+ What is your name?

Danny

+ Where are you located?

United States

+ In one sentence, tell us about your idea.

An early career program that introduces and develops high-achieving underrepresented youth through immersive, four year professional apprenticeships that help to build a more diverse pipeline of travel industry professionals.

+ Describe your ideal collaborative partner or partners.

Looking for corporate sponsorship, collegiate academic and career education guidance, diversity and inclusion advocates, travel industry association partnerships, travel and tourism media support

+ What is the most immediate or most pressing challenge you're facing right now?

Building the program, meaning finding the right organizational sponsors who are willing to provide the funding, setting and placement opportunities and academic/professional associations to build the structure and provide enrichment opportunities for potential candidates.

+ What is it about your idea that makes you feel good?

Mentoring other young professionals of color is important to me. I am the product of a program that provided incredible access at a young age to this industry and now I am one of very few Latino tourism professionals in the industry. Increasingly I find that the industry is not landing on the right solutions to fix the pipeline problem, this head-on, pipeline approach would create a national, potentially international program that would work to promote the ideals of the tourism industry to youth at a very young age, whereas most programs focus on individuals in their 30s. This program has a chance to make a real difference on what representation in tourism looks like in the future.

+ What makes your idea innovative? Why has no one ever done it before?

The topic of diversity, equity and inclusion is a relatively new one in the United States. Sustaining local communities means understanding that demographics in this country are changing and increasingly, leaders of communities need to better reflect the communities they are leading. This movement has just been given fuel following the tragic death of George Floyd in the travel and tourism industry, but it has very much been a focus in other industries when you observe other sectors. Travel and tourism is a bit behind, which is surprising given the ties our field has to economic development and community development functions. DEI is an issue of sustainability, inclusivity and ensuring individuals from all communities are included in the ownership, decision making and leadership of how tourism is run.

+ Who will benefit the most from your idea?

The industry. But really communities, organizations and companies. Research has shown that the most inclusive organizations in terms of thoughts, perspective and experiences are the most innovative, profitable and forward-thinking. Again, as demographics evolve and sustainable tourism becomes normalized, underrepresented perspectives will need to be reflected in how tourism operates.

+ Ideally, when would you launch this idea?

In a few months

+ Indicate which UN goals your idea relates to?

Quality Education

Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

Gender Equality

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Reduced Inequality

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

+ At Sigmund, we are interested in ideas at the intersection of People, Planet, and Profit. How does your idea relate to these three categories?

This idea is rooted in People. This program is intended to cultivate talented youth from underrepresented communities and place them in positions of access, mentorship and empowerment to help create the leaders of tomorrow. By creating more opportunities for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, we create more mentors and leaders to inspire the uplifting of more voices, ideas and solutions for the problems of the Planet. Whether that be housing, economic development or fair wages, creating a space at the table creates more fair opportunities for more diverse perspectives to address the issues of the Planet, however those may be manifested in the local communities they are in. Finally, Profit comes to play in two ways. Organizations have an imperative to diversify and create change based on shareholder and stakeholder demands and pressures. This program will create the opportunity for its founders to create Profit by existing at the intersection of an increased demand for diverse talent and a moral imperative to do better, while also creating Profit for companies who are fostering talent who bring diverse perspectives, ideas and concepts to otherwise homogenous-led organizations.