Welcome to ITT
Established in 1956, the Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT) is the only membership organisation for travel and tourism professionals, suppliers, educators, and students across all sectors of the industry. ITT’s main purpose is to raise and maintain professional standards throughout the travel industry and to provide Members with support and guidance.
In 2024, ITT's main focus is on networking with decision-makers, inspiring and encouraging the next generation of talent, and maintaining high professional standards throughout the travel industry.
ITT supports Members at every stage of their career, from offering guidance and inspiration to students and apprentices, to connecting professionals at the most senior level. ITT also advocates for Members' views and rights, and encourages sustainability practices in the industry.
Membership of ITT is open to everyone involved in travel and tourism – whether a employee of a travel agency, airline, tour operator, hotel, tourist office, car hire company or a business working with the sector such as finance, law, PR and marketing. There are different membership tiers available for individuals, companies and educational establishments, including lecturers and students.
ITT also has a President, who is elected annually by the Board of Directors.
Members are connected with each other through a private CommunITTy app. The app has many exciting features such as the ability to message other Members, access exclusive offers and special deals, receive updates about events, update or renew an ITT membership, and view the latest ITT news.
There is also a private Members Wall to share comments, photos and videos.
ITT Events
ITT Members can attend a variety of events – both business and social – where they can discuss industry issues and connect with peers.
From quarterly guest speaker suppers to seasonal cocktail parties, free-to-attend networking events and much more besides, there are always plenty of opportunities to meet with other Members throughout the year.
The ITT Conference is the travel industry’s blue riband event, created for ITT Members and attended by senior figures from across the UK travel and tourism industry. The conference is held overseas in a different destination each year. The next ITT Conference will be in Chia Laguna, Sardinia from 2-4 June 2025.
Education and Training
ITT runs an Education and Training Committee aimed at raising and maintaining professional standards in the travel and tourism industry. The committee endorses various training and professional development programmes and provides students with valuable opportunities to start their careers in travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality. Partnerships with educational establishments, student awards, and ITT Future You events are all important parts of ITT’s careers and education work.
ITT works closely with universities and college tourism departments,valuing good practice through an ITT Recognition scheme. The Institute also awards a select number of leading universities with an ITT Centre of Excellence status, assists in organising industry placements and provides these universities with other valuable benefits.As well as helping to improve career prospects, the Education and Training Committee celebrates high-calibre students and apprentices at the annual ITT Future You Awards.
As part of ITT’s mission to raise professional standards in the industry, the ITT Recognition programme recognises companies and individuals that offer high-quality training and development for industry staff.
The ITT Education and Training Committee is ideally placed to review Members’ training programmes in line with the requirements and recognised standards of the industry. An endorsement from ITT can add significant weight to a company/individual’s profile and training programme.
ITT Future You is an initiative started in 2008 to give students ideas and inspiration for their future careers. Over 20,000 students have attended ITT Future You events in the UK, with more globally.
The popular annual ITT Future You Conference at WTM along with the Future You on the Road series of regional events, provides students with the opportunity to hear from industry professionals about their careers and tips for success first-hand.
The Education and Training committee is made up of ITT Board Members with relevant expertise; representatives from each Centre of Excellence and other Members of ITT who give their time on a voluntary basis to support the committee with its work.
Sustainability
The ITT Sustainability Committee was set up in 2022 in response to the industry’s post-pandemic need to rebuild better and develop better strategies and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop travel and tourism experiences which aim to protect destinations, the natural environment and enhance local communities’ livelihoods.
Our aim is to help support Members to embrace the sustainability agenda and embed it in their business philosophy and operations. The current focus is on 4 key areas of carbon management, destination management, supply chains and transportation (including ground handling and cruise).
The Committee is chaired by ITT Board Member Fiona Jeffery OBE, a long-time champion of sustainability, Founder of World Responsible Tourism Day, and the International NGO Just a Drop. “The key purpose of the Sustainability Committee is to inspire ITT Members to embrace the sustainability agenda so it becomes embedded in their business philosophy and operations“ said Fiona Jeffery OBE.