The Women in Travel CIC social enterprise has announced key industry bosses Zina Bencheikh and Jo Rzymowska will take part in its International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum (June 27).
Both are known for their efforts to promote equality, inclusion and diversity in travel, tourism and hospitality – issues which are on the agenda for the event, hosted at Google’s Kings Cross office in London.
Sponsors for IWTTF and the IWTTF Awards include founding sponsor Intrepid Travel – whose EMEA managing director Bencheikh is also conference chair – as well as Google, Expedia, Tourradar, Eurail, Visit Malta, Diamond Air, Atkin Jones, BlueSoup and Manchester Airport Group.
Diversity champion and leading industry figure Rzymowska will be moderator for the day, discussing accessibility, ally-ship, ageism, inclusive leadership and more.
A former Celebrity Cruises boss, Rzymowska is currently a non-executive director at Hays Travel.
Excited to MC at #IWTTF event on 27 June, discussing diversity in travel & hearing from leading advocates and trailblazers in DEI. Collaboration is key to change. Looking forward to connecting with like minded people championing DEI across the industry #IWTTF2024
— Jo Rzymowska (@Jovolution) January 31, 2024
The IWTTF Forum Day will be preceded by the IWTTF Awards (June 26), introduced last year to recognise and celebrate the travel industry’s leading advocates and changemakers in DEI and the empowerment of women.
Alessandra Alonso, managing director and founder of Women in Travel CIC, said: “We are excited to kick off our campaign and countdown to IWTTF 2024, and give thanks as always to our amazing sponsors for supporting the event and believing in the mission – we couldn’t do it without them.
“The continuing success of IWTTF and the fantastic response to the inaugural IWTTF Awards last year shows how many people share our passion to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive travel industry.
“Last year, we had a waiting list for both the awards and the forum, and the content – from our incredible keynote speech to our interactive breakout sessions – was phenomenally well-received.”
A series of smaller IWTTF mixer events has also been planned for the coming months.
Main picture: Zina Bencheikh at the 2023 forum.
