The AWTE and ITT have teamed up to promote travel’s champions of diversity and inclusion, as well as its rising stars, as part of a broader effort to work together more closely "where there are common goals".
AWTE, the Association of Women Travel Executives, will sponsor a new Trailblazer of the Year award at ITT’s Future You Awards.
The accolade will be awarded to someone judged to have championed diversity, equality and inclusion within their business, industry, university or college.
In return, ITT – the Institute of Travel and Tourism – will sponsor a new Rising Star Award at the AWTE’s annual awards for individuals viewed to be “making waves” across the industry and fast-tracking their career.
The new partnership follows the appointment of the new AWTE board last week.
Lindsay Garvey-Jones, AWTE chair and communications director, said: “Our goals and aspirations for the travel industry are so closely aligned that it just makes sense for us to be working together to ensure we achieve our aspirations of being more inclusive and championing diversity and equality.
"AWTE and ITT have always enjoyed a very convivial and positive relationship, and I feel that by working collaboratively allows for even more innovation and creativity as we support our industry in its recovery into 2022 and beyond. It’s an exciting time for all of us.”
Dr Steven Freudmann, chair of ITT, said there has never been a more “crucial time” for collaboration as the industry tries to recover post-coronavirus.
“ITT and AWTE have worked closely in the past and we look forward to strengthening that relationship as we move through 2022," he said.
"The Trailblazer of the Year award is a welcome addition to our suite of inspiring ITT Future You Awards, and we are proud to sponsor the new Rising Star Award, championing the next generation of industry talent, which is at the heart of what ITT is about.”
Visit the AWTE website to find out more about its events this year, including the awards on 6 December.
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