Marking the fourth year of its partnership with I AM C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D., Internova Travel Group recently brought together local high school students and travel industry leaders for the 2026 Youth Travel & Career Summit, an event designed to promote career discovery and professional development for young attendees. The summit took place at Internova’s global headquarters in New York City.
I AM C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D. (which stands for confident, unique, leading, tenacious, unstoppable, regal, educated and daring) is a nonprofit organization that empowers high school students of color by introducing them to opportunities within the global travel industry through experiential learning, mentorship and cultural exploration.
The summit featured resume-building sessions, LinkedIn workshops, discussions on emerging innovations and networking opportunities with industry professionals. Students also had the chance to connect directly with travel organizations to explore career paths, internships and other opportunities.
During the event, students also heard from peers who attended the summit in years past. Speakers shared how the program broadened their perspectives and inspired future ambitions.
“We believe the future of travel depends on bringing new voices, perspectives and ideas into the industry,” said J.D. O’Hara, CEO of Internova Travel Group. “By opening our doors and partnering with organizations like I AM C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D., we’re helping students see how their curiosity, creativity and ambition can translate into meaningful careers in travel.”
As part of its mission, Internova aims to expand the travel advisor community. By hosting the summit alongside travel partners such as AmaWaterways, Hyatt, Micato Safaris, MSC Cruises, Omni Hotels, Royal Caribbean and Travel Leaders of Tomorrow, the company provided students with a firsthand look at career paths within the travel industry.
“Travel connects people, cultures and communities,” O’Hara added. “If we want our industry to thrive, we need to actively invest in the next generation of talent. We’re proud to work alongside our partners to create opportunities that inspire young people and open doors to careers they may never have imagined.”
