The travel industry has been urged to do more to promote the sector as a career choice to people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds following anti-racism protests across the world.
In the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis two weeks ago, for which a white police officer has been charged with murder, agents highlighted the lack of BAME role models in travel.
Hays Travel branch manager Steven Wynter, who set up specialist carnival holidays operator Wyntersun Holidays in 2011, said: “I’ve always been very conscious people like me are disproportionately underrepresented in the travel industry. I’ve felt quite alone in that sense. I’ve been fortunate to experience some amazing things in travel, so why can’t other people from my background?”
Wynter described travel as “friendly and welcoming”, but said the sector was perceived as predominantly for white people, partly due to a lack of role models.
“I speak to travel CEOs with the same vision to create something that benefits their community, creates jobs and tackles inequality,” he added.
“Travel is full of people with an inclusive outlook. This is an industry BAME people should feel comfortable joining, but there’s no vehicle for that.”
Laverne Walker, director at Brixton-based agency Sackville Travel, said Caribbean tourist boards had become more representative in recent years. But she said: “I’d love to see more people from the black community in our sector. It’s something this industry could be pushing more.”
Walker said she has felt at times that she has not been held in the same esteem as fellow white directors.
“People want someone they can look up to,” she said.
“I’ve employed a number of black women and they appreciate having a black woman as an employer.”
Haslemere Travel owner and Aito Agents chair Gemma Antrobus, whose husband of 20 years is black, said they had experienced prejudice and racism.
She said: “In travel we understand different cultures, but I still think black people are underrepresented at a senior level. It’s not about putting someone in a position of seniority just because of the colour of their skin, but I’d be surprised if there weren’t candidates of equal calibre.”
