With a double degree in psychology and international hotel and tourism management, Hailey is a young entrepreneur and advocate for innovation and accessibility in the tourism industry.
While studying at university, Hailey pursued opportunities to develop experience in the tourism industry. She completed a range of internships, including in marketing and strategy with Tourism Australia, brand and marketing (Asia and Americas) with Discova and event management and membership with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.
In 2020, Hailey founded Vacayit – a storytelling platform for blind and low vision tourists that allows them to independently choose where they want to travel. The app features audio-rich stories and soundscapes, industry and operator supplied experiences, community content and reviews and voice assisted integration. As CEO and founder, Hailey works with regional, state and national tourism organisations around the world to develop content so that blind and low vision tourists can engage with the stories and sounds from different destinations to decide where they would like to visit.
In 2021, Hailey travelled to Switzerland to pitch Vacayit at the finals of the World Tourism Forum’s Young Talent Program winning first place in the innovation category.
