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TRAVEL UNITY PLEDGE

Travel has the power to unite and connect people, provided we are open to listening and growing.

This pledge is for all who believe that the world of travel should be welcoming to people of all backgrounds and abilities.

Sign the pledge: travelunity.org/pledge

Seeking Understanding

I know that my life and views are shaped by my experiences and the body that I inhabit. Others experience very different lives, with different advantages and challenges.

I will listen to and learn about others' experiences, especially where they differ from my own.

Self-Improvement

I know that people can stumble when talking to others who live in different circumstances.

I accept that I will make mistakes and so will others. I will do the work to learn from my mistakes and those of others.

Speaking Up

I will be constructively vocal when I see inequities, especially when I am coming from a place of privilege that will amplify my voice.

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DEI Standards for

Travel & Tourism

travelunity.org/standards

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PROCESS

To begin the process of codifying DEI standards for travel and tourism, Travel Unity assembled 80+ individuals and organizations from inside and outside the travel industry to discuss codifying standards for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the world of travel.

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TIMELINE

Mon. July 13

Thurs. July 23

Mon. Aug 3

Ongoing

Criteria will be publicly released, with input requested for Indicators.

Indicators and Certification Program

Set for 2020

Criteria & Certification Revised

End of Open Feedback for Indicators

Criteria

Released

Final Indicator call. 1-2pm ET.

E-mail for an invite.

Criteria + Indicators set for 2020.

Pilot program application launched.

Criteria will be publicly released, with input requested for Indicators.

CRITERIA

(WHAT)

INDICATORS (HOW)

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TRAVEL UNITY AT A GLANCE

MISSION

Travel Unity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on increasing diversity in the world of travel through empowering individuals and communities.

STAFF OFFICERS

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TRAVEL UNITY AT A GLANCE

DIRECTORS ADVISORS

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OUR PHILOSOPHY

No one is perfect. DEI is a process for everyone who commits to it (including us).

Intent is not enough. Real change only comes through active listening and diplomatic empathy.

We meet people and organizations where they are. We will work with anyone who wants to make travel welcoming to people of all backgrounds and abilities.

We firmly include “local travel” and cultural institutions into our programming and education initiatives.

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WHO WE SERVE

Individuals: Showing individuals (especially young people) the value of travel for personal and professional development, as well as career paths available in the travel industry

What we do: Excursions, internships/pre-apprenticeships, seminars, guest speaker series, programming for youth/school programs, virtual learning centers

Organizations: Working with destinations and tourism products in the travel industry to broaden their candidates, infuse DEI best practices, and assist them in providing welcoming experiences to guests of all backgrounds and abilities

What we do: Diversity training/workshops, media representation, cultural sensitivity in media, networking events/opportunities, speaking at outside events

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Travel Unity Pledge - travelunity.org/pledge

Applications open for Certified by Travel Unity Pilot Program - August 2020

2020 Virtual Travel Unity Summit - October 21-23, 2020

UPCOMING FOR TRAVEL UNITY

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These standards are appropriate for any organization that wants to welcome visitors of all backgrounds and abilities, including:

Hotels, Museums, Restaurants, Theme Parks, Tour Operators, etc.

Destination Marketing Organizations, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, etc.

WHO ARE THESE STANDARDS FOR?

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Pre-Launch: Collaborative creation process

Post-Launch: Periodic updates

Useful for organizations of all sizes

Less metrics, more process

Inclusion and engagement, not quotas

Publicly released Criteria and Indicators (like SDGs and GSTC)

Upcoming certification program - Certified by Travel Unity

OUR APPROACH TO STANDARDS

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DEI: diversity, equity, and inclusion - (Travel Unity includes racial/ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender expression, and ability/disability as groups addressed in this broad category)

DLI: diasporan, local, and indigenous

Standards: all of the criteria together

Criteria: expectations for organizations

Indicators: measurements to see if an organization meets the criteria

Certified by Travel Unity: TU’s certification program

TERMINOLOGY & TAXONOMY

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There are three pillars of the standards:

Visitorship

Workforce Development

Community Impact

PILLARS

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Criteria Categories

Stakeholder Engagement

Marketing & PR

Welcoming & Fulfilling Experiences

Partner Engagement

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Stakeholder Engagement Criteria

Stakeholders - individuals and organizations who are affected by and/or influence your business - must be identified.

There must be a plan for regularly engaging with and receiving input from stakeholders.

There must be a process for analyzing stakeholder input.

Plans must be regularly created based on analyzed stakeholder input.

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Marketing & PR Criteria

Pre-Campaign

Campaign Planning

Campaign Execution

Post-Campaign

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Marketing & PR Criteria

Pre-Campaign Criteria

The following must be analyzed through the prism of DEI:

Existing collateral, including website and standard printed materials

Audience markets, both current and potential

Marketing/PR of competitor and comparative organizations

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Marketing & PR Criteria

Campaign Planning Criteria

The following must be analyzed through the prism of DEI:

Campaign strategy and goals, including consideration of new audiences and post-campaign analytic framework

Timing & frequency of campaigns

Product messaging and delivery

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Marketing & PR Criteria

Campaign Execution Criteria

The following must be analyzed through the prism of DEI:

Campaign launch

Mid-campaign adjustments

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Marketing & PR Criteria

Post-Campaign Criteria

The following must be done through the prism of DEI:

Gathering and analyzing data, through both internal and external input

Revising general campaign strategies, including metrics

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Welcoming & Fulfilling Experiences Criteria

Before Visit

Visit

After Visit

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Welcoming & Fulfilling Experiences Criteria

Before Visit Criteria - COMPANIES AND DESTINATIONS

The organization needs to appropriately train staff and volunteers to address possible visitor issues around DEI.

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

Welcoming & Fulfilling Experiences Criteria - COMPANIES

Before Visit Criteria

The booking and confirmation process needs to be considered through the prism of DEI.

The organization needs to advocate on behalf of visitors to relevant government or other appropriate bodies.

There must be clear methods for visitors to converse with an official representative of the company to address concerns in advance of their visit.

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Welcoming & Fulfilling Experiences Criteria - DESTINATIONS

Before Visit Criteria

There must be clear methods for visitors to converse with an official representative of the destination to address concerns in advance of their visit.

Destinations need to provide resources on DEI to local companies.

The destination needs to advocate on behalf of visitors to relevant government or other appropriate bodies.

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Welcoming & Fulfilling Experiences Criteria

Visit Criteria - COMPANIES AND DESTINATIONS

The following need to be analyzed through the prism of DEI:

Welcome
Stay
Sendoff

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Welcoming & Fulfilling Experiences Criteria

After Visit Criteria - COMPANIES AND DESTINATIONS

It must be clear how visitors can share feedback after their experience.

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Partnerships Criteria

There must be a plan:

to regularly seek out and communicate with (potential) partners to collaborate on bringing in a diverse body of potential visitors/customers
for regular communication with appropriate ongoing outside partners
for staff time dedicated to managing relationships and programs with outside partners
to analyze the level of success of partnerships and to adjust programming accordingly

VISITORSHIP CRITERIA

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Criteria Categories

Hiring & Pipeline

Training, Development, and Evaluation

Organizational Staff Support

Debriefing

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA

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Hiring & Pipeline Criteria

Organizations must have programs, policies, and procedures:

to find and attract a diverse array of potential candidates

to train and monitor interviewers to avoid biases

on how to provide clear and consistent pay and benefits

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA

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Training, Development, and Evaluation Criteria

There must be a clear and consistent process for onboarding new employees, including appropriate DEI-related training.

Organizations must balance employee roles with opportunities for professional development.

There must be clear and consistent programs, policies and procedures for employee reviews and promotions.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA

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Organizational Staff Support Criteria

Organizations must have programs, policies, and procedures:

to promote work/life balance

to address employee health issues, both physical and mental

to allow for work sabbaticals and family leave

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA

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Debriefing Criteria

There must be an upwards feedback process for those getting promoted within the organization.

There must be exit interviews for those leaving the organization.

Channels must remain open for alumni employees to give post-employment feedback and suggestions related to DEI.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA

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Criteria Categories

Local Environment

Local Employment & Contractors

Local Engagement

Local Culture

COMMUNITY IMPACT CRITERIA

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Local Environment Criteria

There must be standard operating procedures to avoid and address negative environmental impact.

Organizations must demonstrate application of SOP.

COMMUNITY IMPACT CRITERIA

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Local Employment & Contractors Criteria

There must be:

a program for work-based learning for students, e.g. work site visits, internships, and (pre-)apprenticeships

a protocol for working with local contractors and businesses operated by historically marginalized populations

a system to inform locals of job openings and industry career opportunities

COMMUNITY IMPACT CRITERIA

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Local Engagement Criteria

There must be a plan:

to regularly seek out and/or communicate with a diverse and inclusive set of potential local partners for collaboration

for regular communication with appropriate local partners

for staff time dedicated to managing relationships and programs with local partners

to analyze the level of success of local partnerships and to change the plan accordingly

to include representatives from local community groups on Advisory Boards and similar bodies

COMMUNITY IMPACT CRITERIA

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Local Culture Criteria

There must be a plan:

to engage with pertinent groups and communities around products that relate to diasporan, local, and/or indigenous (DLI) cultures

for discussions open to the public around products related to DLI cultures

to continuously process input around programming involving DLI cultures

COMMUNITY IMPACT CRITERIA

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Contact

Roni Weiss

Executive Director

Email: roni@travelunity.org

travelunity.org

+1 (212) 923-7704

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What is the definition of a ‘stakeholder’? Who should be included as a ‘stakeholder’?

What types of partnerships should organizations be expected to maintain?

Local
Further afield

How should an organization be required/expected to engage with the local community?

QUESTIONS

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