Diversity

Question 1

Gabby Beckford

Answer 1

Emerging Voice

Short
Following the success of her blog Packs Light, Gabby Beckford has formed the Young Travelers Network and co-founded the Black Travel Alliance to empower Generation Z to see the world and increase Black representation in the travel industry.

Long

• Gabby who turned her personal travel blog into an inclusive space where she speaks directly to Gen Z and writes about her experiences as a solo, Black traveler.
• Gabby also started the Young Traveler’s Network on Facebook to encourage travelers aged between 16 and 26 years old to connect directly with one another
• She also co-founded the Black Travel Alliance with 17 other Black content creators to boost representation in travel.

Question 2

Costa Rica

Answer 2

Short
From exploring the plush rainforests and white-sand beaches to enjoying a variety of adaptive adventures like surfing and zip lining, strict accessibility laws make Costa Rica a wheelchair user’s paradise.

Long

• Costa Rica is making efforts to be more accessible to all visitors enriches a destination that is abundant in natural wonders.
• A mixture of progressive accessible tour operators, strong local regulations and direct access to its famous rainforests and beaches for wheelchair users and travelers with disabilities makes it a worthy winner in the Accessible Destination category.
• We also liked that the country now had more options for those travelers who want to visit independently.

Question 3

El Hierro

Answer 3

Short
The far-flung, go-slow jewel of Spain’s sun-drenched Canary Islands is an environmentally-minded escape that enamors travelers of all ages and tastes.

Long

• The Canary Islands have long been known as a great place for a multi-generational vacation, but El Hierro is often overlooked.
• Responsible tourism is key here and the attractions cater to the whole family: hiking trails with spectacular lookout points, remote pebble beaches, natural pools, local giant lizards, some excellent diving that’s suitable for all ages, plus plenty of family-friendly accommodation and an emerging wine scene for the parents.
• Plus, it doesn’t have the wild, late-night side of the other islands, meaning a decent bedtime for youngsters.

Question 4

Hiakai, New Zealand

Answer 4

Short
In New Zealand’s capital Wellington, lauded chef Monique Fiso (fee-so) is on a mission to make native ingredients and Indigenous cooking techniques something Kiwis can be proud of.

Long

• Food is one of the best ways to directly interact with a culture and understand its traditions
• Chef Monique Fiso forages for ingredients native to the Māori people of New Zealand and then uses traditional techniques to cook them in a contemporary fashion.
• Chef Fiso also uses the menu to celebrate Māori storytelling while respectfully using what the land has produced.

Question 5

Jeff Jenkins, Chubby Diaries

Answer 5

Short
In a world of skinny Instagram stars and shrinking airplane seats, Jeff Jenkins uses Chubby Diaries to provide practical information for plus-sized travelers, while also boosting their representation.

Long

• We were looking for a storyteller who not only amplified the voices of a minority, but someone who shared their own success to create a better world for others too.
• Jeff Jenkins’ Chubby Diaries blog provides inspiration, practical information and product recommendations for plus-sized people and empowers his community to see more of the world through groups, meet-ups and a rich mix of photography, videos and resource lists.
• Jeff’s honest and open reflections of life on the road have had positive results too as some tour operators are now more accommodating to plus-sized travelers.

Question 6

Wheel the World

Answer 6

Short
Californian travel company Wheel the World empowers people with disabilities to explore the world without limits, by offering accessible travel experiences in over 30 destinations.

Long

• Wheel the World works hard to remove barriers for people with disabilities so they can experience some of the world’s greatest places.
• From bucket list climbs up to Machu Picchu or diving off Easter Island, the company marries forward-thinking technology with accessible accommodation and transportation methods to offer travel experiences to those with disabilities which are suitable for their friends and family as well.

Question 7

Couple of Men

Answer 7

Short
By sharing their lives and providing insight on LGBTIQ-friendly travel destinations, Couple of Men founders Karl Krause and Daan Colijn aim to inspire and motivate gay travelers as well as those struggling with their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Long

• The Couple of Men blog vividly captures some of the best destinations for LGBTIQ+ travelers, as well as share tips and advice for travelers to feel and be safe in a world that isn’t always accepting of their sexuality.
• It’s a mine of information on LGBTIQ+ destinations, accommodation, restaurants, bars, activities and excursions
• Karl and Daan also amplify voices within their community through interviews with other LGBTIQ+ travelers, building a wider community of voices.

Question 8

Gullah Islands

Answer 8

Short
The isolation on the Sea Islands of the southeastern US coast, allowed the Gullah and Geechee people to foster the most comprehensive African cultural heritage in the country.

Long

• The Gullah Islands continue to preserve of the unique culture where West African traditions, including language, crafts, music and food, were being amplified across the vast Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.
• Stretching from North Carolina to Florida, locals and historians in this region keep the history and cultural heritage of this underexplored region alive through the maintenance of historic sites and culturally significant places.

Question 9

San Diego

Answer 9

Short
Southern California beach city, diverse artist haven and cultural hot spot – San Diego is as rich in adventure as it is variety.

Long

• Minority communities make up over 59% of the total population of San Diego
• different cultures, traditions and voices manifest themselves around the modern-day border city to create a unique destination.
• From the food to the surf culture, or from the 17 different museums in Balboa Park to the burgeoning arts districts of Barrio Logan and La Jolla, San Diego really is a multitude of cultures

Question 10

Amman, Jordan

Answer 10

Short
With its origins stemming from Levantine and Bedouin traditions, the famed Jordanian hospitality is what gives the capital city Amman its soul.

Long

• As travelers who like to visit new places, it’s the hospitality that puts us at ease and makes us feel at home.
• We felt that the geniality and generosity ingrained into Amman’s welcome — where the sharing of food and drink at its heart — was also an experience within itself.
• As an artistic and intellectual capital of the Middle East, Amman also hosts a range of nationalities and diverse travelers who are often in the city for many different reasons, but still welcomed effusively.