A new head of communications and campaigns at charity Safer Tourism Foundation has been recruited to help raise industry awareness of its Safer Tourism Pledge.
The set of commitments aims to instil confidence in consumers that participating travel brands adhere to the highest standards of safety excellence.
The role has gone to Stephanie Boyle, who has previous PR experience working for Tripadvisor, Skyscanner and VisitEngland, will lead the charity’s efforts to help travellers understand how to stay safe and well while travelling.
Her involvement with the charity will be alongside consultancy work with Arwen Communications, which she set up recently.
Safer Tourism Foundation chief executive Kathy Atkinson said: “We’re delighted to bring Stephanie on board. She is joining us at a pivotal time for the charity as we work to collect data to better understand the root cause of preventable deaths and injury, as well as influence traveller perception of risk.
“Stephanie will lead Safer Tourism’s campaigns work to drive traveller awareness and behavioural change, as well as champion Safer Tourism Pledge partners, committed to adhering to the highest standards of safety excellence for travellers.”
Boyle added: “As a keen traveller myself, as well as a mother and stepmother, I am deeply aligned with Safer Tourism’s mission to prevent harm, injury and death to UK travellers, both at home and abroad.
“I am looking forward to working with Kathy and the trustees to facilitate cross-industry collaboration and influence traveller behaviour when it comes to risk.
“I’ve always been drawn to opportunities that allow me to work with both travel professionals and consumer audiences, believing strongly that the ecosystem thrives and improves through two-way communication.
“In the wake of the pandemic, and following a summer of unprecedented climate-related events impacting travellers abroad, Safer Tourism’s mission has never been more important.”
Most recently, she founded a specialised communications consultancy advising companies across multiple sectors.