USTOA Reaffirms Commitment to Social Well-Being and DEI in Travel

 
 

The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) is reinforcing its commitment to integrating social well-being, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into the travel industry.

Despite policy shifts at the federal level, the USTOA Executive Committee, Board of Directors and members remain committed to advancing industry-wide efforts that promote diversity, equity and inclusivity. Through ongoing education, advocacy and action, the association continues to champion sustainable and responsible travel practices.

Today, USTOA made this statement:

As 2025 is fully upon us and we welcome new cochairs to the USTOA Sustainability Committee, we would like to take a moment to reaffirm our commitment to the core principals of the USTOA Sustainability Promise.

USTOA believes that travel is a force for good, and as such, we will continue to focus on sustainability and DEI. The USTOA Executive Committee, Board of Directors and you, our members, remain steadfast in our support of efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion industry-wide. Our commitment to ongoing education, advocacy and responsible travel practices is unwavering, and as an association, we will work to ensure that these values are maintained in the evolving landscape of our industry.

With the collective reach of its Active and Associate Members, USTOA is driving tourism that balances economic growth, environmental care and social impact.

“More recently, we’ve been passionate about measuring our progress in the areas of not only sustainability but diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Terry Dale, President & CEO of USTOA, in a 2024 press statement. “These are the true barometers of the health of our industry, and by examining where our members are in their efforts, we’re better able to guide them toward policies and practices that ensure widespread, long-term access to travel employment and experiences.”

USTOA supports:

  • Social well-being, ensuring travel benefits all communities touched by its members.
  • Equitable economic growth, fostering opportunities across diverse destinations.
  • Environmental stewardship, promoting a nature-positive approach to tourism.

To further these goals, USTOA has implemented key initiatives, including the Sustainability Committee, the USTOA SIR (Sustainability, Inclusivity, Responsibility) Community and peer-led education through the SIR Education Series.

USTOA also encourages its members to develop plans that align with these principles and remains steadfast in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable and responsible future for global travel—independent of alterations in federal guidelines.

For more information, visit USTOA.com.