Travel Unity Announces 2026 Award Winners; Justin Barnette Chosen as Inclusion Champion by Public Vote
Justin Barnette of South African Tourism wins the 2026 Travel Unity Inclusion Champion Award by public vote. All 2026 winners will be celebrated December 14 in Long Island City, Queens.
Helping People Living with Dementia Keep Discovering the World
Wowzitude, a new Travel Unity member, co-won the 2026 Organizational Initiative Award for Wowzitude Memory Travels. Its guide training, built with WellMed Charitable Foundation, is aimed at in-person tours as well as livestreams. A dementia diagnosis can change how a family travels. It also raises a question for the travel industry: how can it help people keep going? For Wowzitude founder and CEO Susan Black, the question is personal. Her father lived with Alzheimer’s disease, which ended the travel her parents had loved sharing. That experience helped shape Wowzitude Memory Travels™, a program for people living with memory loss and the people who care for them. How Wowzitude Started According to Wowzitude, the company began during the pandemic, when Black’s 96-year-old mother, a lifelong traveler, was confined to her apartment. Black arranged a live Zoom walk through Dublin with a local guide. Her mother could explore, ask questions, and connect with someone walking the streets in real time. Founded in 2021, Wowzitude reports more than 1,200 partner organizations and communities, with about 12,000 people joining each interactive one-hour tour and 150 professional guides leading tours in destinations around the world. Memory Travels grew from that base. Training Built With WellMed Charitable Foundation WellMed Charitable Foundation was a development partner on Memory Travels. Executive Director Carol Zernial is a gerontologist with more than 30 years of experience in aging and caregiving. Under WellMed’s guidance, certified dementia specialists set the program’s dementia-informed criteria and built an eight-part video curriculum for Wowzitude’s guides. They also review the companion TripKits and moderate each weekly Memory Travels journey live. Wowzitude and WellMed self-funded the development. Guides learn to adjust pacing and communication, use repetition thoughtfully, and invite responses without requiring participants to recall names, dates, or facts. Music, sound, descriptions of scent and texture, and movement give people different ways to engage with a destination. Participation does not depend on giving the “right” answer. New training videos are added each month, informed by gerontologists, participants living with memory loss, and caregiver feedback gathered through WellMed’s network of 65,000 caregivers. What the Pilot Found After guide training, Wowzitude and WellMed ran a six-month pilot of weekly livestream journeys through 20 cities. Each pairs a guide in the destination with live dementia-specialist moderation. TripKits offer imagery, music, sensory prompts, and conversation starters so families can extend the experience, and replays let them return to a journey later. WellMed gathered feedback through its caregiver education and support community. Among pilot respondents, 98% wanted the program to continue and 92% said they would recommend it to others. Participants described singing along during a Beatles walk through Liverpool and almost smelling freshly baked bread in Tbilisi, Georgia. From Livestream to In-Person Tours The next step Wowzitude is exploring is carrying the same guiding skills into physical travel. A guide trained in dementia-informed communication can adjust an explanation, offer a gentler prompt, recognize signs of overwhelm, and coordinate discreetly with a care partner. For escorted-tour operators, that is a practical addition to guide preparation. Guides remain guides, with families and care professionals providing the support each traveler needs. Travel Unity looks forward to talking with Wowzitude about how this training could reach more travel professionals.
Meet the Finalists for the 2026 Travel Unity Awards
The finalist slate is set for the 2026 Travel Unity Awards. This year’s awards recognize individuals and organizations across leadership, community impact, academic research, organizational action, emerging professionals, and inclusive travel storytelling. Here are the 2026 finalists. Inclusion Champion The Inclusion Champion Award recognizes an individual demonstrating leadership in advancing inclusion across the travel industry. Community Impact The Community Impact Award recognizes an individual or organization creating meaningful, sustained positive change within communities connected to travel and tourism. Organizational Initiative The Organizational Initiative Award recognizes an innovative, impactful, and replicable organizational initiative centered on inclusive practices. That can include accessibility, workforce initiatives, community engagement, traveler experiences, and product or service design. The 2026 finalists are: Academic Research The Academic Research Award recognizes published, peer-reviewed, or presented research with a thesis anchored in inclusive practices. The finalists are: Young Professional The Young Professional Award recognizes an outstanding professional age 30 or younger making meaningful contributions to advancing inclusion in travel. The 2026 finalists are: Inclusive Travel Storytelling Inclusive Travel Storytelling is new to the Travel Unity Awards in 2026. The category recognizes travel storytelling that broadens representation, elevates perspectives that are often overlooked, and helps audiences better understand people, places, and experiences in travel. Rather than announcing a single finalist slate, winners across the Inclusive Travel Storytelling subcategories will be announced alongside the other 2026 Travel Unity Award winners. Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists. Learn more about the 2026 Travel Unity Awards at:https://travelunity.org/2026awards
PACT Joins Travel Unity Alliance
Travel Unity is welcoming PACT (Protect All Children from Trafficking), formerly ECPAT-USA, to the Travel Unity Alliance, bringing PACT’s child-protection expertise into a network of organizations and professionals working to make travel more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive. PACT’s mission is to protect every child’s right to grow up free from child sexual exploitation and trafficking through education, legislative advocacy, and partnerships. Its work with the travel and hospitality industries includes equipping frontline professionals with resources to prevent child sex trafficking, advancing prevention education, and engaging communities to build a stronger safety net for children. “Child safety and trafficking prevention are issues the travel industry has a real role in addressing,” said Roni Weiss, Executive Director of Travel Unity. “We’re glad to welcome PACT to the Travel Unity Alliance and bring their experience and perspective into the broader conversations happening across our community.” PACT shared: “PACT is proud to join Travel Unity Alliance, a network connecting tourism professionals, destinations, and advocates to make the travel and hospitality industries more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive through innovative approaches to education, professional development, and community building. PACT’s work naturally aligns across all three pillars, from equipping frontline travel and hospitality professionals with the resources to prevent child sex trafficking to advancing prevention education and engaging with the community to build a stronger safety net for children. Together, we can help build a safer travel and hospitality industry, where children are welcome, safe, and included.” PACT’s participation brings an important child-safety perspective into an Alliance that includes destinations, associations, tourism businesses, educators, advocates, and other organizations across the travel ecosystem. Through the Alliance, Travel Unity and PACT will have opportunities to share resources, build connections across the industry, and help travel and hospitality organizations think more intentionally about the systems that keep children safe. About PACT PACT, formerly ECPAT-USA, works to protect every child’s right to grow up free from child sexual exploitation and trafficking through education, legislative advocacy, and partnerships. Learn more: https://www.wearepact.org About Travel Unity Travel Unity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to make the world of travel welcoming to people of all backgrounds and abilities through standards, education, certification, workforce development, events, and community building. Learn more: https://travelunity.org
Nominations Open for 2026 Travel Unity Awards
Six award categories recognize individuals and organizations helping make travel more welcoming. PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., August 10, 2026 — Travel Unity has opened nominations for the 2026 Travel Unity Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations whose work is helping make travel more welcoming. As Travel Unity marks its 10th anniversary, the Awards highlight work taking place across the travel ecosystem, from research and organizational change to community impact, leadership, storytelling, and the contributions of emerging professionals. “Some of the most meaningful work happening in travel comes from people and organizations finding practical ways to make the industry and the travel experience more welcoming,” said Roni Weiss, Executive Director of Travel Unity. “The Travel Unity Awards give us an opportunity to recognize that work and help more people learn from it.” The 2026 Travel Unity Award categories are: Inclusion Champion: Recognizes an individual demonstrating exemplary leadership in advancing inclusion across the travel industry. 2026 Inclusion Champion Award Nomination form Community Impact: Recognizes an individual or organization creating meaningful, sustained positive change within communities connected to travel and tourism. 2026 Community Impact Award Nomination form Academic Research: Recognizes one or more individuals and/or academic institutions for published, peer-reviewed, or presented academic research with a thesis anchored in inclusive practices. 2026 Academic Research Award Nomination form Organizational Initiative: Recognizes an innovative, impactful, and replicable organizational initiative centered on inclusive practices. Eligible work can include traveler-facing experiences, accessibility improvements, workforce initiatives, community engagement, product or service design, and other organizational efforts. 2026 Organizational Initiative Award Nomination form Young Professional: Recognizes an outstanding professional age 30 or younger who is making meaningful contributions to advancing inclusion in travel. 2026 Young Professional Award Nomination form Inclusive Travel Storytelling: Recognizes an individual or organization whose travel storytelling broadens representation, elevates perspectives that are often overlooked, and helps audiences better understand people, places, and experiences in travel. 2026 Inclusive Travel Storytelling Award Nomination form Nominations are open to eligible individuals and organizations across travel, tourism, hospitality, media, academia, the nonprofit sector, and related fields. Self-nominations are welcome, and there is no fee to nominate or apply. Nominations close September 13, 2026. Full award criteria, category descriptions, and nomination forms are available at travelunity.org/2026awards. Questions about the Awards can be directed to [email protected].
Travel Unity is looking for 2027 Regional Summit hosts
Interested in Hosting a Travel Unity Regional Summit in 2027? Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): bit.ly/TravelUnitySummitEOI Travel Unity is now accepting Expressions of Interest from destinations and organizations anywhere in the world interested in hosting a Travel Unity Regional Summit in 2027. Travel Unity is a New York-based NGO founded in 2016 that works to make travel more welcoming to everyone. We work across the travel industry through standards and certification, education and professional development, workforce programs, partnerships, and events. Our Regional Summits bring that work directly into communities, creating space for local and regional stakeholders to connect around the opportunities and challenges that matter where they are. Regional Summit Format The core Regional Summit combines speakers, panels, facilitated dialogue, and hands-on sessions focused on issues connected to the pillars of Travel Unity’s Standards: leadership & workforce, community, and travelers. A typical Summit includes: Day 1: Local roundtables and Opening Reception Day 2: Morning plenary, networking lunch, and afternoon breakouts Day 3: Half-day of deeper dive content We can also expand the Summit based on the host community, with additional workshops, youth programming, workforce activities, inclusive press trips, destination experiences, and other locally relevant components. What we’re looking for We are interested in more than a place to hold an event. We want to work with local partners interested in bringing these conversations to their communities. Our planning process centers local priorities, challenges, and perspectives in shaping the Summit. Travel Unity also brings a global network to these events, and we aim for a strong mix of local, regional, and global participants. Strong candidates will be ready to help us build local participation, connect with relevant partners, and bring a diverse range of people into the room. Completing an Expression of Interest At the Expression of Interest stage, you do not need a complete proposal. The EOI is exploratory and nonbinding, and a detailed venue proposal is not needed at this stage. The EOI asks for: Why your destination is a strong fit for a Travel Unity Regional Summit Potential local speakers and partners, including organizations, communities, employers, and educators Local opportunities or challenges that could help shape the Summit Venue and accessibility considerations Potential financial, in-kind, promotional, community, or programmatic support The hosting fee for 2027 is $20,000 per Regional Summit in the United States and Canada and $25,000 elsewhere in the world. The hosting fee does not include venue, food and beverage, Travel Unity travel and lodging, or other local hosting costs, which are the responsibility of the host. Selected hosts must also be organizational members of the Travel Unity Alliance and cover a required planning site visit for up to three Travel Unity representatives. Full requirements are available here. Learn more about past Summits on the Travel Unity Summit Series page. EOI -> RFP The EOI is the first stage of the process. Travel Unity will review submissions and invite selected organizations to respond to a full RFP. The RFP will go into greater detail around proposed dates, venues, accommodations, transportation, accessibility, local partnerships, host commitments, and other event logistics. We may also hold conversations with prospective hosts before making final selections. Consideration deadlines For Spring 2027 Regional Summits (EOI deadline closed): The EOI deadline (September 18, 2026) has closed. For organizations Travel Unity has invited to the RFP stage, proposals are due October 23 and host selections are anticipated by November 13. For Fall 2027 Regional Summits (EOIs open): Submit an EOI by November 13, 2026. Selected organizations are expected to receive the full RFP by November 20, with proposals due January 8, 2027 and host selections anticipated by January 29, 2027 Looking beyond 2027? We welcome EOIs for 2028 and beyond. Travel Unity may also pursue Regional Summit opportunities outside this EOI/RFP process. Interested in bringing a Travel Unity Regional Summit to your community? Organizations anywhere in the world are welcome to submit. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): bit.ly/TravelUnitySummitEOI Questions? E-mail [email protected] or call +1 (212) 923-7704
Felina Martin at WITS 2026 in Chattanooga
Attending the Women in Travel Summit in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was an inspiring and professionally enriching experience. Throughout the conference, I had the opportunity to connect with exhibitors, industry leaders, content creators, and destination representatives who are shaping the future of travel and tourism. One of the highlights was visiting the exhibitor hall, where I engaged with organizations including Pinterest, the U.S. Passport Authority, and RokitPlace. These conversations provided valuable insights into digital content strategies, international travel resources, and innovative tools that support travel professionals and creators. The conference sessions were equally impactful. The Opening Session set an encouraging tone by emphasizing collaboration, authenticity, and the power of women in the travel industry. I also participated in Storytelling That Sells, which reinforced how compelling narratives can build trust, inspire audiences, and create meaningful connections between travelers and destinations. Beyond the educational sessions, I enjoyed learning about Chattanooga’s community initiatives and hearing the story behind The Chattery, a women-owned business that fosters lifelong learning through affordable, community-based classes. Its commitment to education, creativity, and community engagement demonstrated how local businesses can become powerful drivers of economic and social impact. Networking was another valuable aspect of the summit. I met several travel influencers, tourism professionals, and representatives from destination marketing and industry organizations, including El Paso. These conversations opened the door to potential collaborations and provided fresh perspectives on destination promotion, audience engagement, and partnership development. My greatest takeaway from the Women in Travel Summit is the importance of consistency and relationship-building. Success in the travel industry is not achieved through a single opportunity but through continuously creating valuable content, cultivating authentic connections, and networking with prospective partners. I left Chattanooga with new knowledge, meaningful contacts, and renewed motivation to strengthen my presence in the travel industry while pursuing future collaborations that create lasting impact.
A First-Time Attendee’s Perspective on WITS Chattanooga 2026
Recap of WITS 2026 By Shirley Davis Conner, Conner Hospitality Consulting I was so excited to have the opportunity to attend the Women In Travel Summit in Chattanooga, May 29-31, 2026 thanks to the generosity of Travel Unity. I had never heard of the conference so it was an excellent chance to learn about an entirely different side of tourism than I normally work with. I loved the thought of a conference geared especially toward women, yet open to all genders. I will also say that it was the first conference I had attended since I started in tourism in 1992 that I did not know several people in the room. It definitely made me get out of my comfort zone to network with new people. Shirley Davis Conner at WITS Chattanooga 2026 On Friday, May 29th, Creator 101 was the first session I attended. I paid for this extra class to really learn about travel creators and how this sector of the industry works. In my previous life working at Graceland, Home of Elvis Presley, influencers and content creators were just coming on the scene and the Marketing team worked with them more than I did in the Sales department. This 4 ½ hour session offered a great overview for those like me who were new to digital content creation. It helped me understand how varied the opportunities are in this field. Not only did it talk specifics about blogs, reels, Instagram and Pinterest postings and how to manage them all, it helped guide us in finding out our why. It really showed how creators are entrepreneurs and not just content makers. Beth Santos, the founder of Wanderful, the organization that put on WITS, opened the session by sharing that the creator economy is $32 billion and still growing! Although this class was specifically for “newbies”, there were women of all levels of knowledge in attendance. Some had been posting for personal records/memories (this is me!), some already have websites that they want to build their distribution and monetize better by working with sponsorships or selling content such as books or lists. Some were already working as affiliates on Amazon and other companies where they earn a commission when they promote a product. There were even a couple of travel agents who wanted to up their social media game to entice future trip sales. The 101 class offered a little something for all of us. This was a great session to help us lay the framework for what each of us want to do going forward. Beth and three other speakers led discussions in finding our WHY or our motivation for being at the conference. They helped us to think about what audience we want to reach and what the benefits can be. We looked into how to be successful as a content creator, which format to use and what tools are available to help us move forward. There was a discussion on different revenue paths and what level of income is possible based on the time and effort that is put into content creation. There was also a great talk by an attorney who offered tips on what can be a business expense, figuring out if one needs to create an LLC for a business and how to think about where you are now and where you want to be in three months and then in six months and further in the future, protecting your own content along the way. There was so much information thrown at us in such a short time, that at times I was overwhelmed! However, we did have the opportunity during lunch to sit and visit with our classmates and learn more about who they were and what they did. That really helped me to see that this is not a one size fits all industry! Throughout the conference there were opportunities to make appointments with Mentors who have been successful with content creation. While I was too overwhelmed to narrow down to a specific mentor, it was a great option for those who had attended the conference before or those who already followed specific creators and wanted to learn their advice for expanding the reach of their products. During the same time as the Creator 101 class, a Media Marketplace took place. This allowed creators to meet bands and companies to create valuable partnerships. These one-on-one pre-scheduled meetings seem to be like the meetings we are used to at NTA, ABA and SYTA. A quick sales pitch from both the creator and the brands/DMOs to see how they can help each other bring dollars to their bottom lines. To take part in the Media Marketplace you had to be registered as a Creator. Like suppliers use profile sheets at our travel industry shows, the creators shared their media kits with the brands/DMOs they wanted to work with. This helps them determine which creators will fit best within the demographic the brand is looking to promote their products/trips/locations to. The Friday afternoon Opening Session kicked off with a little networking and excitement about being in Chattanooga. Susan Harris, with Visit Chattanooga, welcomed everyone and Beth Santos talked about what to expect from the weekend. A great part of the sessions throughout the weekend were the 30-Second Sparks. This offered anyone the chance to come to the front of the room and give a quick elevator speech. Some were recruitment pitches looking for partnerships or specific products to fit within a creator’s niche, some were self-promotions offering their skill to others, some were stories of why they came to Chattanooga and some were sharing their goals for the future. No two were the same which was really a great takeaway from the conference. A WITS session highlighting Chattanooga’s community, creativity, and curiosity The WITS Opening Party was hosted by Visit Chattanooga and took place at the Historic Chattanooga Choo Choo just a few blocks away from the host hotel. The bus ride over
Discover Your World Travel Experience: Synthia Achoh
I am Synthia Achoh, from Cameroon, and currently an international student in Japan. I have always been passionate about traveling, and before receiving the Travel Unity Discover Your World Scholarship, I have had the opportunity to visit Uganda and Japan. What made this travel experience unique was that, for the first time, I was fully responsible for planning my trip—choosing the places to visit, making bus bookings, handling hotel reservations, and navigating local transportation within the towns I explored. To me, travel is the greatest teacher. It has continually challenged my perspectives, deepened my cultural understanding, and fueled my curiosity. More than just a hobby, traveling is shaping the person I am becoming. I first heard about the Travel Unity Discover Your World Scholarship through a WhatsApp group. With the scholarship, I traveled from Yaoundé, Cameroon, to Limbe from February 23rd to February 28th, 2025. While in Limbe, I visited the Limbe Botanic Garden, the Limbe Wildlife Center, Limbe Downtown Beach, the Alfred Saker Monument, and, as the final highlight of my trip, I hiked to Lake Nachtigal in Debundscha. Walking through Limbe’s historic sites and landscapes felt like stepping into the pages of my primary school lessons—except this time, I was experiencing them firsthand rather than just imagining them. This trip deepened my appreciation for conservation and history, as I met passionate conservationists, explored iconic landmarks, and embraced the beauty of nature. This journey rekindled my curiosity about the world, inspiring me to explore more of Cameroon and beyond. As I packed for my return to Japan, I felt an even stronger desire to travel, meet diverse people, and immerse myself in new experiences. While my career aspirations in international relations remain unchanged, this experience reinforced my passion for cross-cultural interactions and global connections. It reminded me that understanding history, conservation, and different communities plays a crucial role in shaping meaningful international engagements.
Diversity in Outdoor Recreation: A Personal Journey
By Tiffany Chan, Destinations Program Manager, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) This article shares my personal journey navigating the outdoor recreation landscape as a bicultural woman of Hong Kong descent. My understanding and advocacy for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are deeply influenced by my identity. Experiences as a hiking and rock climbing mentor for Mountain Mentors, a Girl In The Wild leader, and a participant in programs offered by organizations such as Colour The Trails, Soul of Miistaki, All Access Adventures, and Incluskivity have further shaped my perspective. The ongoing journey of unlearning and relearning, while addressing knowledge gaps and unconscious biases, fosters a deeper connection with communities and the land where we recreate. Outdoor Beginnings Every summer during childhood, my family, including aunts, uncles, and cousins, would pack three minivans full of camping gear and venture around the Pacific Northwest. For my parents, camping wasn’t just a way to enjoy nature; it was an affordable means of taking family vacations while embracing life in Canada. These opportunities gave me the immense privilege of access and exposure to the outdoors from an early age. However, during these trips, I became aware that we were the only Asian family at the campsites, feeling embarrassed when my mom spoke Cantonese in the communal spaces. These early experiences reinforced a narrative that the outdoors was not designed for people like me. In early adulthood, as my interest in backcountry hiking and camping grew, I often struggled to find peers who shared my passion. Gear was—and still is—expensive, so my cousin and I pooled our money together to buy our first tent. We then got into rock climbing, which in 2012 was less popular and predominantly characterized by white men and an ego-driven culture. I learned that being a climber meant pushing hard, so I tried. As I transitioned from climbing to mountaineering and from snowboarding to splitboarding, the lack of representation and barriers to entry became increasingly apparent. Financial barriers to gear and courses, combined with the skills gap and lack of knowledge sharing, inhibited my entry for many years. Women and people of color were rarely seen in these spaces, and the discrimination encountered both on and off the mountain was disheartening. It wasn’t until the rise of affinity outdoor groups that this shifted for me. Throughout these years, I learned that, beyond the activities themselves, what I truly sought was community. xThe Importance of DEI in Outdoor Spaces Addressing DEI in outdoor spaces is essential, as access to nature should be a right, not a privilege. Racialized people are often less likely to engage in outdoor recreation, primarily due to historical discrimination. Additionally, it’s challenging to be in spaces where one feels unwelcome or out of place, and a skewed sense of belonging can arise from stereotypes about what it means to be “outdoorsy.” Reframing this narrative is vital. The outdoor industry remains predominantly white and continues to promote a culture of extremes, emphasizing the “conquering” of peaks and objectives. The language used is often colonial, as are the narratives that accompany it. The growth of advocacy for diversity in outdoor spaces has led to inclusive programming tailored to diverse interests and skill levels for Black peoples, Indigenous peoples, people of color, women, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and other underrepresented groups. Most importantly, these organizations not only address issues of access and representation in the outdoors but create supportive spaces for cultural connection and community building. They are essential for fostering psychological safety, mentorship, and skill development. Moving Forward As we continue to make strides toward inclusivity in outdoor spaces, it’s important to bridge the leadership gap by increasing representation among mentors, guides, and role models. Mentorship is a crucial component, offering guidance from individuals who understand the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities and their lived experiences. Informal mentorships, such as group hikes and skills workshops, can also empower participation and build confidence in outdoor abilities. However, mentorship programs, partnerships, grants, scholarships, and inclusive training initiatives require continuous progress to be sustainable. Supporting diverse outdoor athletes, filmmakers, and storytellers further amplifies underrepresented voices and inspires future generations. Additionally, education is important for building understanding and respect for the land. By learning about Indigenous Peoples, cultures, and histories, we deepen our connection to the outdoors and encourage responsible stewardship of natural spaces. While progress has been made, there is much more to be done to ensure that outdoor spaces are welcoming to all. By advocating for DEI in outdoor recreation and fostering connections among diverse communities, we can create a more inclusive environment that enriches the outdoor experience for everyone. As we move forward, let’s redefine what it means to be an outdoors person.