Written this week feeling thankful for the opportunity to create, collaborate, and put out meaningful content for a community of like minded individuals for almost 6 months.

🔥🌐🤩

Watch this space, we’re just getting started!

[6 min read]

Housekeeping

First thing’s first, we wanted to let you know what’s happening at IGNITOUR as we continue to grow. We’re excited for the future as much as you are but need a bit of time to figure out what comes next.

Our small but mighty international team will take the summer to reflect, evaluate, and decide how to move forward . We’ll consider what worked well, what you didn’t really engage with, and how we can continue to improve to be the best resource possible.

There is a high probability of special editions over the summer months given the richness of global tourism over this period, and our social media will continue to be active. Expect the OG newsletter to pick back up later in the year.

We won’t be too long, promise!

Sustainable Summer

With the busy summer travel season upon us, it’s important to remember the impact we have when exploring the world. If revenge travel was the theme of last year, summer 2023 is set to be even more intense.

Based on Q1 results and YOY recovery of tourism in the years since March 2020, the UNWTO expects international arrivals to recover 80%-95% of pre-pandemic levels during the peak Northern Hemisphere summer.

With that said, here are some small tips to help you enjoy your holiday while being mindful of our impact because even those of us directly involved with travel and tourism can use a gentle reminder!

1. Slow down: Slow tourism is a great way to immerse yourself, build deeper connections with local cultures, and increase the percentage of your spending that stays locally.

2. Move efficiently: Trains, buses, bikes, and metro systems are great ways to reduce overall emissions when you’re on the road.

3. Support local business: Seems simple, but not always easy. Try to seek out local restaurants, markets, artisans etc. Even staying at a locally owned accommodation provider could be a good first step.

4. Try to avoid plastics: Bring your own water bottle, refillable toiletries, peelable fruits > bag of chips, you get the idea (we know, this one is really hard).

5. Be kind and respectful: This one is totally free, benefits everyone, and can really help promote social connections and improve cultural sustainability when traveling.

How We Travel

Here at IGNITOUR one thing that connects us all is our love for travel. Everyone involved in this project in whatever capacity enjoys engaging in tourism and we wanted to share a few tools the team uses to maximize their time on this earth by experiencing more of it. Just in time for SUMMER - plus who doesn’t love a travel deal!?

For Beginners: Basic tools and blogs.

• Google Flights

• One Mile At A Time: Deals 

• The Points Guy: Deals

Intermediate & Advanced Tools: Fare rules, milage runs, points guides, etc.

• ITA Matrix

• FlyerTalk Forums

• The Daily Drop

Any others you guys love? Let us know on social !

The Many Lives of Peter Lewin

The final piece of our team’s puzzle is the person behind much of the IGNITOUR concept, vision, and mission. The embodiment of a linkage between tourism industry and academia, get to know one of our co-founders in a little Q&A with Peter Lewin.

Having lived in 9 countries and an explorer of many different careers (chef, travel tech, hotel marketing, etc.) before returning to academia, his perspectives are truly international and with that experience comes the unique opportunity to share insights on a myriad of topics.

Q: As someone who has worked for some of the largest names in travel and tourism, what are some things you learned about the industry and why did you leave?

A: The rumors are true - the industry is slow to adopt new technology and there is a lot of corporate bullsh*t that gets in the way of actually making positive changes. And sustainability initiatives that create an opportunity to improve brand image always win - performative activism is everywhere. Also that people, especially in the corporate travel space, hardly consider their impact. It has been a few years since I was actively part of that world (I quit mid-pandemic to do my masters) but it would drive me crazy that travelers wouldn’t think twice about their decisions and behave in environmentally reckless ways just to make money. I know it was necessary but it never sat well with me. Short answer as to why I left: I was sick of being a contributor to the global issues that travel and tourism create and wanted to be part of the side that developed solutions.

Q: How has your experience of living in countries at different ends of the economic spectrum, such as Denmark vs. Indonesia, influenced your perspectives on tourism?

A: I think there are pros and cons to every country I’ve had the privilege of living in, and those opposing factors affect how I understand global systems. For example, I find it impossible to travel in Europe without thinking about colonialism and immigration that built this beautiful Royal palace I’m looking at while enjoying a coffee made by someone from a developing country. It often bleeds into my thoughts on the negative side of tourism - feeding things such as neo-colonialism - and how moving forward as a researcher I have to rely on (and remember!) these drastically different experiences to better develop solutions that contextually fit an incredibly dynamic industry.

Q: How can academia and practice collaborate more effectively to ensure sustainable tourism practices are implemented in real-world scenarios?

A: Honestly, find more people like me. As self-indulgent as that sounds, having a solid foundation via leadership experience in the industry before returning to a research environment prepared me so well in understanding both sides. It’s that level of contextual knowledge between parties that is desperately needed in this line of work. Academics sit in their ivory towers developing cutting edge sustainability solutions that have incredible potential. Industry leaders sit in their golden towers building commercial empires with insane amounts of influence. Finding people that are able to communicate between these two major tourism players and facilitate projects and partnerships while managing the needs of both will be the key to unlocking the potential of each. Of course then there’s the government too, but that’s for another day!

Q: Finally, you recently moved to Australia to pursue a PhD. What were your motivations and what advice do you have for those curious about a career in this field? 

A: I want to become the person I’ve described in the previous answer but x100. Someone with the skills from both industry and academia that can translate tourism sustainability research into operational success stories on a global scale. It won’t happen overnight, and I’ve got a lot of work to do before I get there but I believe the world needs it and if I can help in some way then I’m going to! In terms of advice, something I find myself sharing often is that everyone’s timeline is different. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact via tourism at 15 or 55 it doesn’t matter. Your goals are just as valid and your potential just as great. Be intentional about your decisions and remember your “why”. I understand I come from a place of immense privilege and was able to quit my job and pursue my passions but don’t be afraid to take those risks - no matter how big or small they are in your life. Whatever you want to do, there is enough space in this industry for everyone to have a success story - I truly believe that.

Jobs You're Qualified For

F&B Intern @ Park Hyatt (Vienna)

Client Success Specialist @ The Hotels Network (Barcelona)

Sustainability Executive @ Resorts World Sentosa (Singapore)

Research Scientist @ NEOM (Saudi Arabia)

Business Events Executive @ VisitBritain (London)

Customer Insights & Research @ WizzAir (Budapest)

Program and Administrative Associate @ Rainforest Alliance (Guatemala)