U.S. Travel Association is the latest organization to join the fight for a more inclusive travel industry.
This week, the association announced its new strategic collaboration with Tourism Diversity Matters, an organization founded in 2021 to “address blind spots in ethnic disparities within the tourism and events industry” while also providing industry colleagues with the resources to promote effective diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies, according to a press release from U.S. Travel.
Prior to partnering with U.S. Travel, Tourism Diversity Matters has worked on DEI initiatives with Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, and San Diego State University’s L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management to conduct academic research on issues related to DEI.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line and national chair of U.S. Travel, is a member of Tourism Diversity Matters’ board of directors, as is Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel.
“A key goal of Tourism Diversity Matters is to affiliate with industry partners, such as U.S. Travel Association, to advance diversity, equity and inclusion solutions that will benefit the tourism and events industry as a whole,” said Greg DeShields, executive director of Tourism Diversity Matters. “We welcome this new partnership and look forward to the positive impact that will come from our work together.”
Diversity strengthens organizations by bringing new ideas and perspectives to the forefront.
Dow said he believes U.S. Travel’s alignment with the organization “is a great step toward this pursuit that will enrich U.S. Travel’s membership for years to come.”
“Diversity strengthens organizations by bringing new ideas and perspectives to the forefront,” added Contina Djaouga, vice president of finance for U.S. Travel Association and head of the association’s internal DEI committee. “Tourism Diversity Matters provides the resources for our industry to take meaningful action to build an inclusive workforce that better represents our country’s diverse population.”
The Details
Tourism Diversity Matters
U.S. Travel Association
