It goes way beyond meeting cultural needs.' 'They're not prepared to be a safe space for these groups, they are not prepared to welcome them in a way that makes them feel welcome. 'There are destinations now that are, as a result of COVID, seeing way more Black, Indigenous, people of colour coming into their communities to enjoy their spaces, and they're not prepared,' says Hope. She co-founded the group Let's Get Uncomfortable to address equity issues in the travel and tourism industry, and co-founder Britney Hope pointed to multiple Ontario counties that have requested anti-Black and anti-racism training ahead of tourist season. In some cases, that brought BIPOC travellers into relatively homogenous communities unaccustomed to catering to a diverse clientele, giving rise to misunderstandings, and racially charged conflicts, Dudley says. Unable to hop on a plane, more city dwellers hit the road to explore the charms of their rural surroundings, she says. Oakville, Ont.-travel agent and consultant Shalene Dudley points to shifting travel patterns that emerged after pandemic measures closed airports. 'And I'm seeing that not just on an association level like us, but I'm seeing individual businesses put together their own DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) packages, or bring in experts or consultants to help them build their businesses to make their workplaces more inclusive.' 'People are starting to ask questions and people are starting to say: What can we do better? How can we be better on this?' says TIAO president Christopher Bloore.

Interest in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives has exploded over the past year or so among operators keen to repair relationships and expand their reach, says the head of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, which launched monthly webinars in January for those eager to better welcome visitors who are Black, Indigenous and other people of colour. TORONTO - Travel and hospitality experts say pandemic-battered businesses are increasingly recognizing a longstanding blindspot that if addressed could help them rebound this summer: the BIPOC traveller.

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