The travel and tourism industry takes a bold step forward with the launch of the Women in Travel Collective, a transformative initiative dedicated to empowering women and creating a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive Travel and Tourism sector in Sri Lanka. The Women in Travel Collective is the brainchild of Irstel Jansen partnered by co-founders Dee Gibson, Dinushka Chandrasena, Thushni De Silva and Andrea Goonasekera who are on a mission to break barriers and create opportunities for women, while addressing the challenges they face in the travel and tourism sector.
“The Women in Travel Collective represents a crucial step forward in our journey toward gender equality and inclusivity in the travel and tourism industry. By empowering women and building a supportive, solution-driven community, we can not only transform lives but also reshape the industry in progressive ways” said WIT Collective Founder Irstel Jansen.
Key focus areas of the Collective include empowering women—from grassroots participation to advancing women into senior leadership roles—creating a platform for advocacy and collaboration to promote gender equality, advancing women’s rights, and fostering partnerships with industry stakeholders to amplify efforts for inclusivity. Central to its mission is community building, which offers members access to events, training sessions, webinars, and resources, enabling them to connect, inspire, and uplift one another.
WIT Collective is aiming for a solution-driven approach prioritising actionable solutions to establish transformative opportunities for women to thrive in the travel and tourism sector. One of the Collective’s first solution-driven initiatives is the flagship Mentorship Program, which pairs women with experienced mentors to unlock career opportunities, provide guidance, and motivate them to take on leadership positions within the sector. By encouraging women to embrace their potential, the program aims to build a stronger network of female leaders in travel and tourism.
Recognising the importance of male allies, the Collective also works closely with male champions who play a key role in advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive industry. International collaboration is another key focus, with the Collective proudly collaborating with leading organisations such as Women in Travel CIC, a London-based initiative empowering women in tourism since 2016. This partnership will enhance the collective’s ability to expand its reach and impact on a global scale.
The Women in Travel Collective made its debut at the World Travel Market 2024 in London, where its vision and partnerships were showcased. This marked the beginning of an initiative dedicated to creating a more inclusive, resilient, and innovative tourism industry in Sri Lanka and beyond.
