Tuesday, 9th March 2021 marked the ceremony of the fifth annual ToDo Award for Human Rights in Tourism. The award is bestowed by the Institute for Tourism and Development in collaboration with the Roundtable for Human Rights in Tourism and tour operator Studiosus.
Organizations are selected based upon identification of their “extraordinary commitment” to protecting human rights principles at every juncture of the tourism value chain. Equality in Tourism was therefore delighted to be selected as winner of this year’s award. We really value the recognition of our efforts that the award symbolises, in our projects and initiatives in tourism development and academic research.
The ceremony was held as part of the programme of the 2021 ITB Berlin travel trade show. Like so many of this year’s events, due to the ongoing situation with the Coronavirus pandemic, the ceremony was held virtually rather than in Germany. However, this did nothing to quell our excitement! In attendance, albeit digitally, were Equality in Tourism’s Directors, Dr. Stroma Cole and Dr. Tricia Barnett, and Chair and Trustee, Dr. Angela Kalisch. They were delighted to receive the award on behalf of Equality in Tourism. As part of the ceremony, Stroma and Angela gave inspiring speeches which reflected on Equality in Tourism’s achievements as an organization so far, as well as our aspirations for the future.
Dr. Angela Kalisch: “We are incredibly honoured and humbled to be recognised in this way. This award is shared with all the people we are working with to raise the profile of human rights and gender equality in tourism: our wonderful volunteers, our associates, our collaborators, and all the women who are struggling on a daily basis for the recognition they deserve, for decent and dignified working conditions, and a place at the centres of decision-making, where their voices will make a fundamental difference to the way our society is structured. This recognition is especially important in this time of crisis and will inspire us to persevere with our goals.”
Dr. Stroma Cole: “At Equality in Tourism, we work tirelessly to create just and sustainable tourism by transforming gender relations in tourism organizations and destinations.
Through cutting-edge research and thought leadership, we bring concepts, methods, and actions to increase gender equality throughout tourism. Our two Sun, Sand, and Ceiling Reports shows the very limited number of women on the boards of major tourism companies, and how slow progress is.
We promote the equality of women through a Human rights-based approach to tourism and align our work with the United Nation’s SDG5. We fight discrimination, promote empowerment, and challenge inequality in all its forms.
At Equality in Tourism we generate ideas, produce resources, manage projects, and work with a variety of organizations across the world that share our vision. We have great ideas on how each and every tourism organization and destination can work to improve gender equality. Our website has a variety of resources to help people understand gender equality in tourism and women’s empowerment.
Anyone who would like to work with us, who would like to hold a joint event, would like to develop training, seeks advice, requires help with a gender strategy, or who needs a consultant with gender expertise please do get in touch. Let’s work together to prioritise gender equality and give it the place it deserves.”
The occasion forms an important milestone in the development of our organization as ‘thought leader’ in the area of tourism, development, and gender, as well as our goals to advance the tourism industry towards gender parity.
