Our Vision

Our Definition of Travel

When people leave their usual environment, they come into contact with new people, new sights, new experiences, and new ideas.

That exposure allows individuals to learn more about themselves and the world around them, creating greater internal and societal awareness.

For Travel Unity, travel experiences go beyond those involved airplane travel.

For us, travel includes:

• local experiences, like going to a restaurant in a different neighborhood, visiting a cultural institution to see the exhibits or for an event, or joining a local tour
• regional experiences, like day trips or camping
• short and long-term relocation for school or work

Our Philosophy

Travel should be welcoming to people of all backgrounds and abilities.

We will work with anyone who commits to live by this view.

We believe in diplomatic empathy – understanding others to allow for win-win scenarios. This does not mean guaranteed agreement or forced acquiescence, but a commitment to always trying to put yourself in the shoes of others.

More ideas we believe:

• No one is perfect. DEI is a process for everyone who commits to it (including us). 
• Intent is not enough. Real change only comes through active listening and diplomatic empathy.
• We firmly include “local travel” and cultural institutions into our programming and education initiatives.

A Holistic Approach to Diversifying The Travel Industry

While traveling is an as aspiration for many people, the travel industry itself isn’t always an obvious career path.

Travel is, arguably, the world’s largest industry, encompassing a wide variety of economic activity, including airlines, restaurants, hotels, and attractions, along with the technology, marketing, public relations, etc. to support these organizations.

Like all industries, travel/tourism/hospitality needs to fill roles at all levels and functions:

• Entry-level, like front desk staff, prep cooks, etc.
• Management
• Executive staff

Outside of more traditional career roles, the travel industry is replete with startups that seek to disrupt the status quo, providing entrepreneurial opportunities, as well.

We see diversifying the world of travel as needing both bottom-up and top-down approaches. You cannot encourage individuals to pursue roles that they aren’t going to be considered for, so it is just as important to us to work on increasing opportunities and awareness within the industry as it is to inspire people to join it.

To learn more, email info@travelunity.org or call +1 (212) 923-7704