US-based sustainable tourism group Tourism Cares has expanded its board to 21 members.
Newly appointed members include former Sabre and American Airlines senior vice president Kathy Misunas and Intrepid Travel Americas head of business development Shayna Zand and The Adventure Travel Trade Association chief executive Shannon Stowell.
Newly appointed chair and co-owner of Tauck, Robin Tauck, said: “Each of our new board members has a journey and experience that are instrumental at this critical time.
“Their passion for joining us and achieving sustainable tourism; broadly and boldly, is inspiring and consistent with our spirit of positive change. I thank each of them for their insightful and enthusiastic readiness to join us in making an impact.”
Tourism Cares vice-chair Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism Board in North America, added: “As leaders of the travel industry, we have the ability to create lasting change. There has never been a more challenging time in our industry than now.
“The travel industry must come together in collaboration, not competition, to ensure the current and future health of tourism destinations around the world.
“Tourism Cares has created the space for professionals from every travel sector, from all backgrounds, to unite in ensuring the future prosperity of the people and places who rely on tourism.”
Greg Takehara, chief executive of the non-profit organisation, said: “Tourism Cares is dedicated to the long-term survival of the travel industry, by advancing its positive social, environmental and economic impact.
“To achieve this, we need to collaborate to enact lasting change in the way we do business for the people and places we serve.”