By Priyanka Saxena Ray & Shreya Shimpi
Conceived as a platform for connection, encouragement and action, BOTT SheforShe is not just a campaign or a one-day conversation. It is a movement rooted in the belief that women in tourism need stronger spaces to come together, share experiences, inspire one another and grow as a community. As a media platform deeply connected with the travel ecosystem, BOTT felt that the most meaningful role it could play was to create exactly such a space — one where women’s voices, stories and achievements could be celebrated with sincerity and strength.
BOTT’s own journey in the travel industry has been shaped by the warmth, support and encouragement of the tourism fraternity. What emerged over the years was not merely a professional network, but a genuine sisterhood. SheforShe, therefore, is BOTT’s way of giving back to that community — by celebrating women’s milestones, raising conversations around their challenges, and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard.
Importantly, the initiative is not limited to inspiration alone. It is also about creating real pathways of opportunity. At the event, BOTT announced a skill training and placement initiative for 100 young girls from underprivileged backgrounds, in partnership with its CSR partner Creation Welfare Society, with the aim of preparing them for careers in tourism and hospitality. In another significant step, BOTT also introduced the SheforShe Women Safe Destinations initiative, encouraging destinations and tourism stakeholders to create environments where women travellers feel safe, comfortable and empowered to explore. Through the platform, BOTT also aims to recognise organisations that champion women-led leadership, inclusive workplaces and equal opportunities across tourism and hospitality.
At its heart, SheforShe is anchored in a simple but powerful truth: women do not rise by pulling each other down; women rise by lifting each other up.
One of the key highlights of the event was the knowledge session titled “She Travels, She Leads: Celebrating Women’s Journeys, Achievements & Empowerment in Tourism.” The session brought together a distinguished panel of women leaders representing diverse segments of tourism, hospitality, aviation and travel management. The panellists included Ranju Alex, Chief Executive Officer, Accor South Asia; Yummi Talwar, COO, South Asia, VFS Global; Isha Goyal, CEO, STIC Travel Group; Aarti Manocha, MD, Milestones to Memories (MtoM); and Surabhi Rana, Head Aero Commercial, Noida International Airport.
The discussion was beautifully moderated by Barkha Dutt, Editor-in-Chief, Mojo Story, who steered the conversation with warmth, candour and depth. Personal, engaging and highly interactive, the session moved beyond conventional industry dialogue to bring out deeply human stories of struggle, resilience, ambition and self-belief. The tone was intimate and honest, making the audience feel both connected and inspired.
The panellists spoke openly about the realities women continue to face while building careers in the travel and hospitality industry — an arena that is dynamic and rewarding, yet often demanding and deeply competitive. Their stories reflected the balancing act that many women perform with grace, as they navigate personal and professional responsibilities while continuing to challenge expectations and redefine leadership.
Isha Goyal spoke about manoeuvring the unspoken challenges that come with being a woman in the travel space, especially during travel and professional interactions where safety, space and respect can sometimes feel compromised. She reflected on the need to occasionally adopt a more assertive stance simply to be heard and acknowledged.
Yummi Talwar highlighted how women often have to work much harder to step into leadership roles, noting that the climb can be steeper and demands resilience, persistence and the courage to move beyond one’s comfort zone. She also acknowledged the value of having a supportive family through that journey.
Ranju Alex shared how resilience became one of life’s earliest lessons for her. Questioning the tendency to place women into rigid professional boxes, she stressed that gender should never become an impediment in leadership appointments. She also spoke about the need for more balanced, role-based approaches to flexibility at the workplace and emphasised the importance of platforms like these that bring women’s stories to the forefront.
Aarti Manocha reflected on survival and self-reliance as powerful drivers in her own life. She noted that growth often comes not only from learning, but from unlearning, and shared that many barriers begin to fade when one is focused on sustaining and building a life with determination.
Surabhi Rana brought a strong and uplifting message of freedom and self-definition. She spoke about breaking away from societal expectations and the importance of awareness sessions and such gatherings in helping women recognise their worth and believe in their ability to create their own path.
Adding a wider cultural lens to the discussion, Barkha Dutt challenged the narrative of the “superwoman” — a construct that often places impossible pressure on women to excel on every front. She spoke about the burden of cultural conditioning and encouraged women to stop apologising for their ambition, to believe in themselves with conviction and to allow themselves the freedom to simply be.
What made the BOTT SheforShe gathering particularly special was the atmosphere in the room — one of openness, warmth and collective encouragement. The sight of over 200 women dressed in pink was not only visually striking, but also deeply symbolic. It represented solidarity, strength and a shared commitment to lifting one another higher.
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