Ahead of International Women’s Day 2023, Contiki chatted to Nadine Pinto, to discuss how its experiences are sourced, the impact they have on travellers and local women, and why they are so important for the brand.
Women-led MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experiences, available on Contiki trips across 6 continents, can be grouped into two main categories: those that help women enter the economy (typically in countries where they’re marginalised from the workplace), and those that focus on women’s perspectives, such as women-led walking tours.
“There’s so much meaning behind these experiences,” Pinto said.
“For example, our Herstory walking tour [in Split, Croatia] is backed by a women’s centre that provides a safe resource for women falling victim to domestic abuse.
“Sheroes Café [in India] is run by women who have survived domestic abuse and acid attacks (a common form of domestic abuse in India). These women are able to work here, and also to provide a safe space for other women in the community.”
Further experiences include a chat with the Warrior Women in Jasper, Canada, and an all-new women-led dining experience in Sarajevo.
“Tourism is such an incredible way to [support women] because it allows [them] to get involved in the local economy, which is one of the first steps towards equality and a great way to empower women as well.”
“From the traveller’s perspective, they’re getting a really unique experience that they might not have otherwise been aware of.”
On the subject of equity, the theme for International Women’s Day 2023, Nadine said:
“I think it’s all about acknowledging that we don’t all start from the same place – and adjustments must be made to rectify those imbalances to ensure all people are treated equally.”
Contiki also spoke to Matricia Bauer, a Warrior Woman of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, who travellers meet as part of a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience in Alberta, Canada to hear authentic Indigenous stories. When asked what message she wanted to share with women this International Women’s Day, she said:
“We all have a story and we deserve to take up space sharing it.”
Nadine is global sustainability manager across 40 brands, overseeing the sustainability initiatives and making sure TTC achieves the goals set out in its five-year sustainability strategy plan. Her two main areas of focus are the TTC climate action plan and the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experiences.
