Women in Travel CIC has welcomed more male travel industry leaders into its allyship programme as the scheme enters its second year.
Each new ally will be matched with a woman in the travel industry who they will meet with monthly to discuss relevant topics, teach, support and mentor.
Men joining the allyship include Adolfo Penzato, Intrepid Travel; Anthony Daniels, Hurtigruten; Clive Wratten, Business Travel Association; David Atkin, Sanderson Phillips; Howard Salinger, Travel Connection Group; Martin Alcock, The Travel Trade Consultancy; Sam Clark, Experience Travel Group; and Tony Seaman, Not in the Guidebooks.
More: Interview: Women in Travel’s Alessandra Alonso
Alessandra Alonso, Women in Travel CIC’s founder and managing director, said speaking to men about gender diversity is “critically important” in reaching the social enterprise’s goal of equality.
“As the male allyship programme enters its second year, we are excited to welcome new allies to our network and look forward to matching them with the next cohort of participating industry women,” she said.
“With still significantly more men than women in senior roles in the industry, we believe that engaging men in the conversation about gender diversity is critically important if we are to change the status quo.
“Men often shy away from these conversations due to fear of making mistakes but on the contrary, we want senior male leaders to see themselves as part of the solution and not the problem.
“We are inspired that so many senior industry figures are keen to be involved which is testament to the success and reputation that has been built over year one.
“We also know that the male allies that have taken part so far have found it a very reciprocal experience – we all learn together – so we hope very much that many more will join us.”
BTA’s Clive Wratten said: “I’m delighted to be part of the male allyship programme. I firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are the building blocks that make a great team and are integral to the future success of the travel industry.
“I’m confident I can develop a beneficial exchange of knowledge with my mentee and can’t wait to get started.”
Hurtigruten’s Anthony Daniels said: “Those of us that have been in this business for a long time have hopefully accrued experience and knowledge worth sharing and if that can be used to inspire others and help them achieve success it can only be a good thing for the industry as a whole.”