The Leadership Award

2024

Nominee

Finalist

Shortlist

Winner

Candice Walsh - Market Development Specialist, International Travel Trade and Media

Newfoundland and Labrador

What are you doing on a day-to-day basis to champion inclusion in the industry?

Candice, a passionate advocate for inclusive tourism practices, champions inclusion on a daily basis through her work as an International Market Development Specialist. Here are some key aspects of her daily efforts:

  1. Curating Inclusive Itineraries: Candice works closely with international travel trade partners to develop tour packages for Newfoundland and Labrador. This involves ensuring itineraries cater to diverse traveller needs and abilities. She considers accessibility options, cultural sensitivities, and diverse interests when suggesting and reviewing proposed itineraries, promoting inclusive experiences for all.
  2. Empowering Local Businesses: By liaising with local tourism suppliers, Candice fosters inclusivity by providing opportunities for businesses to cater to a wider audience. Partnering with regional DMOs, she connects suppliers with interested travel trade companies, enabling them to expand their offerings and grow their reach to diverse visitor segments.
  3. Promoting Inclusivity at Events: Candice actively participates in industry events, trade shows, and training seminars. She champions inclusivity by advocating for accessible venues, diverse representation in presentations, and promoting tourism resources that cater to various needs and interests.
  4. Building Alliances with Media: Through collaboration with international media, Candice strategically highlights the diverse experiences offered by Newfoundland and Labrador. She works with journalists and media companies to showcase the region's inclusivity through well-curated FAM tours, ensuring diverse perspectives are represented in the global narrative.

Through these ongoing efforts, Candice plays a crucial role in promoting Newfoundland and Labrador as a welcoming and inclusive destination for all travellers.

Can you tell us about a project you have worked on or led?

FreeCandie.com isn't your typical travel blog. Here, Candice, a passionate advocate for inclusive travel, celebrates the joy of exploration for every kind of adventurer. Whether you crave adrenaline-pumping hikes or seek a slower pace exploring hidden cultural gems, Candice believes travel should be inclusive and accessible to all.

Candice's own experiences travelling the world have shaped her belief in the transformative power of travel for everyone. Through her blog, she shares her diverse travel experiences, offering alternative travel guides that cater to a wide range of interests and abilities. She champions independent arts and outdoor adventure that caters to all, showcasing the beauty and richness of the world in a way that is welcoming and inclusive.

So, join Candice on her journey to discover the world, because travel isn't a privilege, it's an adventure waiting to be shared by everyone.

Judges Comments

Candice is a highly inspirational figure with a deep dedication to empowering local businesses and attracting a diverse range of visitors to Newfoundland and Labrador through meticulously curating itineraries that cater to diverse traveller needs and promoting inclusivity. As a passionate individual, her blog also serves as a powerful platform, demonstrating how she goes above and beyond the requirements of her job to promote the place she calls home.

Other Submissions for

The Leadership Award

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The People's Choice Award Winner