Two students and a teacher from Regina’s Balfour Collegiate had the unique opportunity to build connections and share ideas with other tourism students, educators, and industry professionals from around the world at the 2025 Global Travel and Tourism Partnership (GTTP) conference.
Held this year in Athens, Greece, thanks to sponsors IHG Hotels, Marriott, and Aegean Airlines, the conference brought together teams of students from eleven countries to present their research on Technology Transforming Travel: An Enabler of a More Inclusive Travel Experience for All, as well as explore tourism careers.
Nowshin Tabassum and Tasnim Nobony, along with their teacher Kelley Christopherson, were selected to represent Canada at the event. The group participates in the Canadian Academy of Travel and Tourism program offered by Tourism HR Canada. The Canadian member of the GTTP, it offers resources and activities for high school students to learn about tourism, its impact on communities and the economy, and the educational and employment opportunities available in the industry.
The students explored how technology is enhancing comfort and support for all travellers in Saskatchewan, with a focus on travellers with disabilities and neurodiverse travellers. They spoke with people who have professional experience supporting people living with a disability, and identified the key physical, sensory, and communication barriers affecting visitors across the province. The pair did extensive online research, reviewed accessibility guidelines, and conducted interviews to determine what accessibility features already exist and where improvements are still needed. They noted a need for informational campaigns and staff training to fully welcome travellers with disabilities and for more government funding to support tourism businesses and communities to make inclusive upgrades. Their recommendations included improvements to accessible transportation services, quiet pods in airports, and an app to navigate accessible travel information and create custom itineraries.
They were in turn able to learn about how technology is facilitating accessible, inclusive travel in other countries, and then participate in a careers event, hearing from four international tourism leaders about their professional journeys and networking with global brands such as IHG Hotels, Marriott International, Red Carnation Hotels, and Amadeus. They were also treated to a gala evening hosted by the iconic Hotel Grande Bretagne, one of Marriott’s Luxury Collection hotels.
“This experience made me realize how big the world is and how many opportunities there actually are,” said Nowshin. “I didn’t think travel or tourism could be a real career for someone like me. Now I’m seriously considering traveling after school and working in the industry.”
“Meeting students my age from around the world was the best part,” Tasnim added. “I feel more independent and more confident, and I’m proud that we represented our school and our community.”
Their teacher, Kelley, noted, “This experience was transformational for the students. They were applying curriculum in real, authentic, hands-on ways that simply can’t be replicated inside a classroom. Both girls came home more confident, more curious, and genuinely excited about their futures. On my side, this experience brought new energy and inspiration into my teaching. I returned with fresh ideas, renewed excitement for the Tourism program, and a deeper understanding of how impactful these opportunities can be.”
The Canadian Academy of Travel and Tourism (CATT) is proud to be a longtime member of the GTTP, a leading charitable organization bringing travel and tourism education to nearly 700,000 students annually in secondary, tertiary, and vocational schools. It funds and shapes educational programs so students can build relevant skills for the workplace and offers hands-on work experience and internships. GTTP recognizes outstanding talent and achievement through competitions and awards such as this Student Research Conference.
The CATT program offers a free suite of teaching resources designed to integrate seamlessly into schools across the country, and offers access to GTTP’s learning portal. For more information on how to join the program, visit the CATT webpage or email info@tourismhr.ca.