A regional marketing manager for G Adventures, Adelle Clements knows a thing or two about brand voice.
Ahead of this year’s Women in Travel Awards, she talks to Travel Weekly about the importance of finding your own personal voice and challenging the status quo.
If you want to network with Clements and other trailblazers within the travel industry then move fast, the 2024 Women in Travel Awards are next week! Buy your tickets HERE.
When did you know you wanted a career in travel?
I wasn’t someone who always dreamt of a career in travel. As a young girl, I didn’t even realise the industry existed beyond travel agents. But I was lucky enough to find my way into the travel world and quickly discovered a place that fuels my passions, challenges me to keep learning, and allows me to make a positive impact. Working for a company that genuinely changes people’s lives through travel has made me see how powerful and transformative this industry can be, I can’t see myself anywhere else!
If you could change one thing about the travel industry, what would it be?
Greater industry collaboration. There’s so much we can learn from each other, and sharing resources, ideas, and knowledge is essential for us to continue growing and evolving as an industry. I’d also love to see us collectively become louder advocates for the incredible work being done in sustainability and community tourism. These efforts are shaping the future of travel, and by sharing our successes, we can inspire even more progress and positive change.
How can the travel industry attract more young people?
Lucky for the travel industry, a lot of young people are becoming so much more socially and environmentally aware, they want to work for businesses that are doing good and having a positive impact on the world. If we are highlighting these kinds of things within our recruitment process, the right people will come. Championing flexibility, innovation, and a clear pathway for career progression is also important as these are things young professionals value deeply.
What is your biggest career lesson to date?
Don’t be afraid to speak up and challenge the status quo. Your voice and perspective matter. If your team or leadership doesn’t respect your ideas or values, it’s a sign to find people who will. Surround yourself with the right people—those who inspire, support, and challenge you in the best ways—makes all the difference.
Why do we still need awards like Women in Travel?
Now more than ever, creating safe spaces to celebrate women and to talk about the very real issues we face – is critical. Not only are the awards night a fantastic opportunity to celebrate women in our industry, the awards application process gives women a chance to sit back, reflect and think about the great work they have done in the past year. Until equality becomes the norm—not the goal—we need spaces that recognise and champion women, creating role models for the next generation.
