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.
DEI MYTHS
Myth #1: There are way too many ways to go wrong, so it is better to just avoid DEI. Fact: Look at your employee base. Is everyone from a fairly similar background? Look at your marketing collateral. Do most of the people look like one another? This won’t change on its own. While taking action means potentially making a mistake, sincere recognition and an apology (when necessary) can go a long way. Myth #2: ‘Diversity’ is just another word for “not white”. Fact: Race/ethnicity are one part of diversity; diversity is about all the different aspects of someone that make them an individual with a specific perspective. Travel Unity’s working definition of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) considers Myth #3: As long as you’re not discriminating against people, it is up to them to feel welcome. Most organizations realize that marketing is a necessary part of operations. You can’t just sit back and wait for people to come to you. It is the same for DEI. There needs to be a thoughtful, deliberate approach to making communities feel welcome. Myth #4: Working on attracting certain groups only helps by attracting those groups. Fact: Thoughtful approaches to inclusion go beyond the specific groups you are trying to appeal to, as those who value inclusion will notice it, no matter how they identify. Myth #5: With the right consulting/training/procedures, we will be set for DEI going forward. Fact: DEI is a journey. There will always be more that you can do. While this might be daunting, it means that you can pace and plan your efforts accordingly.
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.
Inaugural Travel Unity Awards Gala
The Inaugural Travel Unity Awards Gala (also referred to as the DEI Awards Gala) was held on December 10, 2024, to celebrate groundbreaking organizations, academic researchers, and individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and measurable impact in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the global travel and hospitality sectors. The Inaugural Awards Gala was an inspiring evening dedicated to celebrating the outstanding achievements of companies and individuals championing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the travel industry. Beyond honoring these industry pioneers, the gala serves a vital mission: raising essential funds to support and empower the travel aspirations of the next generation through our youth program. Central to this year’s celebration is the presentation of our Gala Honoree award to Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. Since taking the helm of Broward County, Florida’s official destination marketing organization in 2016, Stacy has made remarkable strides in transforming the region into a global benchmark for inclusive tourism. Guided by her vision of inviting “everyone under the sun,” her dedication to creating a truly welcoming environment for all travelers embodies the very spirit of the Travel Unity mission.
2023 Travel Unity Summit Caribbean
Travel Unity held its first Caribbean Summit in San Juan, Puerto Rico October 2 & 3, 2023. Focused on bringing together travel professionals to learn about and from inclusive tourism practices across the Caribbean, the sold-out event welcomed more than 50 attendees. “People came from many different parts of the world, so I was really impressed with the diversity of the travel companies. I enjoyed learning about specific ideas that people used, and I just really wanted to be exposed to people who were like-minded. Being in this space, what else can I absorb that I can apply to my own company?” said Milka Rodriguez, Founder & CEO of Globetrotting Dominicana. For many attendees, this was their first Travel Unity experience, and they left the Summit highly satisfied. “Prior to today, I really had no idea about DEI. Just breaking it down, seeing what it actually meant, it really made me want to learn more about Travel Unity,” said Lathysha Semper, Owner of Simply Semper Travels. “I love to learn different things, especially when it comes to travel and tourism. ‘Make Travel Welcome to Everyone’ – that’s something I want to do, and I’m going to find out more about Travel Unity’s certification.” Creating Unity with the Local Communities in The Caribbean Through Travel The full-day Day 2 followed Day 1, which was a roundtable on Community Impact related to tourism in the Caribbean, featuring Roni Weiss, of Travel Unity, and Greg Takehara, CEO of Tourism Cares. They discussed unique opportunities in the Caribbean on deepening ties with the local communities. Kicking off Day 2 was a highly anticipated case study featuring Discover Puerto Rico’s “Live Boricua” campaign. Discover Puerto Rico staff members Jose Arana, Adriana Rivera, and Glorianna Yamin shared insights on their highly successful campaign from the “why” behind the strategic planning to the “what” of specific marketing elements. Most importantly, they discussed the “who” that guided the campaign. “It is very important to create cultural sustainability – educating people on our traditions and cultures as well as reflecting our people, inclusively. This is for the purpose of everyone, not only our Boricuas, but everyone, to be able to see themselves reflected,” said Rivera. Yamin added, “When you’re here, you’re going to feel like you are family. That’s what we wanted to portray. It’s important we portray the culture, as travelers don’t want to travel for “travel” anymore, they want to leave the place better than they found it.” The “conscientious traveler” and the desire to create experiences that speak to them was a theme heard throughout the day, as well as the importance of being authentic to the various groups in the community. The second session was a review of Visit Greater Palm Springs and their award-winning DEI practices. Todd Burke the DMO’s Vice President of Communications, shared how their latest campaign was a reflection of the region’s highly visible LGBTQ+ community. But Burke cautioned that they were aware they had to represent more than one aspect. “We have to balance our outreach, make an effort to reflect all communities in the area. How are we deliberate about telling those stories? We pitch journalists to have a broad approach to coverage of the area, not just the main story.” Burke also emphasized training their whole organization to embed DEI in their foundation, from having a role focused on DEI efforts to the impact Travel Unity had in helping refine processes so that these equitable approaches were part of its institutional memory. Inclusive Caribbean Tours: How Tour Organizers Can Apply DEI The third session was a panel featuring multiple tour organizers who take an inclusive approach for their guests, of all abilities, to enjoy their trips. Moderated by Matt Skallerud, President of Pink Media, panelists Harry Alvarez, of Offbeat Travel, Melina Aguilar Colon, Founder of Isla Caribe, and Laura Ortiz-Villamil, Owner of Sofrito Tours, shared their thoughts and strategies on creating tours for people with disabilities. “I was approached by sign language students who wanted to help translate my existing tours. They wanted to help for free, and I can promote the tours using social media. It’s in a test phase, but most likely, I will have to cap it,” said Aguilar Colon. Ortiz-Villamil revealed that she faced challenges when working with vendors to ensure that the treatment of her guests aligned with her standards. “It can be different with younger generations as they are doing the work to make sure people are comfortable. I do talk with some of my vendors to make sure they are trained and equipped on how to be welcoming to diverse populations.” Alvarez pointed out that in some cases, tour organizers can use the help of local government resources to make their DEI efforts sustainable. The Summit closed with a workshop to introduce how to apply DEI to a travel organization. Facilitated by Vandana Agrawal, a DEI trainer, the session walked through various methods to analyze current efforts and find ways to improve policies regarding employees, practices around visitors and engagement with the local community. Agrawal said it was critical for travel organizations to look at all three elements holistically so they can influence all people their work impacts.
American Voices: United to Reset and Rebuild Travel
This is a virtual Zoom panel discussion about how we can reset and rebuild travel in the travel industry through diversity. This will give participants a glimpse into what they can anticipate the 2020 VR Travel Unity Summit in October. What is an American? This question is being defined by an increasingly diverse population; this panel discussion will delve into what being an American means through the prism of the tourism industry and current events. The panel featured the following: Confirmed Moderator: K. J. Matthews is an accomplished Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist, media trainer, and public speaker. K.J. is has worked with CNN, BBC, DWNews, CNNI, ExtraTV, CBS news, and ABCnews. Confirmed Panelists: 1.Mike Schibel- Founder of Travel with Meaning and the Host of Travel Talks. 2. Imani Bashir- Journalist and Author of coloring book series entitled, “Follow the Takeoff Toddler.” She also released an ebook for people interested in knowing about living abroad, how to make the move and how to adjust which is entitled, “Pack Your Sh*t: The Ultimate Guide to Moving & Adjusting to Life Abroad. 3. Ernest White II- Journalist, Storyteller, and Host of a travel show on PBS, Fly Brother. 4. Kristen Gill- Award-winning writer and photographer Kristen Gill produces content for various publications such as The Guardian, Seattle Times, BBC, NPR, Travel Weekly, and more. Featured as a travel expert on MSN, CBS Travel, and BBC’s “The World.” 5.Latifah Al-Hazza- Emmy award-winning travel journalist as well as the Cofounder of Femscape Sojourns, a boutique women’s travel company. Her work can be read in CNN Travel, The New York Times, Frommer’s Travel Guides, and World Travel Magazine, to name a few. 6. Jeannette Ceja- TV Host, Travel Journalist, Global Public Speaker, and Founder of Jet Set with Jeannette. 7. Jessica Blotter- CEO & Co-Founder of Kind Traveler, a keynote speaker, and journalist on sustainable tourism, and serves on the Board of Directors for CREST (Center for Responsible Travel) in Washington, DC. The moment she discovered the love of travel can’t be separated from the state of the world after witnessing devastating poverty on a trip to Belize, she wondered how the travel industry could be harnessed to benefit local communities, the environment, and animals. This experience led her and her co-founder to harness their entrepreneurial backgrounds to launch KindTraveler.com, the first socially conscious Give + Get hotel booking and sustainable travel media platform empowering travelers to positively impact the destinations they visit. As of 2020, Kind Traveler represents 120+ hotels and 70+ charities in 15 countries and was a recipient of Travel + Leisure’s 2020 Global Vision Award. She holds an M.A. in Education from Ottawa University and a B.S. in Biology from Arizona State University. She currently resides in Manhattan Beach, California. Find inspiration to do more than travel on KindTraveler.com 8. Matt Paco- A Video Content Producer for Lonely Planet. He also owns D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe, which he started in 2018 with his husband in Nashville, TN. Previously, Matt was the Executive Producer of WSMV’s “News 4 Today” morning show, which won the 2018 Regional Emmy for Best Morning Broadcast. He has also worked as a producer for NBC, MSNBC, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, PBS, LOGO, and Fuse in New York City. Currently, Matt is on the board of directors of Saddle Up. He is also the Co-Chair of the Chukkers For Charity Polo Match & Classic Car Show, which benefits Saddle Up and the Rochelle Center – two Tennessee nonprofits that help children and adults with disabilities. Matt graduated from the University of Virginia where he majored in International Relations. The panel will tackle issues like cultural assimilation vs pluralism and nationalism. The panelists, all tourism professionals, will weigh in on what it means to be an American traveling in foreign countries, as well as, how their unique identities could be leveraged to serve as a fulcrum for innovative growth and change within the travel industry.