Accelerator for women and non-binary tourism entrepreneurs launches

wmnsWORK is a new accelerator program focused on women and non-binary entrepreneurs creating tourism-focused startups.

The program is the brainchild of Iris Serbanescu, who spent the past decade working in travel – most recently as director of partnerships at TourRadar and also as manager of trade development at Bannikin .

Serbanescu says the idea developed during the pandemic as she thought about her experience in the industry, working primarily with and for men, and also as she read research such as the World Tourism Organization’s Global Report on Women in Tourism .

“There were alarming stats - like 55% of the industry is made up of women but less than 8% hold board positions... so most of the money and power in the industry lies with men,” she says.

“I wanted to bring together a solution that empowered businesses run by women...  to come to a place that had not just education but to create a container women that were learning but also supporting each other and creating a sense of community among ownership and leadership in the industry.”

Serbanescu is currently running a beta cohort with eight participants, six from North America, one from Scotland and one from India, who are helping her refine the program. Applications are now being accepted for the first official cohort that will begin in mid-May at a cost of $2,500 per person, with a second one slated to start in September.

The program is structured as a 12-week experience with weekly instruction provided by industry leaders and entrepreneurs on topics such as funding, marketing, legal issues and “entrepreneurial mindset.” Participants are also matched with a mentor that meets with them six times during the program, and they have the opportunity to hear from additional speakers in a “fireside chat” format.

While the program is open to all applicants, Serbanescu says the target audience is women and non-binary entrepreneurs creating tourism-focused startups, such as tour operators and hotels. To minimize barriers for applicants, Sherpa and Exodus Travels have signed on as sponsors of wmnsWORK to develop scholarships for racialized, disabled and LGBTQIA2S+ entrepreneurs.

Another effort focused on improving diversity, inclusion and sustainability in the travel industry also launched recently through a partnership between The Conscious Travel Foundation , a United Kingdom-based non-profit, and Lightning Travel Recruitment .

The “Ambassadors Program” will select ten “conscious travel advocates” who will receive membership to the foundation and have the opportunity to use the platform to raise awareness of issues such as sustainability, representation of Black, ethnic and minority people, women in leadership, and more.

“From students and campaigners to global disruptors with a vested interest in inclusive, positive impact travel, we are excited to welcome 10 new and dynamic voices into the foundation. We are passionate about changing the travel sector for the better in a way that will not only benefit those in the industry but have a positive impact on the planet for future generations,” says Olivia Cryer, creative director at The Conscious Travel Foundation.