The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) has named Alison Atkinson of Avanti Destinations and B Lavornia of WorldStrides as the 2024 Future Lights of the Tour Industry. The award, launched in 2022, recognizes tour operator employees who have made significant contributions to sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within their companies.
Atkinson, commercial director and executive team member at Avanti Destinations, has led efforts to incorporate sustainability into the company's partnerships and internal operations. Her work includes creating the Avanti Footprint program for employee engagement and the Avanti Footprint Foundation for charitable giving. Atkinson is currently working towards B Corp certification and implementing carbon emission calculations for trips.
Lavornia, senior region and account manager at WorldStrides, has focused on DEI initiatives. They developed training courses on diversity and cultural competency, co-chair the DEI Higher Education Committee, and are a founding member of the company's PRIDE Employee Resource Group. Lavornia has also contributed to WorldStrides' Accessibilities Team as a subject matter expert.
USTOA president and CEO Terry Dale praised the honorees as "outstanding examples of the kind of creative drive and initiative needed to guide our industry to a more sustainable and equitable future." The awards will be presented at the USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace in Marco Island, Florida, in December 2024.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by USTOA. It was fact-checked by a TravelAge West editor.
