A curated collection of can't-miss news from this week, including diverse travel trends and more. Sign up to get the TURNER Weekly Download in your inbox.
The travel industry is doing the work when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Travel Agent Central reports that "The U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Diversity Matters have announced a strategic partnership with an aim to strengthen the association's focus and support of the industry on issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The partnership will also provide greater access to Tourism Diversity Matters' subject matter expertise, research and resources."
NYC & Co. is putting a well-deserved spotlight on the Big Apple's Asian community via the new Asian Experience in New York City content hub. According to TravelPulse, "the new hub will include information on such Asian communities as Koreatown, Chinatown, Sunset Park and Flushing; culture guides; Asian-owned restaurants and businesses and more. It will also include content on annual celebrations, including the Lunar New Year and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month."
On the west coast, the San Diego Tourism Authority will launch the Tourism Accelerator pilot program, a new diversity initiative in January to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the local tourism industry. The SDTA's President and CEO Julie Coker said: "When we grow the number of diverse businesses, we are helping to ensure the local tourism recovery is equitable for everyone, and that is a win-win for our residents and our visitors."
Not every DMO is doing great work in the DE&I space, however. Skift's Lebawit Lily Girma wasn't happy about Tourism Fiji's new "Open For Happiness" campaign. "Here's to hoping we don't see another one of these anytime soon," she writes. "Host communities everywhere, irrespective of the destination's income level or racial makeup, are the face and the raison d'être of this global tourism industry—and they deserve better."
9 gift ideas that celebrate diversity and inclusion this holiday season.