Returning to the exhibition halls of World Travel Market (WTM) London, the Institute of Travel & Tourism’s (ITT) Future You Summit turned its attention to the industry’s rising stars. The central message was clear: audacity, curiosity, and genuine human interaction will define the next era of travel leadership, not just technological proficiency.
Strategic risk-taking emerged as the dominant theme, with speakers urging young professionals to shed self-doubt when launching their careers. Angela Riseam-Smith, head of learning and development at Hays Travel, detailed the independent agency’s varied entry points, from high-street branch sales to head-office roles in finance and HR. She stressed that leadership is cultivated internally, pointing to Hays’ COO Jonathon Woodall-Johnston and head of retail Paula Barrett, both of whom started as trainees.
“Never be afraid to take risks. Never stop learning. The landscape evolves constantly, and your mindset must follow suit,” Riseam-Smith declared.
Tomorrow’s leaders share their journeys
The appetite for calculated leaps was vividly illustrated by alumni of TTG’s 30 Under 30 Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders initiative. India Barker recounted joining Blue Bay Travel just 48 hours after returning from an extended stay in Sri Lanka, relying on sheer enthusiasm to compensate for a lack of formal experience. She has since risen to sales team leader.
Julia Ross, a language graduate, recalibrated her ambitions from luxury Italian specialists to Latin Routes, where she now serves as business development executive. “Take a risk and get out of your comfort zone,” she urged her peers.
Amaan Shakir, now partnerships executive at Avis Budget Group, willingly accepted an entry-level position despite prior professional experience, simply to break into the trade. “Don’t be afraid to step back to move forwards,” Shakir advised.
Human connection in a tech-driven world
Addressing digital transformation and automation, travel technology coach Emily Edwards sought to dispel lingering anxieties around artificial intelligence. “Our industry is really people-focused, and people want to deal with humans, not robots,” she said. “Find out more about the people you meet. It is about human connection and collaboration. Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate!”
Her remarks echo a broader industry sentiment, as seen in Pansy Ho’s recent assertion that human authenticity outlasts AI in travel. The summit’s focus on soft skills aligns with the growing recognition that technology should augment, not replace, the personal touch that defines premium travel experiences.
Marking its 70th anniversary with refreshed branding, ITT also launched Career Compass, a digital repository featuring video case studies, alongside initiatives supporting LGBT+ entrants and practical AI training. The organization’s forthcoming conference is slated for Bahrain, with parallel activities coordinated with Travel Massive and Travel Weekly.
The summit underscored that nurturing resilient, adaptable talent remains the industry’s most vital strategic imperative. As the sector navigates geopolitical uncertainties and economic pressures—highlighted in recent outlooks—investing in people is more critical than ever.
For travel professionals, the takeaway is twofold: embrace bold career moves, and never underestimate the power of human connection. As the industry evolves, those who combine audacity with empathy will lead the way.
