Travel companies are encouraged to recruit inclusively for a broader market appeal.
- Amrit Singh emphasises the need for diverse teams to enhance product diversity.
- Research is key to meeting the needs of underrepresented traveller groups.
- Understanding needs is essential to improve travel experiences for LGBTQ+ communities.
- Accessibility features should be promoted to attract travellers with disabilities.
The call for travel companies to recruit from every segment of the community comes from Amrit Singh, co-founder and managing director of TransIndus. During a panel session on diversity, equity, and inclusion at Lata Expo 2024, Singh highlighted that a diverse management and team is crucial for integrating diversity within travel products. “Add someone from every segment of the community into your own company structure and then it becomes much easier,” she emphasised.
Singh also noted that if companies struggle to attract certain groups, research is a vital tool. “You learn about their requirements and you deliver them on the ground and it works,” she explained, underscoring the importance of understanding the unique needs of different traveller segments.
Further supporting this view, Edgar Weggelaar, chief executive of Queer Destinations, pointed out the challenges faced by travel agents in selling to LGBTQ travellers, mainly due to a lack of knowledge. He suggested that training could bridge this gap. “We don’t want to go on holiday on our own – we want to go on holiday with you,” he stated, highlighting that small actions can foster significant change.
Simon Miller, founder of Enable My Trip, urged companies to visibly demonstrate their capability to accommodate travellers with additional needs. He pointed out that hotels and transport facilities often fall short in serving this market, despite its potential for growth. Highlighting the eight and a half million wheelchair users in North America and Europe, he insisted on the need for inclusivity. “Everyone should be given the opportunity to see the world, because it broadens the mind and makes you more tolerant of other cultures and religions. You just need to give people a bit of help,” Miller stated.
Achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce is vital for travel companies aiming to cater to a wider array of traveller needs.
