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Uwern Jong

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Uwern Jong
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Editor-in-Chief, OutThere
Known forGlobal diversity, equality and inclusion advocate; founder of travel media company; inclusive tourism campaigner

Uwern Jong is a British Asian entrepreneur, journalist, editor and inclusive-tourism advocate.[1][2] Jong co-founded OutThere magazine in 2010.[3][4]

He is an inclusive tourism advocate, promoting a more diverse media landscape[5] and better recruitment and representation in the travel industry.[6] In 2024, he launched Icons of Inclusion,[7] a luxury travel industry event with a focus on diversity, accessibility and inclusion in tourism.

Jong is also founder of Southeast Asia’s first LGBTQ+ travel symposium for the Tourism Authority of Thailand[8] and through OutThere, developed Thailand's “Go Thai Be Free” LGBTQ travel campaign and website,[9] as part as the government’s strategy to attract more diverse tourists to the country.[10]

Jong is credited as an Editor who has been a "material player in the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights.”[11]

Career

[edit]

Jong was one of the original founders of integrated marketing and communications agency, Intelligent Marketing[12] where he created marketing campaigns targeting the LGBTQ+ market[13][14] [15]

Jong continues to campaign for inclusive tourism for the LGBTQ+ community[16][17] and is board-member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association.[18]

Personal life

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Jong is openly gay. He is trustee of the charity Sport Allies[19] that works to combat homophobia in sport.

Awards and recognitions

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  • Walpole Power List 2022 – "The 50 most influential people in British Luxury."[20]
  • TTG Travel Industry Awards 2022 – “LGBT+ Trailblazer of the year.”[21]
  • Attitude 101, 2021 – "10 LGBTQ trailblazers breaking barriers in the travel industry."[22]
  • Campaign Magazine's "Campaign Publishing Awards" for Editorial Leader of the Year – Consumer Publishing, 2020.[23][24]
  • GNETWORK360 Masterclass Award for Excellence in Journalism 2020 that recognises the contribution of international journalists for their work in promoting Argentina as an inclusive destination for travellers.[25]
  • The United States Travel and Tourism Administration's IPW Award 2017 that recognises travel journalists who have made a significant contribution to the promotion of the United States of America as a travel destination, worldwide.[26]

References

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  1. ^ "Uwern Jong | Verified: Editor-in-Chief, OutThere magazine | Muck Rack". muckrack.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  2. ^ "The Luxury Leader Interview | Uwern Jong, Experientialist (Editor)-in-Chief at OutThere magazine". Walpole. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  3. ^ Browne-Swinburne, Jess (13 January 2021). "Uwern Jong | Editor-in-Chief | OutThere Magazine, OutThere Publishing". ppa.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  4. ^ Yiga, Eugene (24 March 2020). "Acumen | Rainbows on the Rise". www.acumenmagazine.co.za. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  5. ^ Thorpe, Esther Keia (9 November 2020). "OutThere Editor in Chief Uwern Jong on creating a luxury brand for inclusive travel". Media Voices Podcast. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  6. ^ McGonagle, Katie (12 November 2020). "Marketing and recruitment key to better BAME representation in travel". Travel Weekly.
  7. ^ "Icons of Inclusion: Calls for industry to adapt and embrace diversity". Sustainable Hotel News. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  8. ^ "South East Asia's First International Lgbt+ Tourism Symposium Kicks Off in Under a Month". TravMedia. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  9. ^ Gill, Rob (15 February 2019). "Thailand showcases LGBT credentials". TTG. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  10. ^ "LGBTQ+ Travel Advice From the Expert; An Interview With Uwern Jong". myGwork. 2020-07-30. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  11. ^ Bonham, Mark S. (2017). A Path to Diversity, LGBT+ participation in the working world. Bonham & Company. pp. 187–190. ISBN 9780993960031.
  12. ^ "Jong shifts role at Intelligent Marketing to grow business". Promotions and Incentives (now CampaignLive). 8 May 2006. ProQuest 232063090.
  13. ^ Thornton, James (20 October 2005). "Online: Spin Palace courts the pink pound with shopping offer". www.campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  14. ^ "Gay and lesbian job seekers want to know if they will achieve their full potential". Daily Express. 18 November 2009.
  15. ^ "Ask the experts: Making the most of your diversity in the job market". the Guardian. 2010-10-14. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  16. ^ "The pink dollar: LGBT tourists need a better welcome in Asia". South China Morning Post. 22 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  17. ^ "Ethical gay travel: Why LGBTQ travellers should be aware of where they're spending money". Attitude.co.uk. 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  18. ^ Tabberer, Jamie (2017-03-31). "British gay travel expert among new appointees to IGLTA board". Gay Star News. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  19. ^ "SPORT ALLIES - Charity 1169945". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  20. ^ "The Walpole Power List 2022 | The 50 Most Influential People in British Luxury". www.thewalpole.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  21. ^ "Triple win for Intrepid Travel at The Travel Industry Awards 2022 by TTG". TTG. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  22. ^ "10 LGBTQ trailblazers breaking barriers in the travel industry". Attitude.co.uk. 2021-12-03. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  23. ^ "Editorial Leader of the Year - Consumer Media/Customer Publishing". www.campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  24. ^ "Telegraph, FT and TTG top winners at 2020 Campaign Publishing Awards". www.campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  25. ^ "Llega MASTERCLASS Gnetwork360". Cámara de Turísmo. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  26. ^ U.S. Travel Association (February 2020). "IPW Travel Writer Awards History" (PDF).