About Our Youth Programs
At Travel Unity, we believe travel is more than an experience—it’s a pathway to personal growth and rewarding careers.
Through the Future Travel Leaders Network, we connect youth with opportunities to explore, engage, and excel within the travel industry.
About the Future Travel Leaders Network
The Future Travel Leaders Network is where young people are inspired, empowered, and equipped to become advocates for a more inclusive, sustainable, and diverse travel industry. Through interactive, hands-on programs and real-world experiences, we connect youth with professionals, mentors, and a supportive community, helping them discover and explore various career paths in travel and tourism. At the core of our work is a commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), fostering the next generation of leaders who will shape a better future for the industry.
To learn more about the program and/or become a partner/sponsor, email us at [email protected].
Future Travel Leaders Network Components
Virtual Leadership Labs (VLL)
Building Leadership and Industry Knowledge
The Virtual Leadership Labs (VLL) program provides youth with the essential leadership skills and travel industry knowledge to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Through expert-led sessions, hands-on activities, and mentorship, participants will dive into key areas such as sustainable travel, content creation, and budgeting. This program prepares the next generation of leaders to make a lasting impact.
Travel Unity Youth Advisory Council (TUYAC)
Youth Shaping the Future of Travel Unity and the Travel Industry
The Travel Unity Youth Advisory Council (TUYAC) serves as the voice of youth in shaping Travel Unity’s programs and engagement strategies. After completing our Introductory Workshop, youth members are empowered to advise on program development, create engaging content, and influence the direction of the travel industry.
Community Pathways/Community ChangeMakers Program
Building Community Impact and Leadership Skills
This 5-6 week program equips youth with the tools to make a meaningful impact in their communities and future careers. It focuses on DEI, sustainability, and accessibility, participants will engage with local institutions, develop actionable solutions, and advocate for positive change in both the travel industry and broader communities.
Scholarships
Supporting Diversity and Access to Travel Opportunities
Travel Unity offers several scholarships designed to provide youth with the opportunity to engage with the travel industry and beyond, whether through local destinations or international experiences. These scholarships promote sustainable travel practices and DEI, offering youth access to experiences and education that would otherwise be out of reach.
- TU Destination Scholarships: Partner with DMOs and institutions to offer local communities and visitors meaningful opportunities and experiences.
- TU International Scholarships: Empower young people worldwide by offering access to meaningful opportunities and experiences they might not otherwise have access to.
Guest Speaker Experience
Connecting Youth with Travel Industry Professionals
The Guest Speaker Experience program offers students the opportunity to connect with industry professionals through engaging, interactive sessions. Partnering with Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and Travel Unity members, we facilitate guest speaker engagements that introduce youth to various careers in the travel and tourism sectors.
Levels of Engagement:
- Bronze Level: Guest speaker materials, speech outlines, and activity resources.
- Silver Level: Introductions to local schools and assistance with speaker coordination.
- Gold Level: Coordination of up to four guest speaker sessions per year, including logistical support.
- Platinum Level: Involvement in site visits, allowing students to see real-world applications of the speaker’s career.
Youth Forums & Summits
These single or multi-day events feature engaging discussions, interactive activities, and guest speakers. Designed to inspire and educate, these programs provide youth with the opportunity to learn about the travel industry, discuss key topics, and connect with industry professionals.
Site Visit Programs
Travel Unity connects youth organizations with local excursions to explore travel destinations and industry operations firsthand. These site visits offer participants a behind-the-scenes look at the travel industry and allow them to experience different sectors and career paths in action.
Why Join?
When you join the Future Travel Leaders Network, you’re not just gaining skills—you’re becoming part of a movement to shape the future of travel. Our programs offer young people:
- Leadership Development: Build the critical skills that will help you succeed in any field.
- Mentorship: Learn directly from industry professionals who will guide and support you on your journey.
- Hands-On Experience: Apply what you’ve learned to real-world projects, making an impact in your community and beyond.
- Networking: Connect with peers, mentors, and travel professionals to grow your career prospects.
- Incentives: Earn rewards, scholarships, and recognition for your hard work and accomplishments.
Join Us Today!
The travel industry is evolving, and we want you to be a part of it. Explore the opportunities, gain new skills, and become a leader who will help shape the future of travel.
Past Youth Programs
Global Scholars Program
Travel Unity’s Global Scholars Program (GSP) is a 4-module leadership program, training students to become ambassadors for Travel Unity in their local communities.
Youth Volunteer Program
This program offered a unique opportunity for change and connection, and for discovering how DEI is present in your community. Participants and a global network of youth, mentors, and industry leaders collaborated with us.
YVP is composed of three sessions. Each session consists of four weeks of engaging Zoom meetings held every Wednesday, followed by two weeks of independent projects to deepen your understanding further. During our weekly meetings, volunteers engaged in a variety of impactful projects. They collaborated with TU advisors on DEI initiatives aimed at shaping a more inclusive future, and created social media content that highlights champions in the community