What: USTOA Is Recognizing Leaders in Sustainability and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) announced its first Future Lights of the Tour Industry [https://ustoa.com/future-lights] — up-and-coming leaders who are being recognized as champions of sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within their companies. The 2022 USTOA Future Lights are: Ana Esteves, vice president of hotel operations for Lindblad Expeditions; Dennis Nyambworo, philanthropy coordinator for Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) in Uganda; and Nadine Pinto, global sustainability manager for The Travel Corporation (TTC) and TreadRight.
Why It Matters: These Leaders Will Guide the Travel Industry in the Right Direction
As USTOA marks its 50th anniversary by looking “50 years forward,” the Future Lights program invited tour operator members to nominate coworkers who have made a difference in helping their companies and the communities they touch embrace and address critical sustainability and DEI issues. By recognizing these young stars from its member companies, USTOA shows it is a forward-looking organization that intends to help the next generation of leaders guide our industry in the right direction.
It was so gratifying to see the strides our members are taking towards a more responsible and sustainable future for the tour industry.
Fast Facts: How the Future Lights Are Making a Positive Impact
- Each of the nominations was considered by a panel of USTOA Active and Associate members.
- Trip Mate, a Generali company, is the marquee sponsor of the USTOA Future Lights program.
- The USTOA Future Lights will be acknowledged at a special ceremony during the USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace in Austin, Texas, held Nov. 28 to Dec. 3.
- Ana Esteves honed her expertise in sustainability initiatives and sourcing from local vendors and farmers by working in restaurants from Miami to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In her role as vice president of hotel operations for Lindblad Expeditions, her exemplary skills create enhanced guest experiences with cuisine that is sourced from the regions being explored through an innovative farm-to-table program that supports local farmers and families, while inspiring the Lindblad culinary team across its 11-ship fleet.
- As A&K philanthropy coordinator in Uganda, Dennis Nyambworo has spearheaded every project supported by A&K in the country while articulating the challenges local communities face to an international audience. His programs — which provide income for underprivileged women, enhance education for school-age children and oversee the expansion of safe water in the Bwindi region, among other initiatives — have dramatically improved tens of thousands of lives in one of the poorest regions of the world.
- Nadine Pinto’s primary focus as global sustainability manager for TTC and TreadRight is implementing How We Tread Right, the group’s five-year sustainability strategy, which includes efforts to address climate change. She has initiated its carbon measurement and reporting program that has enabled the company to develop carbon reduction targets, the first science-based targets for a private travel business of TTC’s size. She also oversees data collection and analysis for TTC’s Impact Reports, which measure progress toward the group’s sustainability goals.
What They Are Saying: USTOA Members Are Building a Sustainable and Equitable Future
“It is with great pride and admiration that we recognize these USTOA Future Lights, each of whom will help lead our industry into a more sustainable, responsible and equitable future,” said Terry Dale, president and CEO of USTOA. “As a pilot program that personified our ‘50 years forward’ theme in our anniversary year, we found overwhelming support from our tour operator members, and it was so gratifying to see the strides our members are taking towards a more responsible and sustainable future for the tour industry.”
