearson. “We believe that the way to do that is through education, thought-leadership and inspiring change.”

“Our industry partnerships are incredibly important in allowing us to bring more people on this journey, therefore we will be investing heavily in our Travel Management Company partnerships” adds Pearson.

Olivia Cryer
Co-founder, The Conscious Travel Foundation

Olivia Cryer, along with her best friend Maudie Tomlinson, are the driving forces behind The Conscious Travel Foundation. A non-profit membership organization, The Conscious Travel Foundation collaborates, educates and advocates for a more positive, sustainable, and inclusive tourism industry, while also supporting grassroots projects around the world.

In the face of the pandemic in 2020, Cryer and Tomlinson were inspired by their network of industry peers, leaders, and sustainability luminaries to launch The Conscious Travel Foundation, in the hopes of rebalancing the travel industry’s impact on people and the planet. The duo are working to help shape a travel industry that prioritizes purpose for a positive impact on cultures, communities, wildlife, and habitats around the world.

Peers say Cryer and Tomlinson have a shared passion for learning, connection, and community, and saw the need for an organization that could bring a global network of like-minded people together to help navigate the delicate tightrope that tourism must tread in order to benefit both the visitor and the visited.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“With more than 15 years of travel industry experience in various guises, the last four years at the helm of The Conscious Travel Foundation have been the most rewarding, fulfilling and impactful years of my career,” says Cryer. “The travel industry, like any other, comes with its set of challenges, and we're proud to have created a space that welcomes travel businesses from across the tourism sector, at all stages of their impact journey. It's heartening to see our members not only connect on a professional level but also forge genuine relationships based on a shared passion for bettering the travel industry from within.”

"Rather than selling or promoting services to one another, we are a vibrant community dedicated to connecting, learning, and growing together - something I’m particularly proud of,” says Cryer. “In an industry often driven by competition, our members have embraced a collaborative ethos, understanding that by sharing knowledge, solutions, and experiences, we can collectively drive change and increase our impact.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“My goals for the future revolve around deepening our commitment to philanthropy and empowering our community to be proactive agents of change,” says Cryer. “As a not-for-profit organization, philanthropy is a key tenet of The Conscious Travel Foundation, with 50 percent of membership fees donated directly to carefully chosen projects linked to tourism through our Community Impact Fund. Developing our grant-making program has been a huge focus for us over the past year, and I look forward to continuing to grow our impact in 2024 and beyond, supporting more grassroots projects around the world.”

Maudie Tomlinson
Co-Founder, The Conscious Travel Foundation

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“A sustainable solutionist at heart, it’s been so encouraging to see how many businesses are now realizing the urgent need to change the way they are operating, and prioritize people and planet,” says Tomlinson. “With our open-door policy, we’ve created a community that serves as a ‘hand rail’ for those wanting to learn and adopt new ways of working — and a space where true travel luminaries can share their experience, and pay their knowledge forward. Our community now comprises over seventy travel businesses, and growing.”

“In order to facilitate the necessary change at the rate we need to see it, I believe we need to harness radical collaboration — and that’s been a cornerstone of the Foundation from the get-go,” adds Tomlinson. “Being able to partner with so many industry leaders has been instrumental in both the development of our education program and the growth of the foundation. Our incredible team of ‘mentors’ act as our own hive-mind for industry change, whose ranks include inspiring women that I personally have a huge amount of respect for.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“Beyond philanthropy, continuing to empower our members is paramount to our vision for the future,” says Tomlinson. “We aim to provide them with the tools and resources needed to take meaningful action in their respective spheres. From carbon budgets, supply chain management, and helping our members with their certifications, to accessible travel and E,D&I training, we will continue to develop our education program and offer practical solutions to implement change. By equipping our members with the knowledge and tools to be change-makers, we amplify our collective impact on the travel industry.”

“We are excited to launch industry specific Carbon Literacy training and a Climate Fund for ou members, supporting next generation carbon offsetting projects around the world as part of? holistic approach to tackling the climate crisis,” adds Tomlinson. As we grow our membership, we’ll be able to grow our positive impact - and our door is always open to any travel business looking to be part of the solution.”

Christina Beckmann
Head of Tomorrow's Air?

Christina Beckmann heads up the world's first collective of passionate travelers focused on cleaning up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in order to ensure clean air for future generations.

Beckmann leads the the charge in selecting carbon removal supply partners and engaging travel businesses in the effort of incorporating carbon removal and climate conscious travel education into checkout. She also works to develop educational content and partnerships, while also conceptualizing and delivering new research and raising awareness about the need for carbon dioxide removal among individual travelers

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“It’s hard to talk about what I’m proud of, because I feel always so fixated on how far we have to go,” says Beckmann. “But Tomorrow's Air is bringing about change in the travel industry by popularizing and making it easy for travelers and travel businesses to invest in climate-restoring innovations like carbon removal technologies that offer permanent storage for CO2 and sustainable aviation fuel,” says Beckmann. “I’m proud of the fact that Tomorrow's Air even exists with its unique two-pronged mission of climate conscious travel education plus investment for innovative solutions.”

“Tomorrow’s Air is the flagship climate initiative of the Adventure Travel Trade Association; I co-created it with Nim de Swardt, a brilliant collaborator and friend who I met on an expedition to Antarctica with 2041 Foundation and the Explorer’s Passage,” adds Beckmann. “I’m very proud of how we took everything that experience was designed to teach us and inspire and were able to bring it to life.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“My goal for the future is to see Tomorrow’s Air a recognizable mark of a climate conscious travel company and a climate conscious traveler,” says Beckmann. “There were something like 1.3 billion international travelers in 2023, generating $1.4 trillion in receipts. If we were to harness even a tiny fraction of that in terms of followers to our education plus travel inspiration content and as contributors to the scale of carbon removal technologies and sustainable aviation fuel… well, that’s what I would like to accomplish.”

Alexis Bowen
CEO & Co-Founder of Elsewhere by Lonely Planet

As the Elsewhere website acknowledges: The ecological effects from tourism are immeasurable; travelers directly impact soil erosion, CO2 emissions, animal welfare, and deforestation.

It’s a harsh reality, but Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet, wants to help be part of the solution. The flexible and socially conscious travel company that was co-founded by Alexis Bowen is focused on providing an impact-driven approach and direct-to-consumer model.

Bowen says the company was born from the idea that travelers—and the destinations they visit—deserve better. To that end, Elsewhere focuses on delivering a model of economic fairness and environmental protection for the destination, as well as extraordinary experiences for travelers.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“I’m proud of the direct-to-consumer marketplace model we've built. Elsewhere cuts out the intermediary and connects travelers directly with in-destination travel agencies,” says Bowen. “These agencies are the hidden heroes behind companies like National Geographic, Abercrombie & Kent, and Black Tomato. Rather than operating behind these names out of London or New York, Elsewhere cuts out the middle-man and allows these local experts to craft trips directly with travelers.”

“Not only is this more efficient and much better value, it also creates a more extraordinary experience for the traveler, allowing them to see their destination through a local lens,” continues Bowen. “Rather than booking a trip to Argentina with Gary in New York, you're booking with Lucas in Buenos Aires, and he's sharing his insight and local knowledge in a way that allows travelers to see and experience beneath the surface of a destination. This is surprisingly a big differentiator in the business.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“I'm focused on this journey with Lonely Planet, which is at an incredibly exciting and pivotal moment,” says Bowen. “Lonely Planet just celebrated it's 50th year and our work today is about bringing this loved brand into the digital age and for the modern traveler. It's exciting to work between two companies doing such wholly different work- one, a legacy brand and a global household name, and the other, a scrappy start-up that set out to disrupt a traditional space.”

“And although the companies are in wildly different stages, they are aligned in spirit,” says Bowen. “We're both on a mission to get people out and discovering the world because we truly believe travel can make the world a better place. And that’s a really exciting project.”

Kristin Karst
Co-Owner and Executive Vice President, AmaWaterways

A native of Dresden, Germany, Kristin Karst has grown to be one of the leading executives in the river cruise industry.

In 2002, Karst co-founded AmaWaterways with Rudi Schreiner and Jimmy Murphy. Together, the trio have built 25 award-winning ships that sail rivers throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. Karst in particular has played a major role in shaping the company’s products and services.

Over the years she has received numerous accolades including being recognized as one of 2020’s Top 100 Female Founders by Inc. Magazine. Karst is known in the industry for her relentless passion and commitment to creating the best experience for travel advisors, group leaders, and guests.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“Since co-founding AmaWaterways in 2002, my goals have included offering our guests the most enriching experiences and broadening the appeal of this beautiful, immersive style of vacation,” says Karst.

“I’m also a very active person, so starting in 2006, I decided that having bicycles on board for our guests to use would be a wonderful way to explore the quaint towns and villages we visited along the rivers,” continues Karst. “As the popularity of exploring on shore with bicycles grew, we added escorted biking and hiking tours as part of our included excursions. This soon earned us the reputation of being the river cruise line that best catered to active travelers of all ages!”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“Travel is a force for good in the world, and I am forever committed to innovating and enhancing the river cruising experience; introducing new elements that enrich the lives of our guests as well as contribute to the local communities we visit,” says Karst. “We live in a fast-paced world where virtual tools can certainly help us stay connected and tuned to new trends, but I believe the human connection is more important than ever.”

“Additionally, sustainability is the top and ever-present responsibility of every company in the travel industry. I am committed to fostering sustainable and responsible tourism practices,” says Karst. “The impact we have on the local communities is of utmost importance to me and I am proud of how we are taking the necessary time to ensure our new river cruise program on the Magdalena River in Colombia respects and celebrates the rich cultural experiences we will be offering our guests when we launch our first ship there in November. We have meaningful partnerships with schools in South Africa and Cambodia to support the next generations and provide annual financial assistance to the villages we visit in Namibia along the Chobe River.”

“Giving back will remain a central focus throughout my career, ensuring that our journey not only enriches the lives of our guests but leaves a positive and lasting impact on the destinations we touch.”?

Stephanie M. Jones
Founder & CEO, Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance Inc.

Stephanie M. Jones is the visionary founder and CEO of the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance, Inc. (CHEA), an organization that's been instrumental in reshaping the travel and tourism industry to better serve underrepresented, small Black and Brown businesses.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

Jones’ many accomplishments include launching groundbreaking initiatives like Blacks in Travel & Tourism, the Black Cultural Heritage Tours Collective, Diversity Tourism Academy, and the Black Tour Operators Network.

“These programs are designed to create equitable opportunities for Black-owned travel businesses, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring their meaningful participation in the global tourism industry,” says Jones. “CHEA’s Future of Black Tourism?initiative provides leadership development and representation for Black travel & tourism leaders, while preparing the next generation to Black tourism leaders.”
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Jones's consultancy efforts with notable destinations such as Visit Lauderdale and LA Tourism are also pioneering, blending community-based tourism with sustainable tourism practices in DEI and minority supplier development. These innovative approaches have garnered prestigious recognition including nominations for the 2024 Journey Woman Lifetime Achievement Bessie Award, 2022 Travel+Leisure Global Vision Award, among several others, says Jones.
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Jones says her latest venture, Disrupt for Change, “further amplifies” her mission to “revolutionize the travel industry as the first Black woman to host a travel and tourism focused podcast amplifying industry leaders, change agents, innovators and necessary disruptors leading the most pressing issues pertaining to the future of travel & tourism."

Through her podcast, “The Necessary Disruptor with Stephanie M. Jones,"?Jones says she “engages listeners in insightful discussions on the need for industry disruption through the lens of leadership, sustainability, social impact, innovation, DEI, and entrepreneurship.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“Building on an distinguished career that has already significantly impacted the travel and tourism industry,” says Jones, who has set forth ambitious goals for the future, aiming to further amplify her influence and bring about meaningful, systemic change.

Her vision encompasses several key objectives, each designed to foster greater inclusivity, sustainability, and economic empowerment within the sector. In particular, Jones has set her sights on expanding the global reach of BIPOC initiatives, advancing public policy and industry standards, cultivating the next generation of leaders, disrupting the narrative through media, and promoting economic empowerment and wealth building.

"By achieving these goals, I hope to leave a legacy that not only transforms the travel and tourism industry but also creates a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive world," says Jones.

Paula Vlamings
Chief Impact Officer, Tourism Cares

For the past two decades, the non-profit Tourism Cares has been devoted to uniting the travel industry to be a catalyst for positive social, environmental and economic impact for the people and places of travel. The organization is also dedicated to the long-term survival of the travel and tourism industry and as chief impact officer for Tourism Cares, Paula Vlamings is a critical part of these missions.

Vlamings focuses her efforts on creating positive impact through tourism and does so by helping to identify, leverage, and activate opportunities to achieve the non-profit’s goals. As part of mission, Vlamings works to connect social enterprises, community based tourism, and sustainability leaders to the wider industry in order to make travel a force for good.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“I would?say what I’m most proud of is?stewarding?the evolution of Tourism Cares’ mission toward creating a deeper impact within the industry and for the communities tourism depends on,” says Vlamings. “Building a positive impact into the business model of tourism has been a mission of mine for all of my travel career.”

"If?the travel companies?who profit from nature, culture, and beauty don’t also invest in those places, we?won’t?have a sustainable?– or much less,?equitable industry,” adds Vlamings. “Through our work at Tourism Cares,?we are seeing?more companies and destinations prioritizing and operationalizing a better future for people and the planet, and that benefits everyone.?I am proud to see this new shift from across the?industry and I am hopeful many more will join us on this journey,."

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“I'd like to see more integration of sustainability and climate action as a management strategy - where it becomes part of the culture, resources, and ethos for all of us in this industry,” says Vlamings. “We have amazing companies and destinations leading the way, but that needs to grow and it needs to become the norm. The solutions are out there, and I’d like to help more of the industry get started because we all sell the same places, so it’s imperative we all?take?a sustainable approach.”

Jacqueline Marks
Global Head of Trade Brands, ALG Vacations

In her role at Apple Leisure Group, one of North America's fastest-growing leisure resort companies, Marks focuses on propelling growth and driving changes that will help position the company and travel agents for long-term success.

Marks joined ALG following the company’s merger with The Mark Travel Corporation (TMTC) in 2018 and previously served as executive vice president of trade sales and engagement for ALG.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“I have taken great pride in spearheading the development and implementation of our Kindness movement, culminating in the inaugural Kindness Conference for 40 travel advisors under 40,” says Marks. “Implementing widespread kindness programs are a collaborative effort, and I am proud to have led our team in this initiative.”

“By establishing workshops, keynote speakers, and media outreach with a renewed emphasis on kindness to ourselves, kindness to others, and kindness in travel, we have created new KPIs in our business,” continues Marks. “While innovative technology and forward-thinking programs are important, I believe that genuine impact stems from compassion, attentiveness, and cultivating relationships that transcend profit margins. This year we will add a Kindness Connection event which will bring together seasoned agents with more than 20 years experience in the industry and immerse them in our kindness mission.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“In the next five to ten years, I believe there will be an unprecedented surge in technology advancements in the travel industry, surpassing even the progress made in the past 20 years,” says Marks.

“It is important that ALGV positions itself at the forefront of these developments to support advisors in navigating this evolving landscape. To this end, ALGV is significantly investing in the enhancement of artificial intelligence and CRM systems, ensuring that our service is industry-leading and accessible to advisors. Additionally, we are actively pursuing API connections to foster greater efficiencies for advisors, enabling seamless communication between our systems and other platforms utilized by host agencies, CRMs, and documentation solutions.”

“Also, a little over a year ago, we unveiled www.Traveladvisorsgetyouthere.com as a priority initiative aimed at consumers and educating them on the indispensable value of travel advisors,” continues Marks. “With substantial investments in marketing, the site acts as a travel advisor directory, and it has garnered a remarkable social media following and consistently attracts a high volume of weekly site visits. Looking ahead, I’d like to triple or quadruple these numbers in the years to come.”

Michelle Fee
CEO, Cruise Planners

Michelle Fee established Cruise Planners back in 1994 and it has since grown to be the nation’s largest network of home-based travel agents.

Under Fee’s leadership, Cruise Planners franchise owners are provided with unique marketing programs, hands-on training and cutting-edge tools allowing them to conduct business anywhere, anytime. Fee also leads home office team of more than 100 individuals at Cruise Planners’ headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida.

Over the years, Fee has received numerous awards, including being named Ultimate CEO, Entrepreneur of the Year and Woman of the Year by various media outlets and charity organizations.?

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“Reflecting on my four-decade journey in the travel industry, I've had the privilege of witnessing many changes, pivotal moments and tipping points over the years,” says Fee. “The pivotal juncture that positioned me where I am today can be traced back to the inception of the internet.”

“Thirty years ago, as a travel advisor myself, I knew I had to evolve with it or be left behind. Fast forward to today, Cruise Planners proudly stands as the industry's largest and most successful travel franchise company,” adds Fee. “Our success stems from a model crafted to meet the needs of our network of professional travel advisors. At the core of our strategy lies our cutting-edge technology providing our advisors with the advantage of having the tools and turn-key programs all in one application. I recognized that travel advisors needed an effective way to grow their business. I knew that by creating proprietary programs, systems and processes and offering these resources at little to no cost, it would set Cruise Planners apart. I'm proud to say we did just that and continue to evolve each and every year.”? ?

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“Once more, the world stands on the brink of a significant turning point, Artificial Intelligence (AI),” says Fee. "AI is taking flight at an unprecedented pace. Our number one mission is to continue to be the innovators and develop AI tools that give our advisors a real advantage.”

“During our 2023 Cruise Planners conference, we actually launched phase1 of our AI integration into our proprietary tool.? We have plans to continue to evolve with this new technology and deliver further phases that will provide even more time-saving insights to seamlessly streamline the vacation planning process by putting everything at our advisors' fingertips,” continues Fee.?“It will transform how our advisors conduct business in the future and gather information and we are excited to see where this new technology takes us.”

Nina Kleaveland
Founder, Female Founders in Hospitality
Co-Founder & CEO, Lanyard

Nina Kleaveland is the creator of Female Founders in Hospitality (FFIH), a global networking and resource group that was established to provide a supportive community for women who are building companies in the travel and hospitality industry.

FFiH offers a platform to share best practices, access resources, and advance the next generation of founders who will change the travel and hospitality landscape.

Kleaveland is also the co-founder and CEO of Lanyard, a platform that aims to help hospitality operators with affordable housing solutions for employees. Kleaveland’s peers in the travel industry describe her as a powerful force who identifies problems and works to come up with solutions.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“I am extremely proud of?starting?Female Founders in Hospitality, a pioneering?initiative in the travel industry,” says Kleaveland. “Recognizing the need for a founder community, I brought together a founding cohort of 14 visionary women. We have since expanded to over 100 members globally within 18 months.”

“Our network has evolved into a powerful?movement dedicated to uplifting women throughout every stage of their entrepreneurial journey,” adds Kleaveland.?“We focus on increasing visibility for our members, celebrating their achievements, and providing essential?resources where there were none before.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“As the founder of Lanyard, I want to address the underserved need for affordable corporate housing, transforming what is often seen as a logistical challenge into a valuable employee benefit,” says Kleaveland.?“Concurrently, as the founder of Female Founders in Hospitality, I'm committed to enhancing visibility and accelerating the success of female entrepreneurs in the travel and hospitality sector.”

“Our strategy includes expanding our suite of resources, increasing opportunities for speaking engagements, programming, and events, and building a broader network of mentors and advisors,” adds Kleaveland. “As we grow, we want this movement to continue to be a supportive, positive community for female founders that helps them thrive.”

Jill Estorino
President and Managing Director, Disney Parks International

Being the president and managing director of the happiest place on Earth is no small responsibility. In her role, Jill Estorino leads a team that’s responsible for operating Disney parks around the globe.

Estorino joined Disney back in 1991 and has worked her way up through the ranks holding such roles as brand manager for Disney Institute, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. She also served as director of theme park brand management for Walt Disney World Resort, and later as executive vice president of global marketing and sales for Disney parks, experiences and products.

Under her leadership, Disney parks around the globe have been expanding their offerings in ever new directions including adding the one-of-a-kind World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland and a Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“There’s so much to be proud of over the course of my 30-plus year?history at Disney,” says Estorino. “Specific to my current role as president of Disney Parks International, I’m thrilled to be bringing new Disney experiences to consumers around the world, adding even more reason to plan a trip to our destinations in Europe and Asia,” adds Estorino. “We recently announced plans to invest $60 billion over the next decade in Disney experiences, which includes our theme parks and cruise ships.?This is a top priority for the company, and we’ve already opened a few major projects that have made a difference not only for our Disney guests, but for our local and regional communities as tourism drivers, as well.”

“November 2023 marked the historic opening of our first-ever World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland,” adds Estorino. “This completely immersive land includes two new attractions, a new live entertainment show, shops with both classic and unique items, themed food and beverage, and characters throughout the land. This new land opened to glowing reviews with high guest satisfaction – and it really is a must see.”

“We also opened our first-ever Zootopia themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort in December 2023,” continues Estorino. “As the film is the number one animated film in the country, it was no surprise this land quickly became a new reason for guests to visit Shanghai Disney Resort…and that was on top of a record attendance year in 2023.”

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“I’m inspired by the meaning of the work we do at Disney,” says Estorino. “We bring experiences to life that people from all around the world can connect with and create happy moments they’ll always remember.?My goal is to lead by example and help make sure others find joy and purpose in the work they do.”

“I was recently able to participate in fulfilling wishes for?12 Make-A-Wish families visiting Hong Kong Disneyland for an unforgettable experience full of surprises and delights,” Estorino adds.?“I have to say – while that experience may have been memorable for the children and their families, many of us were moved by the experience as well.?Simply being a part of it reminded me that what we do matters… and can truly change lives, and I want to continue to be a part of helping create these important moments.”

Lucille Sive
CEO, The Travel Corporation's Africa Division

As CEO of The Travel Corporation’s Africa division, Lucille Sive oversees strategy, growth, and sustainable policy for the safari companies Lion World Travel and Africa Travel Inc. Over the past three decades, she has built Lion World Travel into one of the leading affordable and accessible safari companies, opening up Africa as a travel destination to more than just affluent travelers.

Sive, who is passionate about her homeland, has also focused on providing more opportunities for local women in Africa and improving the lives of children. Those efforts have included hand-picking local women’s collective experiences for travelers to explore during trips and working to support education for local children. She has also worked to ensure that visits to Africa showcase more than just the Big 5 (wildlife) and that trips also include and highlight the people and culture of the continent, ultimately providing a more complete experience of the countries visited.

Q.Please share some of your accomplishments as they relate to bringing about change in the travel industry.

“In the past, visiting Africa was considered an expensive affair that only a privileged few could afford,” says Sive. “However, we changed that by creating affordable luxury packages that included air and land travel with four and five-star accommodations. We are pioneers in this industry, being the first ones to offer such packages, and we continue to do so with Lion World Travel. Making travel to Africa accessible to everyone is a great accomplishment.”

“Our focus in Africa is to uplift women through various opportunities,” continues Sive. “It's about a hand-up, not a handout. That's why we ensure that all of our guests' artisan gifts are purchased from women who hand-make them to support their families. Many of these women are widows solely responsible for feeding their families without any support. In African societies, women are the backbone of the community. Therefore, uplifting them is the key to the prosperity of the entire community. “

“We handpick these women's collective experiences because travelers now prefer personalized experiences within communities, and that has always been a priority for Lion World,” she adds. “We believe that there has been a change in the travel industry because African safaris were solely focused on the Big 5, but we have changed that to highlight Africa as an entire continent, including its people, culture, and wildlife. Africa offers immersive experiences all year round, and since the pandemic, travelers have shown more interest in exploring these diverse experiences and are now keen on visiting Africa to experience it as a whole and not just for its animals."

Q.What are your goals for the future - what would you still like to accomplish in your role or within the travel industry?

“Protecting the wildlife in Africa is undoubtedly important, but equally crucial is empowering its people,” says Sive. “My goal is to uplift the children of Africa by giving them a chance to excel with access to quality education, and through our trips, we strive to make a positive impact by contributing to the education of children in Kenya and Tanzania.”

“It is truly inspiring to see how women in Africa take care of themselves and go beyond expectations to provide for their families. Their dedication and commitment uplift me emotionally, and I cannot help but feel motivated by their strength and resilience,” adds Sive. “My passion project is to boost the work of these women and stimulate economic empowerment for them.”

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