Focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility

Editorial of May 16, 2024

Did you know that in the opal structure of Touriscope, a role is now dedicated to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)? While integrating these principles is a shared responsibility, the EDI role aims to ensure that Touriscope remains open to diversity and sensitive to everyone's realities.

We recently formalized our commitment by drafting an EDI charter. This charter testifies to our determination to integrate these values into each of our actions, whether within our team, with our partners or with our clientele.Training, gradual integration of inclusive writing, sharing initiatives that promote inclusive experiences, representation of diversity, representation of diversity, more accessible workshops... We will be humble in our learning, aware that there will be experiments and perhaps some mistakes, but our commitment remains firm: we will be change agents in our industry.

We deeply believe that our industry has the power to catalyze change towards a more just and inclusive world. And there are plenty of examples to prove us right: an accessible spa and a safe place for people in the 2SLGBTQ+ community and hotels that strongly believe in the endless potential of neurodiversity. Shedding light on these initiatives and studies that contribute to making our industry better.
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Thank you for your continued support in this essential process and especially thank you to all the people who are actors of change!

Audrey

Our projects - Touriscope

The EDI at Jolie Vie Spa & Wellness Retreat

Touriscope was commissioned by Jolie Vie Spa Wellness Retreat, located in New Brunswick, to develop a strategic plan. The aim of the project is to improve the relaxing experience, promote inclusion and maintain its position as a spa focused on the needs of the community. Indeed, the spa is fully equipped to accommodate customers with reduced mobility. Plus, it's Rainbow certified, which means the spa provides a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ customers and staff. Touriscope contributed to this project by supporting the team in thinking about the purpose, mission, vision as well as by identifying objectives, actions and priorities.

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Elsewhere on the web

Hotel initiatives at the service of the community

Thanks to the vision of its managing director, the Manoir d'Youville in Châteauguay has adopted an inclusive recruitment approach, integrating neuroatypical people suffering from autism or intellectual disabilities. This demonstrates a deep commitment to inclusion and diversity. In addition to ecological actions and local initiatives, the Manoir offers an enriching hotel experience, where each staff member contributes to a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This approach has earned the establishment several awards and inspires other hotels to follow the same path. These efforts are transforming the hotel industry into a more inclusive and supportive sector, offering unique and rewarding customer experiences while creating opportunities for populations that are often marginalized in the labor market.

Fostering authentic relationships with Black travelers

A recent study published in Afar magazine and Tourism Geographies highlights the desires of black travelers for more authentic representation and a genuine connection with the black community. The results show that Black people traveling are looking for tourism businesses owned by Black people, as well as guides and experiences that reflect their diversity and intersecting identities. By focusing on authenticity, tourism businesses can create more inclusive and meaningful experiences. These travelers notice the small details that contribute to an experience where they feel valued and recognized. Symbolic gestures are not enough; a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion is needed.

Crossing Cultural Boundaries: A New Approach to Diversity and Inclusion

As the conversation around equity, diversity, and inclusion grows, many organizations are looking for tangible ways to foster more inclusive work environments. But where do you start? In this landscape, intercultural agility stands out as a promising path, offering a caring approach that can have significant long-term impacts.

What is intercultural agility? It is the ability to recognize and accept cultural differences in depth, in order to better adapt and navigate multicultural contexts. This involves developing a thorough understanding of one's own culture in order to better understand realities that are different from ours. Learn more by reading this article !

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Touriscope News

Touriscope participates in a webinar on inclusive and sustainable tourism

Elise, our scout, recently took part in a webinar on accessibility in sustainable tourism, organized by Kéroul in partnership with UQAM. This meeting was marked by the presence of several renowned speakers.

Here are the highlights to remember:

• The Palais des Congrès de Montréal submits their action plan to the Office des Personnes Handicapées du Québec, which reviews the plan.
• Festivoix opens the doors to a revolutionary festival, offering up to 9,000 accessible seats and cultural experiences adapted to everyone.
• The Disability Equality Council in Switzerland shares its challenges and successes, including the addition of translating lyrics into sign language.

For Elise, this experience was a source of enrichment, where innovation and inclusion were at the heart of discussions about the future of sustainable tourism. And for those who want to know more, the webinar is now available online.

EDI at Touriscope

During our strategic retreat last April, the Touriscope team came together for a reflection and brainstorm activity on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The objective was to discuss concrete ways to transform our practices, behaviors, services and much more. We have addressed several crucial points in order to define tangible actions that will be integrated into our new CSR action plan (Corporate Social Responsibility). How can we commit to EDI through our workshop activities, our deliverables, our relationships with our partners, etc.? This meeting was an important step in our commitment to EDI and we are in a position to implement our first actions!

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