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About Us

About Us

Women in Travel CIC is the UK-based, award-winning social enterprise dedicated to empowering ALL Women+ using travel, tourism and hospitality as a ‘force for good’. We believe that empowered women thrive and in turn, foster thriving communities.

We partner with employers and charities to provide all women+ – especially marginalised, vulnerable, and underrepresented – with visibility, confidence, access to training, mentoring and eventually employment and enterprising.

Our Commercial Services:

  • DEI Leadership, Training and Consulting
  • Events, IWTTF & Awards, Lunch N Learn Online Webinars and Educational Activities
  • Mentoring and Allyship (for individuals and corporations)
  • Enterprising and employability programmes (connecting organisations to our most vulnerable yet talented candidates).

WE CAN HELP to find staff by providing access to a pool of skilled individuals from a diverse background who are eager to get back to work.

In 2020 we have helped over 150 women through 1200 hours of guided support!


Click here to watch our video

Alessandra Alonso

Founder & Managing Director

Alessandra is the plural-nominated, award-winning founder and MD of Women in Travel CIC and a professional with 20 years of experience in travel and tourism.

Alessandra started her career as a trainee in Tourism at the European Commission and later gained senior roles in companies including The World Travel & Tourism Council and KPMG. She subsequently pursued her passion for supporting women and diversity more generally by setting up consultancy Shine and co-founding the Shine Awards for Women’s Achievement in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality in 2004.

Recognised as a trailblazer in the sector and an expert in gender empowerment and mentoring, Alessandra is also a keynote speaker and regular contributor to publications.

She was awarded the JourneyWoman Award in 2021 for her lifetime dedication to gender empowerment. She has been named one of 9 women transforming travel by the Matador Network; one of 50 ‘most important women in travel’ by Wonderlust Travel and recently completed the Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida.

Simona Listvanaite

Project Manager

Simona has always been a true adventurer. Camping in the wild and exploring the world through raw, unique and sometimes rough adventures. She has lived in several countries including the United States, China, the UK, Italy, and Germany and has travelled to over 30 countries.

She graduated with a Tourism & Hospitality Business Degree in the UK, and after writing her dissertation on women’s empowerment through solo travel, she now aims to research, contribute and create more opportunities for women in the travel industry.

Simona is a big advocate of personal development, inspiring others through her stories, working in fashion, e-commerce, real estate, tourism and hospitality and encouraging everyone to learn from diverse travel experiences!

Now she works with Women in Travel CIC where she runs Events, campaigns and various projects including the Male Allyship Network – devoted to empowering the talent of all women and non-binary individuals through allyship.

Simona’s biggest passions are cycling, inline skating, skiing, writing, and learning delightfully every day!

Grace Croucher

Internship – Male Allyship Network Coordinator

Grace is currently pursuing her degree in International Tourism and Hospitality at Bournemouth University. Ambitious and proactively working and contributing to the travel industry, in her spare time Grace enjoys walking and reading and would describe herself as an enthusiastic and sociable person who enjoys helping others

Grace is a driving force behind our ever-expanding allyship program. Whether you’re looking to become an Ally, seeking mentorship, or eager to introduce allyship initiatives within your organization as a Corporate Allyship Member, Grace is here to guide and support you every step of the way!

Rahf AL Jaberi

Employability Coordinator

Rahf is a proud Alumna of our Employability Programme. Over 6 months, she completed several travel and tourism skills-focused masterclasses, joined mentoring calls, prepared herself for job interviews and grew in confidence and knowledge. She impressed us with her enthusiasm, communication skills and desire to allow women like her to progress with their lives!

Rahf is supporting Women in Travel CIC on the employability programme side – providing individuals with all the necessary information to join the programme, learn and upskill and secure employment in the Travel sector.

Klaudija Janzelj

Business Mentor & Tour Guiding Academy Coach

Klaudija strongly believes business can be a force for good in the world. She is a tourism expert with over 15 years of experience in helping purpose-led global organizations grow and scale, spotting innovative opportunities to become first in the marketplace and building remote and in-person global communities. She possesses the agility and interpersonal skills that have built strong commercial relationships from start-ups to international brands like Amazon, The New York Times, Lonely Planet, MasterCard, Hilton, Google, Expedia and more.

ADVISORY BOARD

Women in Travel (CIC) could not be where it is today without the support of some remarkable, committed and experienced industry professionals. They are:

We are very proud to work alongside some exceptional businesses / foundations that help us further our work within the travel and leisure industry.

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