The 2022 Travel Vanguard

Launched in 2016, the Travel Vanguard recognizes industry leaders committed to creating positive change in the travel sector. This year, we've broadened our focus to include organizations that are genuinely working towards making travel a powerful force for good.

Among more than 100 nominees, this year’s honorees span hotels, tour operators, a tourism board, a flight academy, and an innovative nonprofit. These organizations are driving change across all seven continents, tackling challenges such as social and racial justice, accessibility, and climate change. Read on to discover the remarkable companies reshaping the future of travel.

United Aviate Academy

Championing Diversity in Aviation

The odds are stacked against women and people of color pursuing careers as pilots in the U.S. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that in 2021, 94% of pilots were men, and 93% were white.

These statistics not only highlight a major inequality, but they also reveal that flight schools are overlooking a wealth of untapped talent. Dana Donati, CEO of United Aviate Academy (UAA), emphasizes that the industry is missing out on some of the nation's most promising aviation candidates.

To tackle these issues, United Airlines launched UAA in December 2021. The academy is focused on diversifying the aviation sector while also addressing the shortage of qualified pilots and the steep costs associated with FAA-approved flight schools.

The academy aims to create a diverse pool of talented candidates by eliminating financial barriers and addressing the aviation industry’s history of underrepresentation of minority communities. For Donati, this mission is deeply personal. As a woman in aviation, she recalls the challenges and financial struggles she faced in achieving her own dreams and goals.

UAA is the first flight school ever owned by a major U.S. airline, and its goal is to train 5,000 pilots by 2030, with half of them identifying as women or people of color. The first class has already surpassed this target, with 80% of its students fitting the criteria.

UAA connects with potential students through partnerships with organizations like the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Women in Aviation International, Latino Pilots Association, and National Gay Pilots Association. It also collaborates with historically Black colleges such as Hampton University in Virginia and Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. In addition, United Airlines has teamed up with JPMorgan Chase to offer scholarships for those in need. Students undergo 12 months of training at the academy before flying for a United Express partner for two years, eventually transitioning to United Airlines.

"Diversity in the pilot community is essential," says Donati, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives. "A variety of backgrounds brings a variety of minds."

Volcanoes SDinogois

For prioritizing community well-being

Volcanoes SDinogois, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is renowned for providing one of the best opportunities to experience the endangered mountain gorillas of East Africa. What truly sets the company apart, however, is its unwavering commitment to putting people at the heart of its business model.

Founded by Praveen Moman, a native Ugandan who spent his childhood exploring the gorilla habitats of the Virunga Mountains, Volcanoes SDinogois operates four lodges across Uganda and Rwanda. Moman started the company in 1997, three years after the Rwandan genocide. "The dream was so powerful that I didn’t have everything planned at first," he reflects. "But I knew that this was a stunning landscape that needed protection, and one day, it could help local people make a living, just as it once did."

As one of the earliest companies to promote tourism's resurgence after the genocide, Volcanoes was pivotal in not only reviving hospitality jobs but also protecting communities living alongside wildlife. The company prioritizes hiring staff from the Great Lakes region of East Africa, where many families have been affected by conflict and displacement. Over 50% of the current management team is made up of women.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Volcanoes partnered with the German Investment Corporation to provide relief for more than 10,000 people living near its lodges. This support included distributing masks, water tanks, handwashing stations, food donations, and other essential aid.

Moman believes that for wildlife conservation to thrive, the focus must be on local communities. "If you want wildlife to have a future, the people must be at the heart of it," he explains. "Conservation cannot be something imposed on them—it has to be part of their livelihood. People need land for farming, to build homes, to educate their children, and to sustain themselves economically. Conservation should be integrated into the economy."

The Schoolhouse Hotel

For prioritizing accessibility

Over 60 million Americans live with a disability, yet most U.S. hotels only meet the minimum accessibility standards outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to Charlie Hammerman.

Hammerman, whose daughter has cerebral palsy, founded the Schoolhouse Hotel as the world's first boutique hotel fully designed with accessibility in mind. A former attorney, Hammerman left his job at Merrill Lynch in 2007 to establish the nonprofit Disability Opportunity Fund (DOF), which funds businesses focused on improving accessibility.

The Schoolhouse Hotel, which opened in May 2022 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, is the first hotel project of the DOF. "We’re designing for a wide range of needs," says Hammerman. "While we can’t cover every possible disability, our goal is to address 99% of them and stay ahead of emerging needs."

The team worked closely with specialists in areas ranging from visual and hearing impairments to neurodiversity. They abandoned an initial plan for ballroom wall sconces, as the extra light could interfere with visual clarity for guests who rely on lipreading or sign language. Experts conducted virtual walk-throughs to adjust color tones, lighting, room brightness, and flooring textures, and they also recommended a designated meditation room for guests needing a peaceful space. All 30 guest rooms feature voice-command technology that connects directly to the front desk.

Hammerman hopes to inspire hotels that are missing out on the $13 trillion annual disposable income generated by the disability market. "We want the Schoolhouse Hotel to serve as a model," he says. "We may be a small boutique hotel, but we want major chains like Marriott, Hyatt, and Hilton to see what we’re doing and learn from it."

The Travel Corporation

For evaluating sustainability initiatives

Whether you’re drifting past historic villages along the Danube River in Austria or discovering Aboriginal fishing practices near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, every trip with The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) brands is now measured against the company’s sustainability goals.

The Travel Corporation (TTC), which operates 40 travel brands, including Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Red Carnation Hotels, Contiki, and Trafalgar Tours, published its inaugural Impact Report in May 2022. This report tracks TTC’s progress toward 11 sustainability goals that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Among its objectives for 2025: sourcing 50% of electricity from renewable sources, reducing food waste by 50%, and combating overtourism by increasing offerings in lesser-known destinations by 20%. TTC also ensures that all wildlife encounters follow an animal welfare policy developed in partnership with World Animal Protection, a nonprofit based in London.

The first report, which includes data from 2020 and 2021, is part of a five-year plan called How We Tread Right. According to Shannon Guihan, TTC’s Chief Sustainability Officer, the purpose of reporting is to create transparency. 'Data doesn’t lie—it helps us identify what’s working and where we need to pivot to achieve better results,' she says. 'For travelers, it empowers them to research and make informed choices about which travel providers are truly committed to sustainability.'

As TTC continues to expand its sustainability efforts, it is becoming more ambitious. The company’s main goal since the strategy’s launch in 2020 is to achieve net-zero emissions. In the spring of 2022, TTC submitted its greenhouse gas emissions targets for review by the Science Based Targets initiative. Once approved, it will become the largest privately held travel company with certified science-based reduction targets.

Travalyst

For empowering conscious travelers

A recent survey by Booking.com reveals that over 80% of international travelers consider sustainability in travel to be a key factor. However, until now, travel brands have struggled to clearly showcase how eco-friendly their offerings are.

Travalyst is a nonprofit founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in 2019. It provides valuable resources and tools that empower eco-conscious travelers to make more informed and sustainable travel decisions.

Travalyst has united leading global companies with influential digital platforms, including Tripadvisor, Booking.com, and more recently Google and Expedia Group, to establish common sustainability standards for both the hotel and aviation sectors.

'To make sustainable travel truly mainstream, it can’t be the effort of just one company or organization,' says Travalyst CEO Sally Davey. 'It requires a collective, collaborative approach.'

For hotels, the coalition introduced sustainability standards that include operating entirely on renewable energy and reinvesting a portion of revenue into community and conservation initiatives. These standards were first rolled out through Booking.com’s Travel Sustainable badge in 2021 and later incorporated into Google Travel’s hotel search tool, which now features an 'eco-certified' filter. In the aviation sector, the group aligned Skyscanner’s emissions calculator with Google’s, allowing consumers to easily select flights with lower carbon emissions.

Travalyst continues to expand by identifying key new partners and growing its independent advisory group, which includes Dr. Anna Spenceley, chair of the World Commission on Protected Areas, and Jeremy Smith, co-founder of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency.

'Many consumers don't fully understand the immense impact tourism has as an industry,' says Davey. 'When done right, travel can be an incredibly powerful force for good. By making better choices, consumers can truly make a difference.'

Six Senses

For eliminating plastics

Since its inception in 1995, the hotel brand Six Senses has integrated environmental sustainability as a core value of luxury and wellness. With 21 hotels and resorts across 17 countries—many in remote, biodiverse regions—the brand's commitment to the planet continues to grow as it evolves.

'Sustainability is woven into the fabric of who we are,' says CEO Neil Jacobs. 'Our approach to building, operating, and interacting with the community reflects our philosophy. We’ve been doing this for nearly three decades, and it’s an integral part of our company culture.'

In 2020, Six Senses became one of the earliest signatories of the U.N. Global Tourism Plastics Initiative. The company’s major focus now is eliminating plastic: this year, it succeeded in removing all single-use plastic from guest experiences and is now addressing plastic use in back-of-house operations.

Each Six Senses property has a full-time sustainability officer dedicated to identifying impactful projects. For example, at the newly opened Six Senses Fort Barwara in India, efforts are underway to combat desertification. Meanwhile, at Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives, on-site biologists focus on marine conservation, and Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand provides clean drinking water to over 107,000 locals through installed water filters.

Jacobs notes that the long-term goal is to protect the natural wonders that guests travel to experience. After all, true luxury isn’t defined by opulent spas or high-thread-count linens, but by the chance to experience a thriving, biodiverse environment.

USTOA & Innovation Norway

In May 2022, 40 travel executives from across the globe convened in Bodø, Norway, to explore how their businesses could adapt to combat climate change. Among the experiences they sampled were Brim Explorer’s eco-friendly fjord tours aboard a hybrid-electric ship. The event also featured inspiring speakers, including Wanjiku 'Wawa' Gatheru, founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, an organization focused on environmental justice.

For combating climate change

The inaugural Sustainability is Responsibility summit brought together leaders in the travel industry, hosted by the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) and Innovation Norway. This government-backed organization fosters exports, investment, and tourism, and during the summit, they shared key insights on how to overcome financial and regulatory challenges to achieve climate goals.

Norway, renowned for its sustainability efforts, is addressing climate change through strategies endorsed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The country has ambitious goals, including a ban on the sale of new gasoline cars by 2025. Currently, thanks to government incentives, over half of new cars sold in Norway are electric. By 2026, only zero-emission ferries, cruise ships, and boats will be permitted in western Norway’s fjords, and by 2030, Oslo aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 95%.

Terry Dale, president of the USTOA, emphasized that the sustainability movement is just beginning, with plans to build a lasting community for the next 50 years. Representing nearly $19 billion in revenue and 9.8 million travelers annually, the association's members were open and candid at the summit, sharing their commitment to change.

Hege Barnes, regional director for the Americas at Innovation Norway, explained that sustainability is a dynamic, evolving journey that requires constant collaboration and growth. She highlighted the Norwegian concept of 'dugnad,' meaning ‘everyone on deck,’ stressing the importance of collective action and the impact of small, consistent efforts toward a larger goal.

Intrepid Travel

For promoting responsible travel bookings

In 2010, the Melbourne-based tour company, Intrepid Travel, achieved carbon neutrality. By 2018, it had become the largest certified B Corporation in the travel industry. In 2019, Intrepid hired Dr. Susanne Etti, a climate scientist, to lead efforts in decarbonizing their trips and operations globally. In 2020, Intrepid became the first global tour operator to set verified science-based emission reduction targets. By 2035, the company aims to meet the Paris Agreement's threshold of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The company has seen rapid growth, doubling its revenue between 2016 and 2020, as reported by CEO James Thornton. "We can achieve both commercial success and maintain a strong sense of purpose," says Thornton. "When you balance these two, a clear purpose can drive business success, and strong financial performance enables more investment in your mission-driven activities."

Intrepid is now focusing on amplifying its commitment to racial and social justice, viewing it as closely tied to environmental justice. In 2019, the company launched a Reconciliation Action Plan to foster stronger connections with First Nations groups in Australia. In the U.S., Intrepid’s offices are building partnerships with BIPOC-owned businesses and organizations such as the Crow Nation, the Lakota people, and the National Blacks in Travel and Tourism Collaborative. As part of this initiative, U.S. itineraries now feature experiences in South Dakota from an Indigenous perspective.

"Historically, we’ve been more focused on climate issues than social justice," says Thornton. "That’s why we are now beginning to integrate BIPOC voices into our efforts and taking these first steps toward inclusion."

Virginia Tourism Company

For fostering inclusivity

In 2019, as the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) prepared to mark the 400th anniversary of Africans' arrival in Virginia, the organization conducted a survey to better understand the experiences of Black visitors in the state.

"Some of the feedback included, 'We didn’t feel welcomed,' 'We were treated condescendingly,' 'The truth wasn’t told,' and 'The full story wasn’t shared,'" recalls Rita McClenny, CEO of VTC, which collaborated with the marketing firm JMI to conduct the survey.

For McClenny, a Black woman raised in Virginia, these responses weren’t unexpected. However, the survey results provided the momentum she needed to advocate for a more inclusive tourism experience. "Representation matters. If I don’t see people who look like me in the narrative, I struggle to feel like I belong, because it feels like no one like me is welcome here."

Armed with these insights, VTC implemented a comprehensive strategy to make Black travelers feel more valued in Virginia. This included working closely with advertising agencies, destination marketing organizations, and independent photographers. Since 2018, the organization’s board, which once had only one Black woman, now includes five people of color. VTC has also partnered with notable Virginia landmarks, such as Montpelier, Monticello, Jamestown, and Fort Monroe National Monument, to highlight overlooked aspects of Black history. Monticello now features the stories of key Black residents, including Sally Hemings, a woman born into slavery who had several children with Thomas Jefferson—an important narrative many docents were previously unprepared to share, according to McClenny.

VTC is beginning to witness the results of its initiatives. According to the company’s 2021 Visitor Profile survey, 74% of Black travelers reported being 'very satisfied' with their visit to Virginia, a satisfaction rate comparable to that of leisure travelers in general. However, McClenny emphasizes that the work is ongoing. Her team is already planning to feature Black history during the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026, while simultaneously intensifying efforts to address biases against other groups, such as Asian Americans, LGBTQ travelers, and those with disabilities.

"It's about safeguarding what we cherish," McClenny says, "and preserving your values to share them with others in a way they can truly appreciate. At its core, it's about love."