The Welcome World

When the welcome world called hospitality welcomes under conditions... reflections on Inclusion, Sustainability and other boring subjects turned into fire on the first Truth behind Travel women-only-roundtable with Institute Tourism.

25th of February 26 was no ordinary day. 11 women from all over the world, invited by Dolores Semeraro were invited for an online and live round table to brainstorm about Travel Media Impact together with Community, Inclusion and Regenerative Tourism.

Only when things get fired up, sustainability, accessibility and inclusion in travel get finally heard. All over the internet we can find articles that sound repetitive for same mindset is running the industry. It feels necessary to stand for a Inclusion Revolution.

Since talking about inclusion alone doesn't bring attraction, we approached a different angle: Considering keywords such as identity and storytelling can brighten up attention, specially when we consider the that the ownership of a true narrative from a place is always best told in the first person. Let's talk about how it is important to recognise that it belongs to those who lived it. And those are true locals that need to be protected and empowered, not exploited. As Sarah Payne pointed out "If we are not giving back to tourism, we are doing colonialism." As entrepreneurs taking advantgae of a location (yes, this is called tourism) we have the responsability to give back and to show case what is being done, helping to leverage local businesses too.

"Too often, tourism development is framed as ‘benefit’ without real consent — or without space for communities to say no, slow down, or shape the terms"- precious thoughts share by Vivienne Gunning, an attendant of the round table.

There is an important perspective about Sustainability, that is: to consider what is not. It might show us how to better understand the underlines and purpose that matters when true involvement with local communities means:

• it is not charity... it is not a moral obligation to turn into local communities, rather than ethical

• sustainability is not about considering locals as cultural ornaments, for they are economic actors

• it is about inclusion- that means learning and teaching with the same oppeness and reciprocity. That means building a long term relationship, not a marketing campaign that exposes greenwashing. Should be win win under both perspectives. Both get to determine the win situation, not just "winning" intentions

• Inclusive is not the opposite of Exclusive: set your tone, work your dream client, your niches, know your ground respectfully

• it means caring and respecting and promoting emotional belonging side ways

Stuck between an urge to debrief about the amazing 90 minutes of the round table and containing about all that is to reflect including ethics, minimalism, hospitality, innovation, community, religion, prejudice, humanity, economic strategies, quality of life, authenticity, job quality and all things related I open the post to question about what have you changed in recent years as a tourism entrepreneur?

On TH2's side we can state it was client's filter. We do not work with non caring organisations believing truly that "your vibe attracts your tribe". We trust in a tribe of creative welcoming hoteliers, curious and eagger to prove their generosity kind of entrepreneurs, open-minded ready to learn and grow business men and women from restaurant, bar, food, hotel and real estate industries. Arms are wide open, let's do magic and focus on the good and pure :)