The Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA) has renamed its
Next Gen Board to repurpose it as the Diversity and Inclusion Board to exercise
the association’s commitment to increasing diversity and opposing
discrimination and inequality.
According to the association, the move is an evolution of
its #HBAAFutureFit vision, which aims to ensure it is “robust, relevant and fit
for purpose in the future”. The new board will be supported by the HBAA’s main
board and will be charged with refreshing its Terms of Ethics to promote equal
opportunities and inclusivity and ensuring all members’ mental health and wellbeing
is at the heart of the association. It will be led by Ryan Doyle of Park Regis
Birmingham, Anthony Kwokori of the Barbican and Olivia Woolley of Hotel and
Travel Solutions (pictured).
The HBAA said recent global protests against systemic racism
and discrimination and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement aided its
continued focus on fighting prejudice.
Angie Mason, HBAA board director and treasurer, commented: “When
we reviewed the make-up of the Next Gen Board, it was evident that despite the
team being appointed based upon their passion and enthusiasm, they cover
diversity and inclusion and represent our future.”