Mentorship Program to Diversify the Travel Industry
SmartFlyer Raises Travel Industry Diversity Equality and Inclusion Benchmark with
Launch of New BIPOC Mentorship Program
Creating New Pathways and Fostering Meaningful Relationships, EQTR is a Thoughtful Leadership Program Helmed by Travel’s Most Influential Leaders
March 15, 2021 - Global full-service travel agency, SmartFlyer, is connecting key travel industry leaders with passionate college students through the launch of a brand-new BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) mentorship program, EQTR.
Committed to achieving equity in the luxury travel sector, SmartFlyer decided to create EQTR to foster meaningful and educational relationships between industry experts and young travel enthusiasts / entrepreneurs. The 12-month long mentorship initiative is designed to cultivate future BIPOC leaders and entrepreneurs by providing exposure, training and understanding of a variety of industries that contribute to the $3 trillion-dollar global travel industry – ensuring the next generation of leaders are both diverse and highly knowledgeable.
Centered around breaking down barriers that BIPOC and minority communities face, the initiative is a true crossover between education and the hands-on experience learned when being employed in the travel industry. The one-on-one program will highlight the different industry pathways and career opportunities for students, outside of traditional travel work, including in-house hotel and travel agency roles - a common misconception SmartFlyer / EQTR is eager to change.
“When people think of working in the travel industry, they often only think of hotel jobs, but the reality is that there are so many different career pathways,” said Erina Pindar, Managing Director of SmartFlyer. “This program was thoughtfully designed to support BIPOC students by opening new doors and showcasing the different avenues within the travel space. We want to challenge students' thinking, create new possibilities for them, and offer comprehensive and tangible support as they embark on the journey to become the next generation of leaders.”
Now, more than ever, commitment to, and advocacy for, diversity and equal representation within different travel sectors is imperative. EQTR’s six-person expert advisory board, four of whom are part of the BIPOC community, expertly curated the program to focus on precisely this.
“Having spent over 25 years in the hospitality industry, we are now in a space where the value and importance of equality is widely recognized as not being available to many people of color,” said Yvette Thomas-Henry, Regional Vice President & General Manager of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Nevis. “As an African American woman who has had a successful career, it is imperative to give back to those who would be our next generation of leaders. I fundamentally believe that representation matters, and that I have a responsibility to open doors for others who look like me, that with each open door those opportunities create a ripple effect that leave lasting impression in our community.”
Industry leading mentors, leaders with experience spanning hotels, journalism, communications and the travel agency space, will select their mentee and together they will embark on an educational journey inclusive of ongoing guidance, support and thoughtful inspiration. Mentees will have the opportunity to address a variety of relevant industry themes through a series of workshops, panels, speaker sessions, trade events and more.
At the end of the program, mentees will present their final project work to the EQTR community at the EQTR Innovation Summit set to be held in May 2022. Seven paid internships are available at the end of the program, and EQTR hopes to expand this number in the coming months.
To kick off the program, SmartFlyer and EQTR extend an open invitation to all, to join a virtual summit on March 25, ‘Reframing Diversity to Drive Inclusion and Belonging’ where keynote speaker, Dr. Derrick Gay will share insights on how organizations can better understand Diversity and Inclusion and integrate it into their business practices and strategies. The summit is free to attend, however donations in support of the EQTR initiative are welcome.
To learn more about EQTR or apply to be a mentor or mentee, visit www.eqtr.org or reach out to the team at curious@eqtr.org
Confirmed Mentors
Aba Kwawu, President, TAA Public Relations
Albert Herrera, Senior Vice President at Virtuoso Travel
Annie Fitzsimmons, Luxury Travel Editor at AFAR Magazine
David Solis, Region Director, Sales & Marketing, The Americas at One&Only Hotels & Resorts
Sarah Evans, Partner at J Public Relations
EQTR Advisory Board Members
Brandon Nelson, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of JetBlue Airways Corporation
Erina Pindar, Managing Director of SmartFlyer
Michael Holtz, Owner & CEO of SmartFlyer
Parool Shah, Vice President, Global Brand Public Relations of Marriott International
Simon Mayle, Events Director at ILTM Events
Yvette Thomas-Henry, Regional Vice President & General Manager of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Nevis
Media Contact
Erina Pindar