The pandemic has forced the industry to revisit old norms and innovate. While appreciation of the Diaspora travel market has grown, targeted engagement is still lagging. Are brands and destinations’ marketing efforts in line with what the research indicates as it pertains to the spending power and interests of the Diaspora? How can we develop a better understanding of the Diaspora market and employ practical, authentic solutions?
INTRODUCTION BY:

Naledi Khabo
CEO: Africa Tourism Association
Naledi currently serves as Chief Executive at the Africa Tourism Association (ATA), a global trade association promoting travel and tourism to Africa and strengthening intra-Africa partnerships. ATA serves both the public and private sectors of the international travel and tourism industry. Naledi is passionate about the intersection of marketing and emerging technologies, and is excited about this intersection and great opportunities within the tourism sector.
THE SPEAKERS

Mimi Aborowa
Founder & Creative Director, Irin Journal
Aborowa started collecting magazines as a teenager, “I discovered community-driven independent publications with strong brand personalities, innovative and inspirational content. Magazines with such diverse content yet not diverse enough.” At some point, searching for a publication where she felt at home became thankless. “Where was the magazine for me, for people like me? It got to a point where I got frustrated with asking whether these magazines existed to wanting to create a space for it to exist. And with that, ìrìn journal was born.” ìrìn journal is an independent print publication that explores African culture through travel, people and communities. In each issue the journal focuses on a different African city and shines a light on the diverse stories that come together to make up the unique identity of the city.

Jamie-Lee Abtar
Executive Director, Women In Travel – BAME
Jamie Lee’s creativity and enthusiasm has seen her successfully design and deliver long term and sustainable inclusion, outreach and community engagement initiatives and multi channel marketing campaigns to engage and attract BAME/ BIPOC consumers for a number of organisations namely Caribbean Tourism Organisation, National Association of Barbados, Grenada Tourism Authority, Tobago Tourism Agency and Sackville Travel. In her role as Executive Director, Women in Travel, BAME Programme she works with some of the travel industries leading brands to cultivate an understanding around issues of racial diversity and develop tailored initiatives and campaigns to address this as well as supporting a community of talented career driven and entrepreneurial BAME Women with a strong focus on training and mentorship. This marketing expertise and commitment to addressing diversity issues in the travel industry led to her joining the cohort of TTG’s 30 Under 30 Future Travel Leaders 16/17 and most recently named as one of Travel Pulse’s ‘20 Influential Women in Travel’.

Akwasi Agyeman
CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority
Akwasi Agyema is the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, the lead Public Service Agency in charge of regulating tourism in Ghana through marketing and promotion, licensing and classification of tourism facilities and services, investments, research and development. Prior to his appointment in January 2017, he was a shareholding partner of Global Media Alliance, a Media Consultancy and broadcasting company. As the Managing Director of its broadcasting operations, he was in charge of one TV Station and four radio stations. Until recently, he was the President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA). He holds an MBA in Marketing and Information Systems from Tulane University in Louisiana (2003), USA – an MBA Merit Scholarship Recipient. He also holds a Bachelors degree in Social Sciences (1993) and a Masters in Public Administration (MPA -1996) from the University of Ghana.

Tomiko Harvey
Vice President: Black Travel Alliance
Tomiko Harvey has established herself as one of the most recognized Black Travel writers and top champions of diversity in the travel industry, specializing in helping Hospitality & Travel brands create diverse campaigns. As the Founder and Editor of Passports & Grub, Conference Director for TBEX North America, Vice President of the Black Travel Alliance, and Diversity & Inclusion Chairwoman of the Association of Influencers & Content Creators — she leverages her visionary ideas and the power of observation, to help organizations develop creative solutions for the challenges they face.

Dr Harriet Lewis
Founder & Chief Visionary Officer, Konesens Development
Dr. Harriet Lewis is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer for Konesens Development, a boutique consultancy that fosters equity and inclusion through international trade, corporate social responsibility training and support, and tourism research. She has worked in the research, and community and economic development spaces for over 25 years conducting business and tourism research studies, and leading organizations that served women, refugees, youth, and small business owners, including as Executive Director of both the Holly Hill Chamber of Commerce and Altrusa International. Her tourism research clients have included Visit Flagler, the Medical Tourism Association, and the Belize Tourism Board.
THE MODERATOR:

Paula Franklin
Co-Founder, The Collective & Travel Is Better In Color
Paula is a globally minded communications strategist with a true understanding of conservation and sustainability. For two decades she has been at the nexus of the conversations in the travel, philanthropy, culture and lifestyle spaces, giving her a unique view on shaping a modern communications strategy. Specializing in public relations strategy, content development, media and client relations, brand partnerships, special events and business development, Paula has guided some of the most influential brands in hospitality. As a thought leader in travel and sustainability-focused media outreach, Paula has executed highly tailored strategic media campaigns by leveraging her long-standing and meaningful media relationships. In her work with tourism boards, major hospitality chains, boutique properties and foundations she has excelled in creating truthful, engaging stories and parlaying these into impactful media coverage.