Jamie-Lee Abtar, Executive Director of BAME Women in Travel.
The new Corporate Partnership scheme will see BAME Women in Travel work with committed organisations to create tailored solutions that increase the level of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) inclusion in the workplace.
Women in Travel (CIC), the social enterprise dedicated to empowering women through employability and entrepreneurship in the travel and hospitality industry, has announced the launch of BAME Women in Travel’s Corporate Partnerships.
The new Corporate Partnership scheme will see BAME Women in Travel work with committed organisations to create tailored solutions that increase the level of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) inclusion in the workplace. Corporate Partners will be guided by BAME Women in Travel to accomplish the following four key strategic goals, which support BAME Women in Travel’s core purpose of addressing racial inequality as a societal, moral and business issue:
– Setting tangible targets to increase BAME representation in the travel and hospitality industry
– Breaking the BAME glass ceiling by boosting the profile of existing industry employees
– Raising the profile of existing BAME Women in Travel through ‘Breakthrough to Excellence’ spotlights and collaborative events
– Establishing best practice guidelines and supporting cross-sector Women in Travel networks and interest groups to galvanise change in matters such as ethnicity pay gaps and talent pipelines
As well as being provided with bespoke guidance to reach these objectives, BAME Women in Travel’s Corporate Partners will also benefit from educational ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions and receive regular insights and updates from other Corporate Partners via a quarterly e-newsletter. Each Corporate Partner will also be encouraged to solidify their commitment to the cause by displaying a BAME Women in Travel Supporter logo on their website and in other communication documents. For pricing and to learn more about BAME Women in Travel’s Corporate Partnerships contact Jamie-Lee Abtar at bame@womenintravelcic.com.
The Corporate Partnerships have been launched as part of BAME Women in Travel’s Vision 2023 plan, which seeks to ensure that BAME Women in the travel industry have a fair and equal opportunity to be hired, retained and promoted. The three-year plan is being spearheaded by BAME Women in Travel’s Executive Director Jamie-Lee Abtar, whose experience includes 10 years in the travel sector, including at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).
Speaking about her involvement with BAME Women in Travel, Jamie-Lee Abtar, Executive Director, said: "The Black Lives Matter movement has shone a global spotlight on racial injustice and leaders in organisations are now being asked to step up and commit to racial and social justice and equality in their companies. Our new BAME Women in Travel corporate partnership scheme is a great place to start and we look forward to working with committed organisations in the travel industry. For BAME Women in Travel like myself, it’s not about tokenism, but about being given a fair and equal opportunity because we are talented, smart and capable of driving the growth and success of the UK travel industry.”
Alessandra Alonso, the Founder of Women in Travel (CIC) added: “Our new Corporate Partnerships allow travel brands to collaborate and address shared challenges, with the aim to refocus energy and commitment in UK workforces to drive change and ensure that travel businesses attract, recruit, retain and develop BAME talent."
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
