Increasing Diversity in Travel: Interview with Ethan Gelber

Ethan Gelber talks about Travel Unity’s mission to increase diversity in the travel space.

Ethan Gelber (a member of NYC Travel Massive and board member of Travel Unity) has patrolled many parts of the travel industry, but his recent endeavors are as a freelance writer, editor and content marketer specializing in family travel, responsible/sustainable travel, diversity/inclusion in travel, and keeping things local.

Here’s our Q&A with Ethan about Travel Unity and his take on building diversity in the travel industry.

Join the 4th Annual Travel Unity Summit this month at Lake Placid (October 27) and at Tupper Lake (October 28), NY.

What’s the story behind Travel Unity and how are you involved?

Travel Unity (TU) is a non-profit organization focused on increasing diversity in the travel space. Its programs include efforts to help individuals pursue travel as an activity and/or career choice, assist other travel-related businesses in hiring diverse candidates, and support destinations using tourism as a means of economic development.

For its first three years, TU consisted of a summit and panels held in conjunction with the New York Travel Festival (NYTF), an annual series of events for anyone whose lives are touched by travel. The Travel Unity Summit component zeroed in on issues of diversity and inclusion.

This year’s fourth annual summit is the first standalone event and the first time that it will be held outside of New York City.

Having been active in organizing the NYTF since its inception, and helping to realize the first TU summits and related panels, I now sit on TU’s board of directors.

What are the goals for the Travel Unity Summit and who is it for?

When Travel Unity was part of the NYTF, the summit tackled both broad topics, like issues pertaining to African-American travelers and travelers with disabilities (in collaboration with The New York Times) and how to market to diverse groups (with support from New York University), and local priorities such as how tourism can benefit all of New York City (in partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams).

This year, as a standalone event held in the Adirondacks, the summit is about Economic Development Through Diversity, a reflection of how demographic shifts across New York State, like those nationally, demand changes in how destinations and attractions market and prepare for new visitors.

It is intended for any business/destination interested in attracting new business and in being ready when new markets arrive. There is also a zoom on how diversity can help the Adirondacks and how Adirondack institutions pursue that mission.

Who are some of the speakers you’re looking forward to hearing from and why?

The presenters taking part in the Travel Unity Summit panels and workshops will discuss the state of accessibility, diversity and inclusion in tourism, and then unpack how businesses and tourism professionals can address the needs of changing populations in an authentic, welcoming manner. Experts local to the Adirondacks will look closely at the intersection of sustainability and diversity, and cultural exchange in the Adirondacks.

Leading speakers include Markly Wilson, Director of International Marketing for the New York State Division of Tourism (I Love NY); Laura DiBetta, Director of Outdoor Recreation at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Michelle Clement, Director of Marketing for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism; Pete Nelson, a co-founder of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative; and experienced TV hosts, writers, and content producers like Jeannette Ceja (aka Jet Set with Jeannette) and Ernest White II (aka Fly Brother).

For a complete list of speakers: www.travelunity.org/speakers.

What are some companies in the industry that have empowered diversity? How are they doing that?

Diversity and inclusion are topics of growing interest in many travel companies, but a tipping point hasn’t been reached in terms of clear policy and action for all to see. Several thought-leading companies on my radar that have made real strides include Intrepid Group, Airbnb, Lyft, and NOLS.

Interestingly, none are listed on the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion. Launched in June 2017, it counts pledges from over 500 CEOs of the world’s leading companies, committing them and their businesses to cultivating “environments where diverse experiences and perspectives are welcomed and where employees feel comfortable and encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion.” The web-based hub encourages the sharing of actions.

Travel and leisure companies currently on the list are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Carnival Corporation, Delta, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, United Airlines and Wyndham Worldwide.

easyJet set an ambitious target that 20% of new entrant cadet pilots recruited by 2020 are female. What are some other targets in the industry you can share?

Some companies have set clear targets, while others are simply striving for demonstrated growth in diverse hiring practices, clear (and audited) salary equity, safe workplaces that tolerate conversations about complex issues, and reductions in bias, especially unconscious bias.

For specific targets, here are a couple of examples:

Intrepid, which already has staff and tour leaders from 68 nationalities that represent a mix of races, cultures, religions and sexual orientations, has committed to doubling the number of female tour leaders and achieving a a 50/50 gender split in its global leadership team by 2020.

Hilton has also set employee diversity targets: 30% diverse hires for all non-hourly manager job openings, as well as one-third diverse candidates for positions of director and above. At corporate leadership levels, there is a three-year plan to hire 35% females and 20% ethnically diverse leaders.

– Thanks for the interview, Ethan! (All photos (c) New York Travel Festival)