Travel advisors are perpetually learning. There will always be the next trending destination to research, the newest way to market your business and the latest offer to promote. Owning a business comes with a variety of ways to grow as an individual.
Each month, KHM Travel Group’s company meeting includes a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Minute, presented by our DE&I Specialist Amy Garner. In it, she shares important reminders to educate and bring awareness to important topics related to our host agency and our lives outside the office. Last month, she offered a few suggestions for increasing our own awareness of the experiences of others.
Read or Watch a Story From Someone With a Different Background
Books and movies can provide an escape from our reality. They can also teach and challenge us to consider a new perspective. At any given time, there are a stack of books in my office. Many of the books in that stack and lining the shelves of my bookcases are books that I’ve read multiple times and reference frequently. The stories told in so many great memoirs and movies provide a glimpse into a different way of thinking.
Learn More About a Destination or Supplier You Sell
This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but with so many suppliers, resorts and cruise lines, it may feel overwhelming to keep up. In what areas is your own knowledge lacking? Think about aspects of diversity and how you can learn more about that topic within a specific destination. What religions are most common there? What are their cultural and legal viewpoints on the LGBTQ+ community? What kind of accessibility features exist? Do they celebrate any unique holidays or festivals? If you can’t travel to learn about it firsthand, look for online training and certification you can complete.
Make Inclusivity a Pillar of Your Brand
There are simple steps you can take in your marketing to show a commitment to diversity. A few ideas we’ve shared with our travel advisors include:
- Adding your pronouns to your email signature, website and social media profiles.
- Using alternative text or image descriptions on graphics and captions on vlogs or reels.
- Including people of color, people with disabilities, older people, LGBTQ+ couples and unique family dynamics in the marketing photos you post.
KHM Travel Group recently launched a comprehensive DE&I Resource Library that includes helpful links, recommended reading, an inclusive language glossary and an entire collection of diverse social media images. Diversity in marketing should always be a focus, not an add-on.
Involve Others In Your Learning Journey
Working independently on building your own awareness is helpful, but there are times when other people can be your greatest resource. Have a courageous conversation with a friend, colleague or family member, who you'd like to understand or be understood by better. Come into the conversation with an open mind and spend most of your time listening. If you want to make an impact on your community while you increase your understanding, research opportunities to volunteer, connect and serve in your own area. Observe and get to know your fellow volunteers. You may even be able to serve as an example for others as you collectively work on bringing awareness to important causes.
Each new experience brings with it an opportunity to learn about people and places beyond our bubble. It’s up to us to recognize these situations and not miss the opportunity to expand our understanding.
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