FOR THREE and a half decades, Gai Spann has navigated the complex waters of the travel industry with a singular mission: to elevate Black travel professionals in spaces where their voices have long been muted.
Standing at the intersection of advocacy and entrepreneurship, this Atlanta-based changemaker has transformed from agency owner to industry influencer, reshaping how the travel sector approaches diversity.
When Gai walks into industry boardrooms today, the landscape looks markedly different from when she first entered the field in 2004, launching Gaiing the Globe Tours. Back then, she often found herself the only Black professional at the table. "There weren't enough Black voices in the rooms where decisions were made, and that needed to change," she recalled, her words carrying the weight of countless overlooked professionals.
The year 2020 marked a pivotal moment in Gai's advocacy journey. As racial equity conversations intensified across America, she co-founded the Association of Black Travel Professionals (ABTP), an organization born from necessity rather than opportunity. The travel industry's corridors of power remained stubbornly homogeneous, and Gai was determined to disrupt this pattern.
ABTP quickly emerged as more than just another professional association. Under Gai's guidance, it became a formidable platform showcasing the economic impact of Black travel professionals while simultaneously serving as a talent pipeline for industry suppliers seeking diverse expertise. The organization's proprietary training programs and specialist certifications equip members with tools to excel in an industry that hadn't always welcomed their contributions.
Perhaps most revolutionary was ABTP's creation of the Beyond Travel Leadership Forum, culminating in the industry's first Awards Gala specifically celebrating Black travel advisers' achievements. In an industry that had long overlooked their contributions, this recognition represented not just acknowledgment but a reclaiming of space.
Gai's influence extends beyond organizational leadership. In January 2023, she stepped into a senior partnership manager role at TourRadar, where she continues building alliances that amplify diverse voices throughout the travel ecosystem. Her dual positions give her unique leverage to effect change from multiple angles.
What distinguishes Gai's approach is her commitment to sustainable transformation. While opening doors for current professionals, she simultaneously mentors emerging Black travel advisers, ensuring the pipeline remains robust. "Mentorship is crucial," she emphasizes. "We need to ensure that the doors we've opened remain open for those who follow."
Her academic credentials – a 2021 Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies from Florida International University and a 1990 Bachelor of Science in business studies and marketing from the Wharton School – underpin her multifaceted approach to industry transformation.
Through strategic advocacy, mentorship, and institutional change, Gai has transformed from industry participant to industry architect, redesigning the travel landscape to reflect America's diversity – one professional, one organization, and one policy at a time.
