The organisers of the International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum (IWTTF) and awards have unveiled details of next year’s event, following their “huge success” in June.
Women in Travel CIC said the IWTTF’s awards ceremony will be hosted again by Expedia in its Angel-based offices in London on June 26, 2024, followed by the forum’s business day, hosted by Google at its King’s Cross office on June 27, 2024.
IWTTF said this year’s event was the biggest yet, covering topics such as the impact of the climate crisis on women, removing barriers to innovation by harnessing technology and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and neurodiversity.
The event also revealed information from Women in Travel’s research into attitudes towards allyship.
IWTTF 2023 saw the addition of the IWTTF Awards, celebrating the best in DEI in travel and tourism, plus a quiet room for people who are neurodivergent.
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Next year will be the third consecutive year that Google has hosted IWTTF and founding sponsor Intrepid Travel will also be involved, including forum chair Zina Bencheikh – EMEA managing director at Intrepid.
Bencheikh said: “The [2023 forum] was a huge success, with more people in the room than ever before.
“It was particularly great to see more male business leaders attending, as we need buy-in from everyone to make real change.”
Alessandra Alonso, managing director and founder of Women in Travel CIC and IWTTF, added: “We were delighted and grateful to hear all the positive feedback from this year’s event.
“It is incredibly motivating to be in a room where everyone present is clearly passionate about bringing positive disruption to our industry.”
Finnbar Cornwall, travel industry sector leader at Google, commented: “There were so many meaningful conversations taking place on the day, on the stage and privately amongst the delegates.
“We are really proud to support this forum to facilitate discussions on the important topics of allyship, diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Abu Bakarr Bundu Kamara, senior director of global inclusion and diversity at Expedia Group, said: “We are excited to be back hosting the IWTTF Awards 2024. This year’s inaugural event felt like the start of something incredibly special, and we’re extremely proud to be part of the movement to bring more equity, diversity and inclusion into the industry, and celebrate those at the forefront of it.”
