Dubai is set to host the inaugural overseas International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum (IWTTF) next month, marking a significant milestone for the event series.
- Scheduled for November 19, the Forum will be an invitation-only event, providing a platform for networking and learning in the travel industry.
- The Forum will highlight key themes including leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion, reflecting the core values of Women in Travel CIC.
- Long-term partners such as Intrepid Travel and Google will continue their involvement, supporting the development and logistics of these events.
- With the launch of IWTTF in Dubai, the event aims to strengthen its international presence while preparing for next year’s London conference.
Dubai will host the first overseas International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum (IWTTF) on November 19, marking a new chapter for the event series. An invitation-only initiative, this Forum seeks to provide a robust networking and learning environment for industry professionals in the region. It is designed to resonate with the principles of Women in Travel CIC by focusing on leadership, recruitment, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Confirmed long-term partners Intrepid Travel and Google will contribute significantly to the event. Google will host the event at its regional office in Dubai, demonstrating its commitment to the initiative. Both organizations are instrumental in structuring the sessions and managing logistical aspects of the Forum.
Women in Travel CIC has also announced the dates for next year’s London conference. The conference, open to all industry sectors, will take place on June 19, 2025, with the IWTTF Awards occurring the day before. Ticket sales are expected to commence early in the year.
The ultimate aim of these events is to leverage profits to further Women in Travel CIC’s mission, which seeks to connect underserved and diverse female talent with employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors.
Women in Travel Managing Director Alessandra Alonso remarked on the significance of expanding the Forum internationally, emphasizing its role as a platform for discussions about gender equity and DEI within the travel industry globally.
Google’s Senior Lead for Travel, Retail & Consumer Goods MENA, Marie De Ducla, praised the travel industry’s economic impact in the Middle East and North Africa. She highlighted the crucial role of inclusion in driving growth, supporting the Forum’s objectives to empower women within the industry.
Intrepid Travel EMEA’s Managing Director, Zina Bencheikh, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the Forum’s expansion into a new market. She noted the transformative potential of tourism in the Middle East, emphasizing the Forum’s capacity to foster significant advancements for women in the region.
The launch of the IWTTF Gulf signifies a pivotal step in establishing a truly global platform for women in the travel industry.