Our Commitment to Promoting Diversity in Travel
MMGY Global recognizes its position as a leader in the global travel, tourism and hospitality industry. We are committed to lending our voice, our reach, and the work that results from our partnerships to better reflect the true diversity of our communities. “Inspiring People To Go Places” is more than a mantra; it is a commitment to ensure that the equitable promotion of communities, no matter their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, gender affiliation and ability, is a priority.
Our Approach to Diversity in Travel and Hospitality: A Focus on Data and Insights
MMGY Global continues to lead as a purveyor of primary research in North America and across the world. MMGY Travel Intelligence, the company’s research and insights operating brand, maintains one of the most comprehensive databases of leisure and business travelers anywhere, helping hundreds of destination, hospitality and travel brands power strategic, data-driven marketing campaigns. MMGY NextFactor, the premier strategic planning firm focused on destination development, guides C-suite destination decision-makers globally in enacting change and openly discussing how the industry moves forward.
In 2020, we announced our first research report diving into the sentiment, needs and priorities of groups underrepresented in the travel industry. The first study, The Black Traveler: Insights, Priorities & Opportunities, has since been followed by Vistas Latinas: A Landmark Study on U.S. Travelers of Hispanic Descent and Portrait of Travelers with Disabilities: Accessibility and Mobility. Additional studies of LGBTQIA+, Asian and Indigenous travelers are forthcoming. Proceeds from sales of these reports go back to organizations benefiting these communities.
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MMGY Global’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council (DEI)
MMGY Global’s DEI program works to fulfill the company’s value of inclusivity by focusing on four priority areas. Employees from around the globe volunteer to participate in and contribute to the DEI Council and to help reach and measure the objectives of each of the focus areas.
The group is led by agency leadership reflecting diverse backgrounds.
Mia Wise, Chief Human Resources Officer
Co-Chair
Dana Middleton, Director, DEI and Corporate Social Responsibility
Co-Chair
Sola Thomson, Account Director, MMGY Hills Balfour
Co-Chair
Recruitment, Education and Career Empowerment Group
This group focuses on industry workforce development initiatives, external recruitment, workforce benchmarking, associate education and career development practices for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) candidates and current team members. This effort seeks to improve MMGY Global’s retention and promotion of diverse candidates to succeed in all ranks, including management, executive and advisory roles. The development of educational resources supports a more inclusive organization and empowers the development of diversity and allyship workgroups and employee-led efforts.
Integrated Marketing Practice (IMP) Group
This group focuses on the utilization of diverse traveler data and insights to inform accurate and diverse audience segments, communications strategies, media tactics and creative planning considerations to promote and advocate for a more inclusive integrated travel marketing industry.
Public Relations & Social Practice Group
The focus of this group is to champion better representation of diverse communities and individuals in public relations and social media campaigns, as well as create greater awareness within the travel, hospitality, tourism and media industries.
For more information on MMGY Global’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, the company’s diversity research or for collaborations, please contact Dana Middleton at dmiddleton@mmgyglobal.com or Sola Thomson at sthomson@hillsbalfour.com.