Priyanka Saxena Ray
Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI and Vice Chairman, FAITH
“I would like to encourage more women to join the travel industry because they are multi-taskers, and more committed. They think from their head and heart also. We need to work with more women.”
MY INSPIRATION, all my life, has been my mother and I follow her always. Growing up, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what being a woman meant. All the women around me or at least the women I looked up to had a lot in common – they had successful careers, they were married, they were mothers, and they were involved in their communities. My mother was a great example of the same andfor me, she was an ideal woman. When it comes to the travel industry, I was inspired by my husband who was the President of TAAI in 2005. That’s when I felt if he can do it, why not a woman? I am the second woman President of TAAI in 75 years.
I BELIEVE that today we are living in times where we’re walking together with men at every step then why should we demand special treatment? If I can travel all across the world, why do I need someone to carry my bag? I apply the same thing to my workplace. More than it being a women-friendly place, I like to call it an equal opportunity place that feels safe and secure for both men and women. Only thing I am particular about is respect, which not only every woman but human being needs to get. At a larger level, we’re working on including as many women as possible to our workforce. The current initiative I am working on involves training women from different states and start skilling them. After becoming the President of TAAI, I started the women’s stream, WITT (Women in TAAI and Tourism). We have done knowledge webinars; physical meetings discussing important aspects of tourism; development of skills and are now launching grass root skilling starting in Uttar Pradesh where we will be training 20 women in hospitality; in other aspects of the value chain of tourism and also get them jobs or empowering them with skills to become entrepreneurs. We’re also going to run a series of webinars for women on different aspects – challenges for women, women at workplace, handling finances, legal rights, health etc.
WOMEN TODAY have Come a long way in making their importance and equality felt. From successful homemakers to established entrepreneurs to hard-working employees, women have proven, that they are masters of multitasking and managerial skills. However, I feel women need to respect themselves to get respect. More often than not, women don’t know how to put their thoughts across. She’s often scared of being snubbed, and refuted, especially those who’ve just come out of their homes.
ONE CHANGE that I would like to bring is to encourage more women to come in because they are multi-taskers, and more committed. They think from their head and heart also. We need to work with more women, there should be a work policy with 30 percent belonging to women, and some chairs even for the elections of the managing committee reserved for women. I am of the belief that women can bring a significant change in the tourism business by way of offering innovative and creative solutions within and outside the vertical, resulting in additional employment generation and earning livelihood for their families.
Vasudha Sondhi, Managing Director, Outbound Marketing
“Even now I do see that women and even very senior women are not taken seriously enough by the senior men of the hospitality industry. The only way this can change is for a 360-degree attitudinal change by the male colleagues.”
MY INSPIRATION, has been my mother and siblings. I believe the first step in any direction is always taken at home. My mother was academically very bright, learnt foreign languages even after she had 4 children and managed her home and was very vociferous about all her daughters having careers. She also was a freelancer correspondent. My elder sister is 11 years older and I saw her prepare frenetically for her IAS exams. She cleared and was a rank holder something between 5thand 10thrank. The second sister did her masters and journalism and went on to becoming a media person. Being the youngest it was natural for me to also have a profession and try to do my best. My mother continued to encourage us to do better and better and to never take accolades so seriously that it went to our heads. She would always tell us to sleep over our challenges to have a solution by the morning. It’s always worked. Then, I met whilst in school, Ms. Thangam Philip, the doyen of the hospitality institutes of India and was so inspired by her life story that I immediately wanted to join the IHM in Mumbai where she was the principal. My parents were quite against the idea. I decided to go ahead with the admission and managed the process myself and then announced to my family that I had joined the hotel school. Ms Philip was so ahead of her time. She saw that India would need trained hospitality personnel in 3 decades and set up the IHMs when even the government did not take her seriously. But she forged on and the rest is history as they say. Her discipline, passion for the hospitality industry and vision continue to inspire me even today.
I BELIEVE I am quite genderless at the workplace. It just so happens that I do have more women than men at Outbound Marketing. Having worked with International Hotel companies 90% of my corporate career, my mindset tends to be like that and therefore the culture at our workplace. I recall as early as 2005, we gave maternity leave and benefits to our women team members when they needed it. We also offered to the same person the flexibility to work from home for the next 3 or 6 months. This was much ahead of its time.
WOMEN TODAY have come a long way. I had encountered once early on in my career a male chauvinistic attitude when I was not hired because I was a mother to a young child. I think we have come a long way from those days. Yet, even now I do see that women and even very senior women are not taken seriously enough by the senior men of the hospitality industry. It tends to be a little like a “boys club”. The only way this can change is for a 360-degree attitudinal change by the male colleagues. To want to have a family and career is not a big ask and that should not be reason enough to think the woman is not serious about her career.
ONE CHANGE is tough to say. I asked the women in my organisation this question just so that I don’t give a biased reply. They thought hard and said that nothing needed to be changed. It was woman-friendly enough.
Meena Bhatia Vice President & General Manager Le Meridien New Delhi
“I strongly believe in equality in the true sense and I think making an equal place for women in the workplace is more relevant that creating women exclusive facilities. We support and encourage a culture where women are confident to stand alongside men.”
MY INSPIRATION: I get inspired by the wonderful women that I have had the pleasure to work with or cross paths with in the industry, Women are the biggest inspiration for women, thank you to the lovely friends in the industry who never let your spirits down. What inspires me is their strength, power to influence and passion for life.
I BELIEVE strongly in equality in the true sense and I think making an equal place for women in workplace is more relevant that creating women-exclusive facilities. We support and encourage a culture where women are confident to stand alongside men and have an equal opportunity to perform and progress. However more critical issue is to work towards creating a balance in number of men and women as well, it’s a long road to tread but a few recent initiatives like our collaboration with WICCI-SATTHIYA skill development initiative we are trying to create more opportunities for women in our hotel. I urge young girls in schools, Hospitality schools and those in the early years of their career to stay committed to their passion and dreams of a successful career in the industry.
WOMEN TODAY: Once again, make your own place and earn your respect, no not always will there be a man or a woman, waiting to help, support and understand, but strong women know how to keep going, how to influence others with their power and resolve, how to make a place for themselves and for others to follow.
ONE CHANGE: Do not stereotype jobs, no job is only for men and no job needs only women. Let all jobs be gender-neutral and may the best one survive and excel.
Priyanka Nijhawan, Director, Representations Nijhawan Group
“Women today are definitely being given their due recognition. Today, we are seeing women joining the travel industry more than ever, spearheading not only managerial roles but also heading key divisions.”
MY INSPIRATION is Indira Nooyi, the past CEO of PepsiCo, has been my inspiration as a woman leader, having one of the most successful corporate profiles, setting and ideal example for the rest of the woman community to encourage others to reach greater heights in their carriers. With a visionary leadership like hers, her commitment to a healthy and cohesive workplace equality, as well as her strategic thinking and daring decision-making skills, have set a powerful inspiration for me. These are some of the qualities that I have tried to inculcate professionally.
I BELIEVE very strongly in girl power. I feel that women can lead in all spheres of life, and can imbibe stronger personalities when it comes to spearheading teams, commitment and also possess better people-people skills. At Nijhawan Group, we have a healthy mix of women colleagues, who account for almost 60% of our workforce.
As an initiative to make the environment women friendly, we have introduced flexible policies like work-from-home on certain days and have also tweaked official timings for those travelling from afar. We also plan to introduce more policies for those of our young colleagues, looking at maternity benefits in future.
WOMEN TODAY are definitely being given their due recognition. Today, we are seeing women joining the travel industry more than ever, spearheading not only managerial roles but also heading key divisions.
ONE CHANGE is tough to say as being a woman myself, I am very sensitive to my fellow women colleagues’ needs. However, with an ever-growing team like ours, I look at introducing more policies that make them feel comfortable – be it direct helplines or increased in-person interactions so as to promote equality and a healthy work-life balance.
Ranjana Sharma, Managing Director, Trav-N-Tours International (TNTI)
“There is a growing awareness to promote gender equality at all levels and create more opportunities for women to succeed, both for the benefit of individuals and for the industry as a whole.”
MY INSPIRATION: My mother has been an inspiration for me because she taught me the importance of positive attitude, to always look on the bright side and to find joy in every big or small moment. She had the quality of demonstrating unwavering perseverance with grit and humour in the face of any obstacle. Her ability to overcome any stressful situation with grace and determination has taught me the value of resilience and persistence.
Her dedication to her family and her open-mindedness and willingness to learn and grow inspired me to approach life with an open heart and an open mind. Her willingness to listen, learn, and embrace new ideas has taught me the importance of being open to new perspectives and experiences that has shaped me the person I am today.
I BELIEVE: To make our workplace more women-friendly, we are open to flexible working arrangements including remote work. We encourage a culture that values everyone’s contribution, regardless of gender that helps to create a supportive and collaborative environment in all our business verticals.
WOMEN TODAY: Times have changed and it’s time to change. There are so many women in our industry who have successfully navigated all challenges and have achieved success with their single-minded determination and hard work. Today they are well-represented in leadership positions and are important and valuable contributors to the tourism and hospitality industry. There is a growing awareness to promote gender equality at all levels and create more opportunities for women to succeed, both for the benefit of individuals and for the industry as a whole.
ONE CHANGE: To make workplaces more women-friendly can include creating policies that support gender equality, provide equal opportunities for career advancement, encourage open communication and feedback. We need to make conscious efforts to ensure that everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed in their respective workplace.
Beena Menon, India Representative, Tourism Ireland
“There has never been a better time than now for women in the corporate world, especially the travel industry, with women holding top positions in so many companies. I hope that more women are encouraged and inspired to join this amazing industry.”
MY INSPIRATION is every woman that builds and nurtures her family, and is as successful at the workplace displaying that same productivity, confidence and dedication is an inspiration to me! Right from former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi to Dr. Soumya Swaminathan – Chief Scientist of WHO, there are inspirations all around us!
I BELIEVE women are slowly getting there! Our team right now happens to be an all-women workforce making our workplace environment very friendly and conducive for each team member. Aside from being physically comfortable in their work space, our work environment also exudes an air of empathy and sisterhood. My business partner, Huzan Fraser Motivala and I are both working women with families. We understand it is very important for a woman to be able to maintain a perfect balance of both, a professional and personal life, and ensure that our work environment enables this.
WOMEN TODAY, are certainly being given their due respect today. The travel and tourism industry is one of the best spaces for women to build their careers. The industry requires attention to detail, dazzling customer service, and just the right amount of creativity – all qualities that women are aces in. There has never been a better time than now for women in the corporate world, especially the travel industry, with women holding top positions in so many companies. I hope that more women are encouraged and inspired to join this amazing industry and become Girl Bosses!
Sirigesanong Trirattanasongpol
Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, New Delhi
“This Women’s Day, we have planned a few activities for our staff. In fact, we are also in discussion to initiate a women’s program in India where a group of women can be skilled in one of Thailand’s popular artwork.”
Thailand has legally advanced women’s rights and gender equality. As a country and as a tourist destination, we are known as a ‘women-friendly’ destination and we know how to welcome our women travellers and make their holidays special. At the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), we have a ratio of 70:30 of women to men employees, which again shows that we take good care of our employees, whether men or women. We encourage our workforce to participate in recreational activities from time to time. This Women’s Day, we have planned a few activities for our staff. In fact, we are also in discussion to initiate a women’s program in India where a group of women can be skilled in one of Thailand’s popular artwork like flower-making or pottery designs etc.
NeliswaNkani, Hub Head – MEISEA, South African Tourism
“The travel industry has been defined by some of the most inspirational female personalities who have challenged conventional norms and decided to swim against the tide of challenges.”
MY INSPIRATION, is travel itself and has remained a big part of my journey throughout. It has not only introduced me to life changing and meaningful experiences but has also constantly challenged me in varying situations, allowing me to step outside my comfort zone and adapt to the changing life settings. I feel blessed that I had the privilege of turning my passion for travel into my profession.
In my current role, what inspires me the most is the beautiful bond shared between my birth nation, South Africa and my second home – India. It is my belief that more people should be aware of the rich history, hardships and similarities shared by both the countries. This ever-strengthening bond between the two countries encourages me to push myself each day. It fills me with great honour and joy that I get to play a part in strengthening this bond between the two nations through travel!
I BELIEVE and feel fortunate to have worked with some of the best individuals in the industry – who went past any gender biases and treated me like a professional. As someone who has been entrusted with the opportunity to have a seat at the table, it is my responsibility to make the most of it by building a more diverse and inclusive work culture. It is my constant endeavour to encourage more and more females to be a part of the tourism industry and share in the benefits that this industry brings. I feel extremely proud when I encounter women who are fearless in voicing their opinions and are building their own path to success. I continually seek to reflect the hands that raised me and the conscious of those that seek to follow my footsteps.
WOMEN TODAY, across industries, are increasingly raising the bar and setting new standards of innovation, achievements, and performance each day. The travel industry has been defined by some of the most inspirational female personalities who have challenged conventional norms and decided to swim against the tide of challenges.
While women make up the majority of the travel and tourism workforce, when you move towards the top and look at C-suites, the ratio does not fit in yet. As an industry, we have fared well in last few years but there is still a long way to go until the full potential of women in the tourism industry is realized. I believe and am hopeful that this is only a matter of time and gradually we will achieve equal female representation in the boardrooms as well. I am confident that future holds great possibilities for women.
ONE CHANGE would be recognising and empowering women to assume leadership positions that will help create an environment for them to perform under equally competitive conditions. Every year, through our trade initiatives, South African Tourism encourages more and more SMMEs and women-led businesses to participate and take the centre stage.
It is essential that gender equality strategies of the tourism sector are backed by institutional support. In South Africa, the Department of Tourism, helmed by the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Ms. Lindiwe Sisulu is doing commendable work in aiding women who own businesses and empowering those who aspire to own tourism businesses. It actively ensures that women are a part of the tourism value chain and supply chain.
Personally, I am excited to see budding women entrepreneurs who are setting new precedents and reaching new heights with their work in the travel trade fraternity.
Pinki Arora, Marketing Representative North & East India, Bangladesh & Nepal
Tourism Authority of Thailand New Delhi
“Travel and tourism sector offers an incredible opportunity to a vast number of women who are looking for flexible and local work opportunities, be it in a city, town or village.”
Women are being acknowledged across the world for their immense contribution in every sphere of life. There is an encouraging trend in India where the women workforce is being valued and given due respect. Travel and tourism sector offers an incredible opportunity to a vast number of women who are looking for flexible and local work opportunities, be it in a city, town or village. This is precisely the reason that women account for 65% of the international tourism workforce. Therefore, it is imperative that the tourism sector should be given a lot of importance in India. It can provide women with more opportunities for workforce participation, leadership, entrepreneurship and empowerment than many other sectors, particularly in developing regions and as such it can have a tremendous effect on poverty reduction in rural communities.
Sheema Vohra, Managing Director, Sartha Global Marketing
“So many successful women in our industry demonstrate that women are recognized and respected for their professional contributions. I think respect has to be earned, not given, and a lot depends on the individual concerned.”
MY INSPIRATION: I have many mentors both in the industry and outside. I have been fortunate to work with some fantastic individuals and professionals in my working life. At the University of Nevada Las Vegas, I had some outstanding professors who taught me the importance of relationships, networking, creative thinking and discipline. In the beginning of my career, I worked for Marriott hotels in the US and had two unique women bosses from whom I learnt compassion, efficiency, commitment to excellence and attention to detail. During my professional journey in India, I had a few more wonderful mentors who encouraged me to think out of the box, never give up, believe in your dreams, be a woman of substance, think independently and show empathy towards others.
I BELIEVE our workplace is women friendly as we believe in equal opportunity and do not practice any discrimination in hiring, promotions, and individual growth paths. Everyone is equal and promotions depend on performance, not gender. We have separate facilities for women, we have included little things that matter, like a well-lit full-length mirror.
WOMEN TODAY: So many successful women in our industry demonstrate that women are recognized and respected for their professional contributions. I think respect has to be earned, not given, and a lot depends on the individual concerned. I also think we have to move ahead instead of constantly looking for gender bias. Women bring so much to their work environment – including the ability to multi task, show empathy, creativity, critical thinking, and commitment.
ONE CHANGE: As a majority of our team members are women, our office is quite women friendly. However, maybe a women’s changing room would be nice.
Tekla Maira, Regional Director of Sales – India, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts
“Women today, I feel, are being given their due respect and opportunity. I see so many women making successful careers in our industry and being great leaders.”
MY INSPIRATION, has been a number of women in my workplace from whom I have learnt and continue to do so. Nandini Verma my very first boss in Hyatt sales and marketing continues to be a role model – a perfectionist in every way I learnt how important it is to dot my I’s and cross my T’s- meeting deadlines and speaking your mind have been my most important learnings. Just when I thought I have evolved as a professional in the hospitality space I came across Meenaz Lilani who today heads Global sales in Accor – leading by example she was a tremendous inspiration – tough though she was I never grudged the demands she placed on the work front and pushed me to over perform. My success as an entrepreneur has lots to do with her leadership!
I BELIEVE and exercise flexibility in the work place and am mindful of colleagues’ circumstances making it easier for them to pursue work life balance. A number of women are left with no choice but to take career breaks on account of family obligations. I am always happy to offer opportunities to such women and motivate them to restart their career. Age tends to be a barrier in our industry and I don’t believe that retirement should be compulsory at a certain age. I would never create a bias while recruiting older women for jobs they feel they can still manage
WOMEN TODAY, I feel, are being given their due respect and opportunity. I see so many women making successful careers in our industry and being great leaders. I believe their dedication and hard work has earned them this position.
ONE CHANGE I would bring about is to build in a childcare facility at the work place. A mother is so much more at peace knowing her kid(s) are in good care and she has the ability to go see them as and when required. The Mother – child bonding is indeed important for both during the growing years and we must facilitate this.
Deepika Chowdhry, Founder CEO, Candid India
“Women todayare making great strides in the travel tourism and hospitality sector, and they are beginning to receive the respect and importance they deserve. However, there is still a lot of progress to be made.”
MY INSPIRATION in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector is Anthony Bourdain. He was a chef, author, and TV host who had a true passion for food, culture, and travel. He believed that through food, we can learn about different cultures and explore the world in a unique and beautiful way. He taught us to appreciate different cuisines and also gave us a glimpse into the culture, people, and places he visited. His passion inspired me to explore the world and to appreciate the beauty and culture of different places.
I BELIEVE that women should be made comfortable at workplace and so I have taken several steps to make my workplace more women-friendly. I have advocated for flexible working hours to accommodate family needs and encourage my colleagues to do the same. I always believed in offering equal opportunities for women in the workplace and promote gender equality. I have also organized workshops for women to help them enhance their skills and gain confidence in their abilities. Additionally, I have ensured that all the necessary facilities, such as private restrooms, are available and that the office environment is safe and secure for all.
WOMEN TODAY are making great strides in the travel tourism and hospitality sector, and they are beginning to receive the respect and importance they deserve. However, there is still a lot of progress to be made in terms of equal representation and opportunity in this field, as well as in many other industries. There are many initiatives being taken, such as diversity and inclusion programs, to ensure that women have the same chances and opportunities as men in the workplace. It is my hope that with continued effort, women will achieve the full respect and recognition they deserve in the travel tourism and hospitality sector.
ONE CHANGE that I would like to bring about at my work place would be to create a more flexible work policy that allows for a better work/life balance. This would include allowing more remote working opportunities, offering part-time or job-sharing options, and providing more family-friendly benefits. These changes would create a more supportive and inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of gender.
Samina Munshi, Director, N. Chirag
“I don’t agree with the term women empowerment because I don’t think women are weak and have to be given power by someone else. Women must recognise that they are the real architects of the society.”
MY INSPIRATION, in life has been my mother and my aunt – one was good at handling the home front and other was dealing beautifully with the work-life balance. They both taught me great deal about life and I shall always carry their lessons in my heart. I owe my faith, resilience and strong character to both of these women in my life.
I BELIEVE that women today are empowered enough. I don’t agree with the term women empowerment because I don’t think women are weak and have to be given power by someone else. Women must recognise that they are the real architects of the society and derive power and value from within, not from external intervention. For me, empowerment is that force inside us to create change, express freely, and achieve limitlessly.
WOMEN TODAY have high self-esteem and confidence, which are the two key qualities that I relate to successful women. They believe that they have a right to dream and achieve their goals. They are not afraid; they believe in themselves and don’t back down. They encourage and mentor other women to recognise their innate capacity and determine the power of their solidarity and genuine team spirit. Women themselves are Power and true empowerment is acknowledging that power within and believing that we are worthy, whole, and enough.
Over the years, I have come to realize that women lead differently and two qualities we all women share is an enormous capacity to multi-task and care deeply about values. As entrepreneurs, we get to create a value system that drives the culture of our business.
ONE CHANGE is tough to say as at N.Chirag, more than 75% of the team is women and they are all leaders who have achieved the balance in their homes and workplace seamlessly. They are all confident, creative and innovative women who thrive off each other’s energy and empower others to see more of world.
Gita Chaudhry, Founder, Terra Tales
“Women today are being acknowledged for their work, but still have a long way to go. There are some who have emerged as established names and gained respect beyond doubt, but not without challenges.”
MY INSPIRATION, since my childhood has been my mother.Ever since I remember, I had one personality who influenced, inspired, and guided me at every juncture. Our huge heterogeneous family had professions from various walks of life but it was my mother who has been a teacher, an artist a gardener and a great inspiration to all of us. They had different perspectives and temperaments and the best part was that she knew how to maintain the balance with everyone and everything with a confident smile. I grew with her and learned this art with the passage of time, which enabled and empowered me to emerge as a professional with a higher Emotional Quotient (EQ). It helped me grow leaps and bounds on all fronts. I still look up to her as my role model.
I BELIEVE that the sales and marketing in the hospitality sector involves a great deal of travelling. Not many women professionals used to come forward and for many, the stint stayed short-lived. I encouraged many to join the brigade and I did handholding at every step. I helped them to maintain a work-life balance amidst challenges and deadlines. I travelled with them far and wide not only to turn them more confident and tactful but to ensure their well-wishers that they could handle their professional commitments in a magnificent manner.
WOMEN TODAY, while acknowledged for their work, still have a long way to go. There are some who have emerged as established names and gained respect beyond doubt, but those who are emerging have their share of challenges. They are still not taken seriously as desired as many feel that they may go on sabbatical or quit due to personal commitments. Some think that they cannot withstand immense pressures and taxing work hours, but the mindset is changing and women professionals in the travel tourism and hospitality sector, however, it is still a longer way to go.
ONE CHANGE I wish to see around me is to get gender-based apprehensions uprooted fully and wholly. Professionals shall be professionals. This paradigm shift may take years to reach the desired point. In the short run, I want the entities and the workforce to be sensible and sensitive toward women professionals which would certainly make them outperform themselves.
Punam Singh, Chief Happiness Officer, IHN
“I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare… My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive, and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour and some style.”
MY INSPIRATION, are so many women that I can’t choose just one person. There are so many who are complete inspirations in their respective fields for varying reasons.
First is Sudha Murthy (Philanthropist, Author & Chairperson Infosys Foundation) for her amazing journey as a runaway orphan, her guts to glory rise, her complete simplicity and humility throughout despite being one of the most powerful and monied ladies in the global milieu.
In the sports field, it’s Mary Kom for showing that circumstances, motherhood, marriage, family life, age are mere factors or stepping stones to success and achievement as long as the hunger to excel, perform and push your limits drives you. What a lady!
But, if I lead from the heart, in the 50-plus age group, (to which I belong), I would, without hesitation, plumb for Vasudha Sondhi – for her consistent excellence in delivery/grace/support of her team & industry colleagues / her impeccable reputation and of course her fabulous saree collection; Tekla Maira – her knowledge/ability to incisively make presentations / her sense of humour / the ability to take a break at the right time / her sterling reputation & of course her jewellery collection; Shoba (Mohan) Rudhra for her outstanding ability to make ex tempore presentations for each & every one of the 110 properties she represents at RARE; Jyoti Mayal – for being the lady that rose not just to TAAI Presidentship on her own steam & efforts / who has created & is maintaining ICONIC, TIES & WITT! Meena Bhatia – who is quite a legend in the hospitality industry / an achiever in her field / an art aficionado & supporter / a champion for the causes of women’s skilling & placement staunch friend to her circle! Next would be Chitra Bhatia – an icon in “her” days/someone who has worked with the leading travel brands & rubbed shoulders with the biggest names – yet remains so humble. Finally, to Dr. Kuku (Surinder) Kumar – for walking her path with courage, never giving up & building a hugely successful business / for pioneering aviation – travel – tourism skilling!
Amongst the “younger” lot, I would like to mention Priyanka Nijhawan, Reema Sisodia, Lubaina Sheerazi, Neeti Sharma, Madhuri Verma, Pallavi Mehra, Priyanka Saxena, Shikha Khanna and Komal Seth; whom I have in different ways, being inspired by & learned from.
To end, I am completely inspired by Maya Angelou – her poems, grit, poetry & life story. I quote – “I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare ……. My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive, and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour and some style.”
I BELIEVE and have strived to make my workplace highly conducive for women. I have always focused on hygiene comfort, keeping medical kits with sanitary napkins & meds for “that time of the month”, for ensuring safety & security for women working late / travelling alone, for some flexibility in time for working moms & continuously encouraging them to increase their knowledge base & to breach the glass ceiling – to perform on merit & stand shoulder to shoulder with their male colleagues. Very importantly, I have consistently discouraged backbiting, scheming & manipulation amongst women as that is how small minds work & I believe in thinking big & living large!
WOMEN TODAY, I think, are definitely getting the recognition they deserve. Increasingly this is the case across the board; but there is still a long way to go!
ONE CHANGE that I would like to bring to my workplace is that perhaps I may want not just the women but all-encompassing, to refresh their minds with an occasional course correction to a healthier lifestyle and a work-life balance!
Arshdeep Anand, Director, Holiday Moods Adventures and Chairperson, ATOAI Women’s Collective EC, OTOAI
“The fact that I am a woman endowed with power to create, nurture and transform is very fascinating to me. Just being a woman inspires me!”
MY INSPIRATION, is not just one but many! Reading inspires me. I have always enjoyed reading & books influence me a lot. The first quote that inspired me and I imbibed it in my life ‘Always reach for the stars! Even if you don’t get them, you don’t get your hands slung with mud either’.
Being a trekker, I pick up inspirations from nature. “Go out in the woods, go out. If you don’t go out in the woods nothing will ever happen and your life will never begin.” The more I spend time in nature, the more I learn and absorb. So, Nature inspires me.
I am a traveller. I go wherever life takes me & let it unfold. Let life happen & build more stories. These stories from our own lives, our actions & reactions to a particular episode help me to analyse myself & inspire me to become better. Travel inspires me.
The fact that I am a woman endowed with power to create, nurture & transform is very fascinating to me. Just being a woman inspires me!
I BELIEVE that we are a very women-friendly organisation and senior positions in our team are held by women. We prefer to hire women who are restarting their careers after a sabbatical. Undoubtedly, there is a difference in their productivity and loyalty as they are more mature after having worked earlier & then taken a break, mostly to look after home & children, hence are more open to learning & suggestions. As such, we give full respect to their work- life balance & support them with whenever they need time off. We also find that there is more discipline & congeniality when you have women working on your team, which leads to a happy environment.
WOMEN TODAY, have come a long way. Interestingly, around 70% of the workforce employed in the tourism sector comprises women, yet hardly 5-8% are seen holding board positions. Mostly women are employed in the lower paying jobs and disproportionately work part-time to handle their family responsibilities, which are mostly unpaid jobs. It is also observed that women perform lot of work in family – run tourism businesses which is not paid for. A lot needs to be done to recognise the inputs of women and give them their due.
ONE CHANGE is that we definitely need to have more women in the lead & organisations should wake up to this fact, acknowledge & give them their due. If we can appreciate their work & loyalty in lower-paying jobs then we should be able to appreciate them as leaders as well. I also think that the wait for the organic growth process has been too long and the few handful of women holding leadership positions in the various fields of tourism sector should join hands and work collectively for the upliftment of fellow women in the industry. It’s a tall order, but can be achieved by adopting a few simple changes like Integrating more women in the team, building their trust, facilitating work – life balance, encouraging their physical and psychological well-being& most of all valuing their contribution.
Romana Parvi, Regional Manager – South Asia, Jazeera Airways
“For the travel and tourism hospitality sector, the impact of greater gender equality and women’s empowerment would be highly beneficial, because diverse and gender-equitable organizations perform better.”
MY INSPIRATION: I am inspired by Amelia Earhart, the American Aviator, who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She was known for her adventurous and independent nature and encouraged women to reject the conservative social norms and pursue various opportunities in the field of aviation. In 1929 she helped found an organization of female pilots that later became known as the Ninety-Nines and serve as its first president. In addition, she debuted a functional clothing line in 1933, which was designed “for the woman who lives actively.”
I BELIEVE: Whichever organization I have worked for, we have ensured that women have access to growth and opportunities. We encourage empowering women by giving her an opportunity to actively participate in all aspects of the business and its decision-making process. Gender equality and women empowerment are basic and fundamental to just and equitable working spaces. In fact, at Jazeera Airways India, the percentage of female staff equals the male staff.
WOMEN TODAY:We have definitely come a long way. Again, it’s about gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace. For the travel and tourism hospitality sector, the impact of greater gender equality and women’s empowerment would be highly beneficial, because diverse and gender-equitable organizations perform better.
ONE CHANGE:I would like to encourage work – life balance – If women feel safe and stable in their work environment, it will help in improving the quality of their family life and that of the societies and communities on the whole.
Urvashi Chawla, Head of Sales,
Amal Tamara
“Women today are greatly respected in the tourism and hospitality industry. We travel equally and have great exposure to different destinations in the world – just like the men.”
MY INSPIRATION, has always been to be a better version of my own self. In my journey of wellness tourism there have been many challenges and victories. Personally, I always grow from learning from my past mistakes and aspire to overcome challenges.
I BELIEVE strongly that our organization is very women-friendly and we have colleagues who are successfully balancing motherhood with their work and professional lives.
WOMEN TODAY are greatly respected in the tourism and hospitality industry. We travel equally and have great exposure to different destinations in the world – just like the men. Personally, there has always been gender equality and same opportunity for both.
ONE CHANGE is tough as there is nothing I would like to change about my work, wellness tourism or the travel industry. It is the space I have always aspired to work in and hope we grow from strength to strength. As women we all should support each other, rather than fragmenting the space. If there is one thing I could change – it would be the way other women think.
Sucheta Nagpal, Director & CEO Travstarz Global Group
“In the Tourism and Hospitality business we can see various examples where women have led from the front in creating big brands and have shaped their entrepreneurial journey. We can see this in the Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities as well.”
MY INSPIRATION, have been many women over the years. Not only the travel industry, but I feel women have achieved top positions in varied industries around the world whether it is beverages, technology, clothing and fashion, finance and banking etc and we have some great examples to prove the same. In the travel industry too, we have many women who have done commendable work and achieved great success with their sheer grit and determination. The last 10 to 15 years have been exceptionally good for our women entrepreneurs where time and again they have demonstrated their skills and leadership qualities creating successful ventures and have also given us some great women leaders too, the best example being Ms. Jyoti Mayal, the TAAI President who has inspired many others to rise further including myself. I can take many other names such as Ms. Vasudha Sondhi, Ms. Sheema Vohra, Lubaina Sheerazi etc. who have achieved success with their hard work over the years and strong leadership qualities.
I BELIEVE that being a woman in this fast paced industry has its own challenges as well as positives in this fast changing world. Women are always the backbone on any industry as they understand the ability to multitask on many levels be it career or home. Women in our organization have a safe environment which helps bring out the best in them. We do support work from home when required as well as timings to enable them to balance both aspects of their life. My doors are always open for them to discuss their problems and help them achieve solutions for the same.
WOMEN TODAY, not only in the tourism and hospitality industry, but elsewhere too have been in the forefront in almost all the industries across the spectrum. Talking particularly about the tourism and hospitality business we can see various examples where women have led from the front in creating big brands and have shaped their entrepreneurial journey. We can see this in the Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities as well where we now have many top travel agents being women. However, I do feel there is some more scope as travel and tourism sector is still not considered a complete safe environment.
ONE CHANGE would be tough to say as I do not think we have to make any more changes in our work environment. As stated above we have already made the necessary changes to make our environment a more women-friendly and safe environment.
Geeta Maheshwari, Director
Hospitality & Marketing Services (H&M Services)
“As feminism is about the equality of opportunities and cerebral capacities, it is pertinent that we focus on making space for women and supporting them in fighting gender inequality.”
MY INSPIRATION, is a woman that I often look up to – Mrs Sudha Murty. She challenged patriarchy in every step that she took. From becoming the first female engineer at TATA TELCO to being awarded Padma Shri for her social work, her individuality and finesse have always left me awestruck. Like her, I always aim for the skies while having my feet firm on the ground. My mantra, “The climb will be difficult, the path unknown but passion and goodwill for the betterment of our trade will lead us all to the desired goal” helps me to apply my experience to preserve the quality and diverse representation in hospitality, sales and marketing services. It is my goal to ensure that female entrepreneurs are able to stand tall like Mrs. Murty in this male-dominated world, who work hard and stop at nothing.
I BELIEVE that change begins at home. Having worked in the industry for so long, I have seen the hurdles that women go through in their business. Long-travels, taking care of the household chores, late-evening events and responsibility towards their children are a few of many issues that modern-day women go through. To bridge the gap between men and women, I have a dominant women’s team that I personally train to ensure that they do not feel uncomfortable in any given situation. It is of utmost importance to me that my office is a safe space for women where their opinions are heard and implemented. Additionally, I offer the team maternity and paternity leaves for the new parents so they do not have to worry about juggling between jobs and the well-being of their new-borns.
WOMEN TODAY, are being respected and given their due in our industry but because our business has never been considered inherently good for women, I feel that there is always scope for improvement. To begin with, we need a more equal men-to-women ratio in offices and be aware that it is important to listen to their opinions and needs. As feminism is about the equality of opportunities and cerebral capacities, it is pertinent that we focus on making space for women and supporting them in fighting gender inequality. I wholeheartedly believe that every entrepreneur should provide the women in the office with maternity leaves and equal access to resources.
ONE CHANGE would be equal treatment. Having been associated with various stalwarts of the travel fraternity for over two decades, I was given good treatment where I was treated at par with my counterparts and my thoughts were heard and respected. This enabled me to be the successful female entrepreneur that I am today. It is only if we continue this radiation that we will be able to empower more women in the Tourism and Travel Industry of India.
Tarandeep, Founder, Uplifto, Director, Happy Hotelier Club
“The flexibility norms for a lady on her family way and post-delivery reflects the sensitivity and humane approach followed by hospitality chains. With this support, one can see many women in leadership roles in hospitality sector today.”
MY INSPIRATION, in the hospitality industry has been Ms. Priya Paul, the chairperson of The Park Hotels, a collection of boutique hotels across India. She is a Padma Shri awardee and is the creative “powerhouse” behind the business, personally decorating the hotels with art from her 3,000-plus collection.A true visionary with a futuristic approach, she is completely a people’s person Her dynamism and charismatic personality is a true inspiration. Her clarity and purpose makes her lead by example. She was the first one to bring Boutique concept in hotels way back. A rare side of her people do not know is that she is a big advocate of recycling resources. Also, in my first job, I got a chance to report directly to her and hence, got a great opportunity to learn a lot. My personal inspiration has been Ms. Sudha Murthy and Ms. Indra Nooyi as well
I BELIEVE that my workplace is a safe place for women. Inspired by the good organizations I have worked in and learning from the best practices of organisations worldwide, I have and in the process of strengthening our Standard Operating Procedures for women employees. We, at both our companies(Uplifto – Branding company and Happy Hotelier Club Private Limited) have a clear recruiting policy of 75%women including retired women professionals as they will bring a lot of experience and maturity on the table. Another step taken is most of the young women employees are from humble families with average monthly income of not more than 25k. What we see in them is the drive to get THERE and the attitude to learn and move forward. Till date we have had 10 women employees whom we have coached and trained from basics to handling things independently and this mission is our purpose too which will continue.
WOMEN TODAY, are well-taken care well in the hospitality sector.I started my career in the hospitality sector way back in 1998 with The Park, New Delhi. The kind of secured environment we were working in made us really comfortable to continue in the same industry.The respect towards women employees at all levels from the Security department to individual departments gives a secure environment to women employees in almost all the hospitality groups. The flexibility norms for a lady on her family way and post-delivery also reflects the sensitivity and humane approach in most of the Hospitality chains. With this support, women are in leadership roles in this sector today.
ONE CHANGE would be to bring flexibility to work from home. The environment of empowerment, complete acceptance and care. Regular structured trainings to upskill the women force on a regular basis to unleash the potential in them.
Reena Chopra, Director,
Magical Holidays
“As we are celebrating Womanhood I strongly believe as a woman we must stand up for ourselves and as a woman we must stand up for each other. When we speak about empowering women, it is always for a better tomorrow.”
MY INSPIRATION is Oprah Winfrey. Oprah is a successful entrepreneur with an established foothold in several types of media. She is also an actress and philanthropist. What inspires me is that when Oprah Winfrey started as a news reporter was fired when she was told she was “unfit” for television news. Despite this setback, Winfrey went on to have the most successful daytime talk show from 1986 to 2011. Also, a woman that has inspired me my whole life is my Mum. My mother always smiles, no matter what the circumstances are and that gives me the strength and inspiration to face all problems. To me and my daughters, she is the purest soul… our best critic yet our strongest supporter.
I BELIEVE Women today are taking more intensive roles that demand greater devotion and time. To make workplace more women-friendly we have a mother-friendly environment for working mothers are not bound to do duties outside work hours and at times Flexible Work Schedule to work from home and also if they are leaving the workplace late at night sometimes provide them company transport and ensure that they reach home safely.
WOMEN TODAY, are working in big numbers in the hospitality industry, which would be quite incomplete without the charming smile of a woman at its outset. The feminine touch indeed lends grace and elegance to the hospitality industry. In fact, it would only be fair to say that the industry today holds more potential for women than ever before. Travel and tourism seems to be an important sector for women (46 % of the workforce in this sector are women employees)
Travel and Tourism provides unique work opportunities for females. In India, women representing as a brand image of service sector due to their pleasing nature of working. The marketing of tourism, aviation and hospitality services, women are the ‘Face and Brand’ of the sector.
The gender war of the yesteryears has finally come to an end with a firm acceptance that the women are a great work force in any segment of profession and with sheer hard work and true demonstration they have made the size of their berth bigger. We can easily say that the women work force in all its true sense is the icing on the cake!
We have seen more and more women joining the Travel Trade. All the Associations should encourage young women to become Tourism Entrepreneurs and work closely with Tourism institutes as they are going to be the Future of Tourism of India. Time will come when there will be equal number of females in every aspect.
ONE CHANGE would be to treat women as equals so much so that if a woman rises to the top of her field it should be a commonplace occurrence that draws nothing more than a raised eyebrow at the gender. This can only happen if there is a channelized route for the empowerment of women.
Proper awareness for laws should be there that is law should not be restricted to papers only but the implementation of law should be there so that every woman can be familiar with her rights. Significant steps should be taken to implement all the laws which are amended to facilitate detention, prevention and punishment of crimes against women.
Richa Sharma, Head – PR and Corporate Communications ITC Hotels
“I believe in gender neutrality. I would not distinguish roles according to gender. What all jobs’ men may perform at their work place, women can too, maybe even better.”
MY INSPIRATION: I continue to get inspired everyday…every hour from a number of people. Foremost, my own PR & MarCom team at ITC Hotels. I mean when I say this. It is not easy to steer the roles they do along with their personal lives. I get a lot of strength from observing the ease with which they multi skill. I know you may be looking at a real big celebrity or star who has inspired me but believe me, my girls are Heroes and I learn so much every day from them. Courage, Commitment and Conviction are the top three qualities that get my vibe.
WOMEN TODAY: Take women out of the hospitality industry and you only stare at a shell! That should tell you what I feel of their contribution. Yes, we have come a long way and compared to few decades back, women are definitely being seen much more for the value they bring to a role or position. As I mentioned earlier, multi skilling is a huge asset for women. In an industry that relies on coordination at multiple levels, women are pure natural at simplifying operational ‘chaos’ and creating a warm and friendly environment.
Having said so, the road ahead beckons. A lot more ground needs to be covered. I am sure that will happen soon. Remember, your direction is more important than your speed.
ONE CHANGE: I believe in gender neutrality. I would not distinguish roles according to gender. What all jobs men may perform at their work place, women can too, maybe even better.
Ellona Pereira, Head
AVIAREPS
“Women today are scaling new heights in various corporate leadership roles across the globe. However, the numbers are disproportionately low when compared to male counterparts and hopefully this situation improves in the near future.”
MY INSPIRATION is my mother. She has always been my pillar of strength, my friend and my guide. Not with any stick or instructions’ book, but by just being by my side through thick and thin. Her top priorities were being compassionate, humble and respectful to all people and these values are what I take forward in my life. Being a working mother herself, her job at Air India demanded a lot of her time being spent in business travel however she always maintained a healthy work life balance. As the old adage goes, a daughter is a reflection of her mother, and so glad that I am part of this amazing travel industry which my mother dedicated more than 3 decades of her life. I would like to share that my mom would always say to me ‘When the going gets tough, the tough gets going’ and this has been always been my ‘MANTRA’.
She is definitely my inspiration! My passion, grit and determination is what I draw from her.
I BELIEVE strongly in women empowerment and I can proudly mention that AVIAREPS is all about gender diversity and inclusiveness. In fact, there are many women in leadership roles across our worldwide offices. Secondly, in India the majority of the workforce comprises of women and we have policies and practices in place that creates a professional and safe environment for us.
WOMEN TODAY are scaling new heights in various corporate leadership roles across the globe. However, in the same breath, the numbers are disproportionately low when compared to male counterparts and hopefully this situation improves in the near future.
Today we have tour operators run by woman entrepreneurs who believe in a bright future with tourism for women. Nowadays, woman entrepreneur in tourism are trying to connect travellers to NGOs and provide support for local conservation and social initiatives. Many companies are focusing on ecotourism and sustainability.
The travel sector today is seeing a sea of change with women taking on leadership roles. I believe women are genetically wired to be great host and planners with great vision.
ONE CHANGE is tough to point as I have top 3 in mind. First is to make the workplace a mother friendly workplace having day-care or crèche for new mother post the maternity level. Next professional development training or mentorship programmes for women to enhance their career path and last, campaigns about celebrating women employees.
Lubaina Sheerazi, CEO & Co-founder, BRANDit
“Women today have created a space for themselves and contributed significantly across sectors. It is important to have our opinions trusted and valued, even challenge the existing ones.”
MY INSPIRATION is tough to choose from the many women I have been inspired from. I have had the privilege of meeting many inspiring individuals in my professional andpersonal journey.As a lifelong learner, I believe in evolvinginto a better version of myself. My family has always inspired me to have integrity and facechallenges head-on. I believe it is important to lead your life with grit and be conscious ofyour core values to inspire yourself and others.
I BELIEVE women are empowered. Most of my team members at BRANDit are women, and we work together towards writingour success story. I have always maintained an open-door policy and believed that a goodleader should create a nurturing and respectful workspace for everyone regardless of theirgender.
WOMEN TODAY have come a long way as far as female workforce representation in tourism and hospitality is concerned. It is a continuous endeavour to forge a path that is unique to each but boosts the entire industry at the same time. Women today have created a space for themselves and contributed significantly across sectors. It is important to have our opinions trusted and valued, even challenge the existing ones.
ONE CHANGE: At BRANDit, our workspace, policy and structure give women the opportunity to thrive without having to compromise on their personal commitments. I have always welcome discussions, even if they are around difficult issues or outside of work. There is so much we can learn from each other if the channel of communication is transparent.
Komal Seth
Director, LinkIn Reps
“Don’t wait for opportunities to knock on your door – createthem. Do remember only YOU can be YOU. All we need to do is to celebrate one another in true spirit and hold hands when the need arises. Rest then will find its way to you.”
MY INSPIRATION: There are many things and people that inspire me. The person who has most greatly inspired me has been my parents. No matter how hard they worked, they always had a smile on their faces. It has been my parents who have walked with me through thick and thin. My parents taught me to see dreams and inspired me to strive for success. They always say nothing comes in your hand without hard work, believe in hard work, never lose hope in your life. Even though I can’t repay what they have done for me, I can at least make them happy with my success.
I BELIEVE in women empowerment. 70% of my workforce has always been women. Any comments, remarks, or jokes that make women uncomfortable have no place in an organisation. Women in my organisation have always been the focus of my growth strategies. Some companies fail to utilize the skills and opinions of their women employees to their full potential. It works wonders when you provide them with equal opportunities and appreciate their efforts
WOMEN TODAY: People can disregard what you say because of your age. But that’s part of the journey, you learn how to overcome it. People make assumptions about women very quickly. When you’re a young girl, people might assume your word isn’t worth anything. To overcome that, you must believe in yourself and what you’re doing. When people start being judgemental it’s all too easy to have it set you off course. My advice for women is to always back themselves up. Go into the room knowing you’ve done your research and knowing you’re well informed. Anywhere I’ve worked, one thing is common. When you have logic and what you say makes sense, you earn respect. When you come at something with logic, people will look past your age barrier or your gender.
ONE CHANGE: Organisations must promote and implement initiatives that enable women to actively engage and take on leadership roles at the grassroots level. There is a need to provide more chances and an encouraging environment for women to not just enter the workforce but also to succeed in their careers. These initiatives are already underway, and many companies are providing women with a healthy, flexible, and safe work environment.
Kanishka Khimani, Manager – Marketing & Communications Tourism Fiji
“Women are increasingly occupying managerial and leadership positions along with taking firm strides towards successful careers and making their mark prominent with their instincts and talents.”
MY INSPIRATION: I have had the good fortune to work with women across business roles, ages, backgrounds, and even different countries. I draw inspiration from the little things they do to make the world just a tad bit better for everyone around them. From our industry in particular, I consider Tourism Fiji’s APAC Regional Director, Ms. Kathy Koyamaibole, to be that one person I take tremendous inspiration from. She is a perfect example of a mentor who leads by example and gets the best out of me.
Aside from the industry, the most impactful women in my life are the working mothers I’ve met. Mothers who have carved out a career for themselves while being perfectly imperfect with their partners and children There are so many such inspirational women around me, and I love watching and learning from each of them.
I BELIEVE the biggest thing we women tend to do is, be kind towards each other. I realise now, looking back, that most of my conversational interactions with my colleagues & industry peers had an underlying layer of understanding – understanding what they’re going through, understanding how we manage our responsibilities. I’d like to believe that I’ve also helped in the same way. Small things like voicing the need for flexi-hours all for working women in my workplace did surely help. I have also challenged myself to be the best version of a working mom, trying to break the stereotype advocating maternity to be a speed bump to a woman’s career progression.
WOMEN TODAY are stepping into the industry in good numbers and their contribution to the sector has increased remarkably in the recent years. Although the tourism sector is considered as an attractive industry that sees women workforce across levels, their involvement had been understated in management and leadership roles. However, this scenario is changing now as women in the travel industry are now taking up major roles. Women are increasingly occupying managerial and leadership positions along with taking firm strides towards successful careers and making their mark prominent with their instincts and talents.
ONE CHANGE: My work environment is comprised of 70% women, and I am blessed to have an environment where there’s gender parity. I would love to enable empowering all women in my workplace by finding ways to amalgamate personal passions & strengths with their role & career. I believe initiatives like this will provide opportunities to make a difference while enjoying what we do.
Sara Sondhi, Country Head – India and UAE Finland Tourism
“Women employees in international MNC’s these days are offered additional pay to take care of child day care expenses while some organizations even offer easy access to day cares in office complex itself. I think in our sector no one even thinks on these lines.”
MY INSPIRATION: A women’s journey that has inspired me a lot is Lisa Ray. Her book “Close to the Bone” shares Ray’s inspiring story of living her nomadic life to the fullest on her own terms, fighting her personal wars and emerging as a winner. A cancer survivor,.46 years old Lisa Ray become a mother to 2 beautiful girls. The actor had to go through some testing times, and her journey and resolution have been an inspiration. After battling multiple myeloma, a Lisa Ray managed to come out as a winner. She even took the help of the surrogacy method and was gifted with two daughters. Despite going through all this, she still managed to stay ‘free and unfiltered’ with her radiant beauty and inspired all her female fans about how they needed to know their worth as a woman.
I BELIEVE I am blessed to be a part of an International Organization like Business Finland. Women in Finnish Organizations enjoy a very “high degree of equality & respect”. In 1906, the women of Finland became the first women in Europe to be granted the right to vote. Taking office at the age of 34, Sanna Marin is the youngest person to hold the office in Finnish history, as well as the world’s fourth-youngest state leader. Finland has been awarded accolades such as the 3rdmost gender-equal country in the world (The Global Gender Gap, 2017), 2nd best country in the world to be a girl (Save the Children, Girl’s Opportunity Index, 2016), Mother’s wellbeing rated 2nd best in the world (Save the Children, 2016) which clearly highlights how well they take care of women. Naturally the same work culture flows in BF offices around the World wherein we are offered a lot of flexibility, respect and opportunities.
WOMEN TODAY in the Indian tourism and hospitality sector still have a long way to go. Over my years of experience with various organizations in this sector, I have realized that roles offered to women, opportunities have certainly improved but the flexibility as mothers, home care’ers, women is negligible. Women employees in international MNC’s these days are offered additional pay to take care of child day care expenses, some organizations even offer easy access to day cares with special deals in the office compound itself. I think in our sector no one even thinks on these lines of how new mothers can be supported and encouraged to continue working. Very few women are in leadership positions and still the industry is quite dominated by men.
Rashmi Pradhan, Engagement Manager, T&A Consulting
“It’s time that we change the mindset and give due credit to Women. Acceptance is the key. Our so-called patriarchal society fails to accept that men and women are equal and, many a times women outperform men.”
MY INSPIRATION: With over one and a half decade of experience in the travel and tourism industry I feel every person I have met during this journey has inspired me. I have learnt something from every person I have come across and interacted with. At the end it’s all about learning and unlearning things. I strongly believe that every person who comes in your life has something to teach you, it depends upon you how you perceive the person and learn from him or her. My inspiration, my role model, my ideal is my Father. What inspires me the most in him is his helpful nature. Whoever comes to him, he will help him or her selflessly. It doesn’t matter to him whether the person seeking help is a friend or family. If a person has sought help from my father, rest assured he will do his best to help him/her. In fact, he does take initiative to help people and I have seen him going out of his way to help people. I have never seen a single soul leaving his door emptyhanded or sad. I strive to do the same in my personal and professional life. I always try to deliver more than I have promised.
I BELIEVE: I’m proud to be associated with T&A Consulting where the workplace is women friendly. There is no compromise on women safety and security. We have a POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) policy in place and an internal committee to address the complaint. Given that incidence of cervical and breast cancer is increasing, I would like to organize a health check-up for women employees every year so that problems can be detected early.
WOMEN TODAY: At T&A Consulting, 60% of the work force is woman and majority of the leadership positions are governed by women. The work culture has been such that efforts and hard work of women employees are acknowledged and rewarded.In the industry (travel and tourism) there are women who are decision-makers, women leading and spearheading the entire show. But there is no denying that there are organisations where women are not given equal respect although equal amount of work is being allocated to them as their male counterpart. Many a times male counterpart or male bosses conveniently ignore and do not acknowledge the efforts put in by female employees. Women had to put in double hard work and efforts to prove their worth as they juggle between office and home and it’s disheartening to see that their efforts are not recognised. It’s time that we change the mindset and give due credit to them. Acceptance is the key. Our so-called patriarchal society fails to accept that men and women are equal and, many a times women outperform men.
ONE CHANGE: If given an opportunity I would like to introduce a crèche facility in the office. Women employees who don’t have any suitable arrangements for kids at home can get them to office and can work at ease. This will also help to increase productivity as they don’t have to worry about the kids at home and rush back home to take care of them.
Shubhangi Chitre, Director,
BTFL Travel
“It is time society understands that a career in tourism and hospitality is respectful and though the career may demand late working hours, it continues to remain important. This is the basic requirement and nature of the job.”
MY INSPIRATION: Well in life you come across many women who inspire you for different reasons and in different situations. Some for their leadership, some for their sense of planning and others for reflection a quality work life balance. However, no matter how cliched it may sound, my inspiration continues to be my mother. She is the one who taught me the importance of finance independence, which I firmly feel every girl should have knowledge off. Financial knowledge and financial independence is the key.
I BELIEVE: As a woman who heads a company, I ensure my team gets the respect they deserve and I am also sensitive to their needs when it is justified.
WOMEN TODAY are certainly getting there but we can do so much better. It is time society understands that a career in tourism and hospitality is respectful and though the career may demand late working hours it is the job requirement also the basic requirement and nature of the job. Organisations today have definitely evolved and are giving women the place they deserve. But this is just the beginning.
ONE CHANGE which is needed today is – equal pay for equal work.
Akanksha Garg, Founder,
Waxpol Hotels
“Even during our busiest times of the year, we encourage the women who work with us to take time off to pursue their education and further their careers. Maintaining a secure environment is a top priority.”
MY INSPIRATION: “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” -Coco Chanel… My mother has always been and will always be the most impressive and admirable women in my life. When we were young, she was the first in our family to venture out on her own to further her studies and specialise in interior design, and she immediately began working independently on projects in order to establish her own sense of worth. She spent time with us and took care of the house without letting anything slide, not even her job. This level of multitasking is great, but we only appreciate the efforts she made to prepare us for the future when it is too late. The traditional approach of getting daughters married off and expecting them to stay at home as housewives, which is also a lot of hard work that goes unrecognised, needs to be replaced by parents like her who encourage their daughters to pursue careers and succeed, knowing they have their parents’ unconditional support. Mom paved the way for me, and now more than ever, women need the encouragement of their mothers, grandmothers, and other female relatives in order to continue gaining independence and strength. Education is more than a label; it’s a means to unlocking your full potential and heading for the stars.
I BELIEVE: Some of the measures we’ve made to make our company more female-friendly and accommodating: Women who work for our company and care for children or elderly parents can choose their own schedules. On days when they need to tend to their homes, they can work remotely. They’re involved in every aspect of running the resort, from management to frontline service. Even during our busiest times of the year, we encourage the women who work with us to take time off to pursue their education and further their careers. Maintaining a secure environment is a top priority.
WOMEN TODAY make up for the majority of the tourism industry’s workforce, yet they are disproportionately represented in low-paying, low-status occupations despite the industry’s prominence as one of the world’s greatest employers. Salary equity and gender parity are still not top priorities in this sector. By elevating the hospitality sector to the status of an industry and providing women in the sector with resources like internships and funding for professional development, we can better encourage female entrepreneurs to enter the sector. Women in the north-east and central regions of India provide for their family by opening small MSMEs, souvenir, handicraft, and food businesses to cater to tourists. There needs to be recognition of their work.
ONE CHANGE: A company is truly gender-sensitive when it employs a significant number of women, promotes an environment at work that is welcoming to women, and helps women advance their careers without emulating a man’s way of working. I firmly believe that creating a positive work environment motivates and engages employees leading to higher job satisfaction and employee retention. Considering this and using the COVID downtime, we as an organization decided to give all genders equal opportunities to get promotions, raises and help everyone in developing their leadership skills along with providing them the resources and support system they need to achieve success. This will not only enable women employees to perform better but be more inclined to share ideas for organisations and self-growth.
Nidhi Gupta, Director, Numen Hospitality
“I think hospitality is incomplete without the touch of the woman. Most of the hospitality companies realise this and are thus keeping a benchmark of equal 50-50 strength of male vs female.”
MY INSPIRATION: I have lot of people who inspired me at different times. There are lot of ladies in hospitality sector who inspire me every day. But somewhat the person who still keeps inspiring me is Sudha Murthy. Though she is not from the hospitality sector, she inspires me always on how to manage the professional life, family life, personal life, social life & keep your creative alive. She came from a very modest background, worked and achieved the best the life can offer. I think she is the best mother who taught her kids the true values of life, stood with the husband through thick & thin to create the Infosys empire what it is today with a very humble beginning with ten thousand rupees. She is a great social worker, philanthropist, participated in rural development efforts, supported the movement to provide government schools with computer and library facilities, and established Murthy Classical Library of India at Harvard University. She started writing after the age of 50, and has written many inspiring books, such as The Mother I Never Knew, Three thousand stitches, How “I taught my Grand Mother to read “. I think I am deeply inspired from her.
I BELIEVE: Numen Hospitality is truly a women centric company. Not to be biased, I was clear with my thought that a woman understands hospitality sector best. I think they are more sincere towards their work, family, kids, time management and also towards the clients. Our new office in Bangalore is led by Manisha Misra, another eminent hospitality expert with over 20 years of experience. We are a female dominated organization that loves working together as a team. We understand that everything cannot be fixed instantly and thus should be done as per priority but never leave unattended – that’s our philosophy.
WOMEN TODAY: I think hospitality is incomplete without the touch of the woman. Most of the hospitality companies realise this and are thus keeping a benchmark of equal 50-50 strength of male vs female. Lot of Talent Managers have been given this as a part of their KRAs. I think this is a great step to woman empowerment, recognition and respect.
ONE CHANGE: As mentioned, we are a very flexible company, highly agile and adaptable. As everything has a scope of improvement and upgradation, I am already working to create a fitness centre in my office in order to make fitness a habit. I personally believe that health is more precious than wealth.
Taruna Soni, Marketing Head
InterGlobe Technology Quotient
“We as a society have learnt to accept that respecting women at work is essential for a thriving workplace. Their opinion contributes to the inclusive and nurtured environment which is vital for the better functioning of an organisation or industry.”
MY INSPIRATION: Great capabilities and good decision-making carves the best of leadership and the leader I look at is Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman who is the epitome of knowledge and passion. She is a visionary and leading the nation towards new heights despite all challenges on her way. Dealing with controlled and focused mindset is an ability of a mindful and empowered leader. My inspiration from her is making decisions with conviction, and jab to it, as doubt is a killer in certainty.
I BELIEVE: We at ITQ, believe in the power of equality that suppresses the limit of acceptability for any gender differences. In order to disregard the barrier of gender discrimination, we provide equal opportunity to all employees irrespective of their gender, caste or persona. Besides, we have achieved 30% of women workforce and determined to strengthen it further by taking specific interventions of introducing special women hiring drives as well as learning and development programs for upskilling the existing workforce. Furthermore, as an organization we understand the responsibilities and health issues of a woman post pregnancy, thus, have extended special work from home options for new mothers to help them take care of their health and newly borns.
WOMEN TODAY: We as a society have learnt to accept that respecting women at work is essential for a thriving workplace. Their opinion contributes to the inclusive and nurtured environment which is vital for the better functioning of an organisation or industry. Considering safety concerns and eliminating any sorts of discomfort, we have set up a dedicated compliance committee for ASH (Anti-Sexual Harassment) to mitigate any behavioural or interpersonal trepidations, ensuring the workplace is environment friendly irrespective of the gender. In the travel and tourism industry, we have a great example of Mrs. Jyoti Mayal’s election as the TAAI President for the current term, voted by the industry male/female colleagues.
ONE CHANGE: The majority of tourism workforce worldwide is female, which is 54% of the total workforce and this norm is no exception at ITQ. We have been able to maintain a healthy diversity ratio for us at 30%, having women personnel across all levels and most of them are spear-heading a significant function in ITQ. In addition, we build awareness around gender equality as well as correct behaviour and work practice through our internal trainings for the employees.
Deepika Khanna, Founder and CEO, AANCHOR DESTINATION
“Women in today’s world are playing multiple roles, managing work, travel, business, family and kids. We do not need tag of a Super Women. What is needed is infrastructure to make it more conducive.”
MY INSPIRATION is my mother Suman Mehra, who at an age of 55 years, where most people retire, has stepped out from being a homemaker into the shoes of a businesswomen. With a strong presence of mind, she has achieved most inspiring and upcoming lady entrepreneur award in a very short span of time.
I BELIEVE: We are a small team mainly of all women in our company and the environment is friendly and we have built strong values over the years making each women team feel integrated as a family in the company.
WOMEN TODAY:I truly think and believe that our travel industry has given women its due respect and importance. It’s quite evident from the large portfolios be it airlines, hospitality, tourism body or running a tour operator or DMC women are running successfully and are leading the workforce behind them.
ONE CHANGE: Women in today’s world are playing multiple roles, managing work, travel, business, family and kids. We do not need tag of a Super Women. What is needed is infrastructure to make it more conducive for odd hours job like shifts in airlines or hospitality, generosity in Maternity leaves pays which is lacking in travel industry, more flexibility in maintain work life balance.
Shalini KJ, Travel Curator
“As women, we are blessed to be able to multi-task and most of us manage that really well! Every woman is inspiring in their own wonderful way. Humility, integrity and compassion towards others inspire me the most.”
MY INSPIRATION: It would be unfair to name one woman, there are so many fabulous women donning multiple hats as wives, mothers, daughters, managing work, and being successful entrepreneurs juggling their duties beautifully. As women, we are blessed to be able to multi-task and most of us manage that really well! Every woman is inspiring in their own wonderful way. Humility, integrity and compassion towards others inspire me the most.
I BELIEVE in offering a highly conducive environment at our workplace and therefore, hybrid work module, maternity leave, menstrual leave policy and flexibility at the workplace are some of the options we provide for our team members. Giving them the comfort to manage their multiple roles in life and succeed in their careers simultaneously.
WOMEN TODAY:Thought processes are changing, we are all living in a progressive world, definitely I see women taking lead in all that they aspire to do and achieve immense success. Travel and hospitality used to be a male dominated arena long ago, but things have changed and now we have supremely successful leaders at the top who are women. We have some amazing entrepreneurs who are super successful with their companies.
ONE CHANGE:Having an equal number of men and women to work as a team and bond is something we aspire for.
Sheetal Munshaw,
Director – India, Atout France
“The travel and tourism industry has seen a predominant increase in the number of women at the workplace and also at the helm of things. I think that in our sector women are most definitely given respect, importance and opportunity.”
I BELIEVE: In our team of 7, we are 6 women making for a formidable women driven workforce. Weare all largely attuned and in sync with each other from the emotional perspective. Aswomen, we all tend to address our feelings and emotions and I am always available formy team whenever anyone has felt the need for a chat. I am compassionate to theirsituations – personal or professional – and I do adapt and adjust to my maximum possibleshould that be required.
WOMEN TODAY: The travel and tourism industry has seen a predominant increase in the number of women at the workplace and also at the helm of things. This phenomenon can be observed across all verticals including aviation, tourism boards, the hospitality industry and allied industries. This phenomenon clearly breaks the stereotypical perception of gender-based roles and indicates that talent and efficiency is the mainstay in the selection process. Women are natural leaders with their keen eye for detail, their ability to personalize and their ability to empower their subordinates with responsibilities. I think that in our sector women are most definitely given respect, importance and opportunity based on their skill sets and ambition.
ONE CHANGE: At Atout France women have place of pride and we have a very strong ratio of women in the organisation. Stating with our CEO, our heads of Marketing, Human Resources, Corporate Communications are all women. We have women in leading roles across the globe. It is indeed a very conducive environment for women and am delighted to be part of an organisation that is very women friendly across the board.
Alpa Jani,
CEO & Founder, Ace Connect
“In recent years, the service-oriented industries have seen a significant increase in women’s leadership roles in all aspects of travel. From aviation to hospitality, women are now taking charge and making a significant impact.”
MY INSPIRATION: In my career, I have been fortunate to work with many women bosses –NilooferPatel at South African Airways, Suzanne Pereira at Thomas Cook and Hanneli Slabber at South African Tourism.One woman who stands out to me as a constant source of inspiration is Hanneli Slabber. I had the privilege of working with her for over 7 years, and I was always struck by her passion and commitment towards her job. She is someone who puts her heart and soul into everything she takes up, and her dedication to her work is truly inspiring.
Another woman who has been a mentor to me since the beginning of my career is Suzanne Pereira. She has taught me the art of negotiating and how to interact with respect across all levels. Her encouragement and guidance have inspired me to aim high and strive for success.
From Niloofer, I have learnt the art of balancing, which every woman strives to achieve.
On the personal front, my greatest inspiration comes from my mother, who has always been a gentle but incredibly strong woman. She has shown me that with unwavering resolve and determination, anything is possible.
As a female entrepreneur, I am passionate about creating a world where more women can find the kind of inspiration and support that I have found in these amazing women.
I BELIEVE: in creating a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and empowering for women. At Ace Connect, I have taken several steps to achieve this goal, including striving to create an all-women’s team.I think that women are expected to excel in all aspects of their lives, including as mothers and wives, and I want to be the kind of entrepreneur who encourages them to find a balance between work and home. This is especially important in today’s world, where the pandemic has made it easier to work from home and prioritize our personal lives.I do my best to live up to this quote, ‘Real queens fix each other’s crowns’ especially in the competitive world that we live in. I strongly believe that women are more powerful when they work together and build each other up.
WOMEN TODAY: Travel, tourism and hospitality sectors are service-oriented industries that are heavily reliant on the skills that women bring to the table. From customer service to managing logistics, women have always played a crucial role in this industry. I think the contribution has always been recognized and valued, and it’s heartening to see that.
In recent years, the service-oriented industries have seen a significant increase in women’s leadership roles in all aspects of travel. From aviation to hospitality, women are now taking charge and making a significant impact. This trend is not just limited to individual companies but is also visible in industry associations and the entire fraternity.
ONE CHANGE: As a working woman I strongly feel that menstrual leave is a crucial step towards creating a more women-friendly workplace. As I mentioned earlier, women are expected to juggle multiple roles in their personal and professional lives, and the added stress of menstruation can often take a toll on their physical and mental health.I feel, by introducing menstrual leave, companies can show their female employees that their well-being is valued. It’s not just about providing a day off, but also about creating a culture of openness and inclusivity where women feel comfortable discussing their health concerns with their colleagues and managers.
Some private companies in countries like India, France, and Australia already offer period leave, and I believe more companies should come forward and do it.
But I think industries and countries should go beyond recognising menstrual leave. I think it will make a huge difference if it’s nationally recognised across workplace policies for women. Just recently, on 16 February, Spain became the first country in the EU to pass a law to introduce paid menstrual leave. Other countries in Asia like Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and Vietnam are already doing so. And, it goes without saying that Ace Connect is already in favour of giving menstrual leaves.
Anjum Lokhandwala, Director Ark Reps
“Women today have touched new heights of success in every field with their capabilities. They are challenging the stereotypes and becoming financially independent. Today women are not only travellers but owners of tourism businesses.”
MY INSPIRATION is my mother. She inspires me in more ways than one. She taught me how important financial independence was for a woman. She knew I was flawed, “That’s the fun of life” she said. You make mistakes, learn from them, you fall get up but never give up.
I BELIEVE: Family is given utmost priority in our office and our woman colleagues have the option of working from home along with fulfilling their family duties.
WOMEN TODAYhave touched new heights of success in every field with their capabilities. They are challenging the stereotypes and becoming financially independent. Today women are not only travellers but owners of tourism businesses.
Ekta Watts, Director, Equator Tours
“The contribution of women in the tourism industry has increased significantly, owing to the increased recognition and appreciation given to their work. Women in power are empowering other women and helping them to take up different jobs to support themselves.”
MY INSPIRATION: In every sector of the country there are great women leaders who inspire me every day. Not only women leaders but every woman working at their homes or any office at different levels. The ability of a woman to balance their professional and personal lives is always inspiring the future generations. In the travel and tourism industry, efforts of women to revive the industry after a pandemic and make the trade a sustainable one is praiseworthy. Every woman is trying to pull the strings of trade and helping other women to gain the same respect and importance. It is the time where we all should come together and encourage women participation so that every sector, every person and every organisation recognises the efforts and handwork of a woman.
Women’s participation in the workforce has been significantly increasing throughout recent years Be it the company culture, policy, or facility, creating a women-friendly work environment goes beyond jargon and requires everyone’s best intentions.
I BELIEVE: It is important to get everyone in your office to understand the importance of seeing women as equal to men when it comes to participation in work. Women are not just ‘nice-to-have’ in the office as they can give a ‘woman’s touch’ to lessen conflict or make work more satisfying. Above all, women deserve equal treatment and opportunity. In order to make a women friendly environment It is also important to give a secured and safe environment, so make sure that you have surveillance cameras and security staff in and team building activities around the workplace. It is necessary to appreciate your female staff in the office so that a sense of equality is spread. To create a more women friendly environment, I have given my women staff a leverage to work from home once a week. As a woman entrepreneur I have tried to make a pan India women network to further empower the rural woman through pilot projects and training.
WOMEN TODAY: The contribution of women in the tourism industry has increased significantly, owing to the increased recognition and appreciation given to their work. Women in power are empowering other women and helping them to take up different jobs to support themselves. The tourism industry has the potential to incorporate women as it provides various entry points for women’s employment and opportunities for creating self-employment in small and medium sized income generating activities. Looking at the tourism industry, majority of women are given due respect and importance, however there are still some women who require our support to uplift their status and gain the same respect. There is a need for all women to come together and stand up for the same motto to help and empower each other in every possible way.
ONE CHANGE: One needs to understand that to incorporate more and more women in the organisation and Building women friendly workplaces requires us to bring a change in the work structure. Constructing hybrid workplaces is one such change that I would like to bring in my organisation. This will offer them an incredible chance to interact with other female professionals and entrepreneurs as well as offer a space to feel motivated, comfortable and productive. Hybrid workplaces will provide women with an opportunity to manage and balance both work and home.
Monia Kapoor, Jt. Secretary – OTOAI & CEO, Travel O Holidays
“I am inspired by the many female travellers who go out into the world, explore new cultures and experiences, and share their stories. They are a reminder that anything is possible, and that the world is filled with endless possibilities.”
MY INSPIRATION: When I think of inspiring women in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, I think of all the female entrepreneurs I have come across who have taken their passion and used it to create successful businesses. These women have persevered through the challenges of starting a business and created something that provides employment and opportunity to many people, and that is truly inspiring.
I also admire female leaders in the industry who have been able to break barriers and take on positions of power and influence. Their determination and success is something thatinspires me and encourages me to continue striving for excellence in my own career. Finally, I am inspired by the many female travellers who go out into the world, explore newcultures and experiences, and share their stories. They are a reminder that anything ispossible, and that the world is filled with endless possibilities.
I BELIEVE: As a woman entrepreneur, I have always felt the need and worked towards implementingmore flexible policies around maternity leave, work-life balance, flexible working hours andwork from home options for my all-women’s team. This healthy work relationship hashelped us retain talented and experienced women who add value to our organization.
WOMEN TODAY are being given their due respect and importance at the workplace, especially in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector. However, there is always room for improvement, and more can be done to ensure that all genders are valued, treated equally and do believe that by continuing to push for equality and representation, we can definitely make a positive change in the industry.
Neeti Sharma, Director, Intrepid Marketing & Communications
“It is a moment of both celebration and pride to see how far we have come as an industry. A lot of tourism boards, hospitality brands, media and travel agencies have women spearheading their organisations.”
MY INSPIRATION: It is quite difficult to choose just one from my list of role models but if I had to pick my personal favourite, it has to be Indra Nooyi, the former CEO and Chairperson of PepsiCo. She has been an inspiration to me for various reasons and especially for her vigour to be an industry leader in a male dominated industry. I have been closely following her work and have listened to most of her interviews, read her articles and authored pieces, which are a true reflection of the visionary that Ms. Nooyi is. She has undoubtedly created an impressionable legacy of learnings and experiences for those that dare to dream and challenge to lead.
I BELIEVE: As a woman, no matter how progressive your family is, there are unprecedented responsibilities that one has to shoulder as they balance their career and personal pursuits. I understand that we fulfil multiple roles besides a work designation and it is only fair that we support each other in both our professional and personal endeavours.
Intrepid Marketing and Communications empowers its workforce by providing flexibility of time and location wherein they can operate remotely as per their personal requirements. We maintain and promote an inclusive culture across all designations which doesn’t demand completion ofminimum work hours or physically reporting to office daily. The liberty from a stringent corporate infrastructure has in turn proven to increase efficiency amongst female employees.
WOMEN TODAY: It is a moment of both celebration and pride to see how far we have come as an industry. A lot of tourism boards, hospitality brands, media and travel agencies have women spearheading their organisations and creating history with their disruptive work. Travel andtourism sector has seen a phenomenal hike in terms of women recruits across designations and I believe this is only the beginning.
ONE CHANGE: I think in India a lot of women discontinue their career after marriage or after bearing a child and sometimes, not willingly. As an industry, we can strive to create a more accommodating environment for women to take career breaks and encourage them to rejoin after few years as per their convenience. They can be easily retained and provided vocational trainings or programs to resume their work seamlessly without having to completely quit careers. This is not just a great step to empower women in the industry but also a sustainable recruitment technique for companies.
Bhavi Karvat, Co-founder & Head – People, Performance & Culture, Asego
“There is always scope for further improvement in terms of introducing policies that generate more opportunities for them. The consistent progress that women have been making in the travel and tourism sector is a clear reflection of the respect they command in the industry.”
MY INSPIRATION: The Indian Travel Trade and Hospitality sector has always admired and cherished numerous women leaders who have spearheaded their respective businesses with grit, determination, and passion for what they do. I particularly look up to Ms. Veena Patil for her fearless, dynamic and passionate attitude. She has been relentlessly working towards transforming the way people perceive travel for over three decades, which is truly inspiring. Outside the travel sector, our honourable President Draupadi Murmu’s life journey and dedication towards strengthening the democratic values of our country has been nothing short of inspirational.
I BELIEVE: We as an organisation inherently believe and practice workplace equality. I personally get involved in defining and deploying policies and practices related to people management focusing on approachability and the duty of care, especially for our women employees. We follow a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to harassment of any kind in our workplace, and my husband and I are very passionate about this. As a team, we actively promote a positive and comfortable work atmosphere for all our employees. I consider it as my responsibility to ensure that there are no disparities in providing equal benefits to all – be it maternity / paternity related benefits, workplace ethics or remuneration.
WOMEN TODAY: As is the case across industries, recent years have seen a steady growth in women’s contribution to the travel and hospitality sector. Unlike earlier times when women were largely underrepresented in management and leadership roles, today women in the industry are defying gender prejudices and assuming leadership roles with elegance. This explains why the travel and tourism sector has seen a steady rise in the number of women working at top levels in the past decade.
However, there is always scope for further improvement in terms of introducing policies that generate more opportunities for them. The consistent progress that women have been making in the travel and tourism sector is a clear reflection of the respect they command in the industry.
ONE CHANGE: As an organisation, we have always been conscious of maintaining a gender-inclusive work environment. Whether it is our pay structure or work policies, we are constantly striving to ensure that every employee’s hard work and sincerity is equally rewarded, regardless of their gender. But, at the same time we are always on the look out to innovate by finding new ways to empower and support our women workforce.
Parinita Samanta, Director – Marketing & Communication
Pullman and Novotel New Delhi Aerocity
“I think equality comes when we focus on creating the same opportunities for everyone, regardless of their gender, race or caste. So rather than making female friendly work structures, I think we should holistically formulate a working system which is flexible.”
MY INSPIRATION: My inspiration is no one other than my mother. As a young growing girl, I have learned so much from her and most of my managerial skills being a hospitality professional has come from her. The way my mother single-handedly completed multiple tasks during my childhood was a realisation point for me that you can be everything, all at once. For this very reason embedded in me since an early age, I think each lady has a unique voice and women in the hospitality industry are fiercely dedicated.
I BELIEVE: I have always endorsed women power and given any chance I take all efforts in training the younger generation of ladies in becoming better future leaders. Pullman New Delhi with its female staff of 100 women serves as a retreat workplace for the employees. We have recently done a campaign called “Own The Show – Everything all at Once” which aims to celebrate the incredible strength and resilience of each woman. By spreading the message of – Why be one, when you can be many things, the campaign highlights women as multitasking leaders in the society.
WOMEN TODAY: Hospitality industry is a forerunner in the growth for the service sector of the country and is a bedrock of all tour and travel activities. It generates huge employment opportunities and especially women are seen at some of the key roles in this business. Women in the hospitality industry are appreciated for their managerial skills and instincts to understand the wants and needs of different guests. So, I would definitely say that the hospitality business welcomes women staff with open arms and gives them the opportunity to reach heights.
ONE CHANGE: I think equality comes when we focus on creating the same opportunities for everyone, regardless of their gender, race or caste. So rather than making female friendly work structures, I think we should holistically formulate a working system which is flexible and caters to the needs of each employee. The idea behind this is simply to create a society where women are not questioned on their abilities in comparison to men.
Akansha Vij, Marketing & PR Manager
WelcomHeritage Hotels
“The hospitality industry is playing an important part in attracting women into the workforce by providing equal opportunities in every department and within managerial positions which were earlier mostly dominated by men.”
I BELIEVE: Women have already proven their equality with men at workplaces, breaking barriers and stereotypes and making significant and noteworthy progress. They have established that gender equality in workplaces depends upon opportunities that are influenced by several factors such as education, society and culture, as opposed to gender-capabilities. Recognising this, companies now-a-days are adopting a more women-friendly approach – many steps have been initiated to ensure that women in our society are encouraged to be a part of the expanding workforce. We at WelcomHeritage believe that these simple and yet crucial steps could be he pillars for a deep and meaningful change:
- We have focused on leadership gender balance, enabling us to reduce gender gap at management level, with 60% Women HODs in the organisation.
- We believe in paying for performance with clear reward policies and are committed to equal pay for equal work.
- We recruit women on all departmental levels for the equal contribution throughout the organisation.
- Strict policies against harassment have been established with a dedicated POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee.
- We have flexible working hours to make work-life balance a priority that benefits both men and women.
ONE CHANGE: Today, more and more companies, including our organization, are ensuring that initiatives and measures are in place to promote a women–friendly and gender-balanced work environment. With these effective measures being adopted by the hospitality industry as well, women have begun demonstrating their leadership abilities in the industry, with many now serving in executive and senior management roles. Besides playing a key role in advancing workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion, women have been instrumental in driving positive change in many organizations – their perspectives and approach can be quite different from their male counterparts as they are shaped by their experiences of society and culture, this has proven to be quite valuable to companies.
Rubina Sharma, Director of Sales & Marketing Eros Hotel New Delhi Nehru Place
“Internally we have ensured that the policies that are made need to be “dynamic” in the sense that they can be “adjusted based on the feedback that is frequently collected”, and adaptable to the “emerging needs” of the workplace.”
MY INSPIRATION: I am a huge fan of Shirin Batliwala, VP Food and Beverage at Taj Hotels. She entered the hotel industry in 1971 when women were only hired in housekeeping. She climbed the corporate ladder with her sheer hard work and determination.Her trade secret – there is no substitute for dedication and hard work. As she says “Any job done well can be done better” Ultimately, it is aiming for perfection that makes all the difference. This is what inspires me the most in her.
I BELIEVE: Internally we have ensured that the policies that are made need to be “dynamic” in the sense that they can be “adjusted based on the feedback that is frequently collected”, and adaptable to the “emerging needs” of the workplace.
WOMEN TODAY: I personally feel that women have touched the new heights of success in every sector by their capabilities even Govt. of India has made many efforts of women employment for improve their financial and social status by safe working in every sector as government and private. India is expected to be the second fastest growing nation in the world, with tourism industry being one of the major employers of women, offering various job opportunities. Since the travel and tourism industry is the fastest growing industry in India for foreign exchange earnings and generating millions of jobs every year. In this context this industry is one of the major employers of women, offers various job opportunities for independent income generating activities.
The certain Skills which are responsible for the growth of women in tourism industry are:
- Social, sensitive and beautiful personality.
- Dressing sense and attractiveness.
- Adjustable and co-operative in nature
- Responsive and hardworking.
- Customer handing and caring.
- Strong communication skills etc.
ONE CHANGE: Having an imbalanced gender ratio is an issue that exists in many hotels, some of which are heavily and unfairly misrepresented due to the predetermined and sexist social norms of the past. Combatting this major issue is one of the ways to ensure that your workplace is genuinely gender inclusive.
I feel that a great way to deal with this is problem is by focusing on the skillsets that are required to complete jobs, rather than industry experience. There is a real opportunity to identify the transferable skills required for the roles and recruit for those rather than the specific experiences required.
Vani Wadhwa, Marcom Manager, Hilton Garden Inn Saket, New Delhi
“Being the Presiding Officer of the ICC committee in the hotel, I also counsel women of my hotel often. I educate and enlighten our team members on unconscious bias and prejudices in enabling of equality in workplaces.”
MY INSPIRATION: My father, Mr. Satish Kr. Beri, has been an inspiration for me since my childhood days. Growing up, I could always feel the warmth of a thorough professional of the hospitality industry. My father was a hotelier and I’ve seen him working passionately every single day and that’s when I decided I wanted to pursue a career in this industry. As dramatic as it sounds but hospitality is in my blood. Being a General Manager in ITDC hotels in 1980’s was not an easy task. He used to share with me the kind of challenges that he would face almost every day to expand the industry, preach the values of “Atithi Devo Bhavo” to the foreign guests back then. There were men ruling the industry and I was told to never back down because I was a girl. His commitment towards his work, hunger for learning, warmth and respect for every individual guest, finesse in dressing & while communicating with people, being a strong leader to his team, inspired me in true sense and I, kind of, inherited & adopted those traits & habits over a period of time. These traits have shaped up my personality and made me a people’s person in true sense of the word. Here is where Hilton’s Vision also resonates with me of spreading the light and warmth of hospitality.
I BELIEVE: At Hilton, we not only focus on gender parity but also create platforms and inducive environments to ensure our female team members Thrive@Hilton. Very recently, Hilton India launched its flexibility program “It’s Ok” encouraging our team members to balance their personal lives as well. At Hilton, we not only care for the professional life of our team members but also care for their family commitments, personal time, personal ambitions and hobbies.
I have always tried to create a stable and safe (physically, financially and emotionally) working environment for my fellow employees. I am consciously working on enhancing the role of women in leadership and business strategy in the organisation with the help of my leadership team.
I have always been transparent and vocal about benefits of diversity in the workplace & how it leads to greater innovation & boosts employee engagement. I have always mentored my fellow employees and prepared them to meaningfully contribute to their respective roles.
Being the Presiding Officer of the ICC committee in the hotel, I also counsel women of my hotel often. I also educate and enlighten our team members on unconscious bias and prejudices in enabling of equality in workplaces.
WOMEN TODAY: Women are getting their due respect and becoming an integral part of management because of multiple reasons. Their bright hearted nature, ability to do multi-tasking coupled with a knack of handling people of varied nature and temperaments have made them become the face of many brands in our travel and hospitality sector.
Ques 4: If you were asked to change one thing about your work environment, work policy, work structure, in order to make it more women friendly, what would it be?
ONE CHANGE: Honestly saying and this the first time I can say there is nothing I would like to change in my work place as Hilton is one of the best brands to work with as I have myself experienced that it does give meaningful opportunities to its team members. The General Manager, Mr. Joyjit Chakravorty and Director of sales Mr. Vibhor along with other leaders, demonstrates highest level of sensitivity while communicating with fellow colleagues. As an institution, Hilton Garden Inn/New Delhi, Saket provides me a great work life balance and provides special development programs including but not limited to Women in Leadership program. It is indeed a woman friendly organisation as I have experienced myself.
Deepika Arora
Founder, Rosakue Hospitality
“I think we still have a long road ahead, but the change is visible and in the positive direction particularly in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector which are industries heavily dominated by men.”
MY INSPIRATION: There are many, but two women I would like to mention are Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space and Ronda Rousey an American Professional Wrestler. I am sharing two of their quotes that inspire me.
“Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination, never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” – Mae Jemison
“You have to fight because you can’t count on anyone else fighting for you. And you have to fight for people who can’t fight for themselves. To get anything of real value, you have to fight for it.”
– Ronda Rousey
I BELIEVE: Our workplace has a good balance of women team members, and it is an environment that is respectful, collaborative and one that encourages growth and progress both personally and professionally.
WOMEN TODAY: I think we still have a long road ahead, but the change is visible and in the positive direction particularly in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector which are industries heavily dominated by men.
Drishti Hatimuria, PR Manager,
ITC Grand Central, Mumbai
“Travel tourism and hospitality industry is diverse and is continuously evolving and there will be many more developments, and efficient approaches introduced such that women power only shines more with time.”
MY INSPIRATION: Honestly, there is not just one woman who has inspired me bright in my life, but there are many women and they all belong from various industries or are homemakers too.
With degrees such as B. Tech in Civil engineering, from R.V college of engineering in Bengaluru plus M.B.A in Communication Management (Advertising) from Symbiosis International university; I come from a non-hotelier background.
One thing, which inspired me most from women are their amazing multi-tasking capabilities. I believe this is mainly because women are amazing planners and they understand the need of prioritising tasks.
Whilst I am currently holding the office as the Public Relations Manager, in ITC Grand Central, Mumbai; I often draw great motivation from our President of India Smt. Draupadi Murmu.
I BELIEVE: In my current workspace we enjoy equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities by both genders. I feel proud to share that I belong to a beautiful #Responsibleluxury brand, wherein every measure is in place for the ladies who work here.
But one message I would definitely like to share here for all women who are reading this piece – Whatever we are and Whatever will be, it all begins in our mind. And nothing is impossible as long as we take care of ourselves. So, investing in one’s passion, health and holistic growth and development is essential on our own too.
I hold great passion for fitness, so every day dedicating 30 mins to my fitness rituals, makes me feel good and I feel not dependent on a work space to make me feel happy. Believe in staying independent.
WOMEN TODAY: Being a part of the responsible luxury brand and working for ITC Grand Central, Mumbai I can totally resonate with the way ever lady colleague is treated with immense respect, grace and equal importance. Travel tourism and hospitality industry is diverse and is continuously evolving and there will be many more developments, and efficient approaches introduced such that women power only shines more with time.
ONE CHANGE: In my current workspace, based on work policy, work structure and environment it is a gender equal space. And, I personally have witnessed amazing leaders and colleagues who are women and are great mentors. There is no such change that I would like to recommend.
Prachi Chaturvedi, Corporate Director – Marketing, Pride Hotels Group
MY INSPIRATION: Maharani Gayatri Devi – she is an epitome of grace, beauty, intelligence and a path breaker. Also, humble popular politician and a visionary. She was not a “people’s princess and a queen of poise” for no reason. Her sense of fashion is a university and at the same time, one cannot negate the fact that she fought against odds to ensure new education facilities are offered in women’s education system. The awesome mix of flamboyance, style, grace and defiance is extremely inspiring.
I BELIEVE: We, as a team have taken a few steps by advocating for gender diversity. We also encouraged other women to participate in leadership roles and mentoring programs and created a safe work environment for all other employees.
WOMEN TODAY: Yes, women, today are being given their due respect and importance in the workplace. Women are increasingly being hired as executives and managers in various departments, and are playing a vital role in the success of the industry as a whole.
Dulcie Gibson
GM – Sales Strategy, Ebix Cash
MY INSPIRATION: My inspiration in tourism industry is Ms. Taruna Seth Navigator In-chief Encompass, is an inspiring leader who has made significant contributions to the Luxury tourism industry. Her commitment to promoting sustainable tourism practices and advocating for women’s leadership has set a high standard for others to follow. Through her work as Navigator in-Chief of Encompass a\she has shown that individuals can make a positive impact on the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector. Taruna Seth’s dedication to sustainability, equality, and humanitarian causes serves as an inspiration to others in the tourism industry. Her work demonstrates the potential for individuals to make a positive impact and create a better future for all.
I BELIEVE: As a woman I have taken few initiatives to make my workplace more women friendly. We celebrate Women’s day as a special and make sure that women in my organisation feel safe in office environment.
WOMEN TODAY are being given equal opportunities, especially in the tourism sector, but we still have some catching up to do in other sectors.
ONE CHANGE: There would be few changes I would like to see, which in my opinion should be flexible work arrangements, equal pay and opportunities, avoid gender-based pay gaps and discrimination. Support should be extended to maintain work life balance and mentorship and networking opportunities should be offered.
Vandana Mathur,
Senior Member Sales Team
Sunrise Representations
MY INSPIRATION: There isn’t a single woman who inspires me but qualities from many women around me motivate me. These include Seniors, co-workers, Industry luminaries and many globe-trotting women from other fields whom I have known.
I BELIEVE: Yes I have incorporated a creche for children of employees in the workplace.
Maternity leave and allowance are also part of our women friendly policy.
WOMEN TODAY: There are definite changes in the travel and tourism industry especially with more of women traveling in groups and Solo as well. These trends are encouraging and specific packages are being designed keeping women travellers and their needs in mind.
ONE CHANGE: I would like to include a scheme which takes care of women ‘s health in mind. If possible, I would have a Lady Physician and Counsellor on board to make way for greater participation of happy women employees in the workforce.
Nisha Shrivastava
Founder, Sunrise Representations
MY INSPIRATION: My senior co-workers in the industry have always been my inspiration. They have been actively participating in various industry events, on the go and in the forefront. They have done some commendable work to maintain their self-identity, staying worthy and relevant.
I BELIEVE:The work from home option has been given to women at my workplace which gives them an advantage of balancing their home and work life. The condition remains to complete the tasks on time with equal enthusiasm to achieve company’s goals.
WOMEN TODAY: Many representation companies, travel agencies, wedding planners are owned / headed by women only. They are given equal respect in their work environment.
ONE CHANGE: Encourage women to come forward, be given equal salaries and if possible be given cab facilities.
Sheema Vohra, Managing Director, Sartha Global Marketing
“So many successful women in our industry demonstrate that women are recognized and respected for their professional contributions. I think respect has to be earned, not given, and a lot depends on the individual concerned.”
MY INSPIRATION: I have many mentors both in the industry and outside. I have been fortunate to work with some fantastic individuals and professionals in my working life. At the University of Nevada Las Vegas, I had some outstanding professors who taught me the importance of relationships, networking, creative thinking and discipline. In the beginning of my career, I worked for Marriott hotels in the US and had two unique women bosses from whom I learnt compassion, efficiency, commitment to excellence and attention to detail. During my professional journey in India, I had a few more wonderful mentors who encouraged me to think out of the box, never give up, believe in your dreams, be a woman of substance, think independently and show empathy towards others.
I BELIEVE our workplace is women friendly as we believe in equal opportunity and do not practice any discrimination in hiring, promotions, and individual growth paths. Everyone is equal and promotions depend on performance, not gender. We have separate facilities for women, we have included little things that matter, like a well-lit full-length mirror.
WOMEN TODAY: So many successful women in our industry demonstrate that women are recognized and respected for their professional contributions. I think respect has to be earned, not given, and a lot depends on the individual concerned. I also think we have to move ahead instead of constantly looking for gender bias. Women bring so much to their work environment – including the ability to multi-task, show empathy, creativity, critical thinking, and commitment.
ONE CHANGE: As a majority of our team members are women, our office is quite women friendly. However, maybe a women’s changing room would be nice.
Aarushi Arora, Business Development Manager, Trulyy India Hotels, Resorts, Camps and Safaris
“Hospitality industry and travel and tourism industry both have become the largest employer of women in the current date. It is undeniable that women have excelled in the hospitality sector not only in India, but all over the world.”
MY INSPIRATION: I have had many people from different walks of life who have inspired me and motivated me I have grown up in seeing my father working and thriving in the travel and tourism industry and he’s the reason that I started gaining interest and my passion and love towards travel and tourism and I have been blessed to have the most supportive parents my mom always taught me to be independent and as a result I went for my first internship when I was only 19 and since then I have worked every single day of my life completing 3 degrees while I was still working and have extremely loved the journey.
There are a lot of case studies I have read but someone who’s story has brought that drive of ENTREPRENEURSHIP in me is ESTEE Lauder
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” —Estée Lauder
I BELIEVE: Women employees tend to bring a substantial amount of emotional intelligence to the organisation at all levels, as a result if you will find that 70% of my sales and Marketing team consist of women employees. There are lot of initiative that Trulyy India has taken to make workplace more women friendly: –
Flexible work timings:
Flexible work timings are especially a boon for women who must share a greater burden of domestic responsibilities. Such arrangements allow them an atmosphere of freedom and respect.
Supporting motherhood:
We can’t achieve gender parity at the workplace if we keep discriminating against motherhood.
In most cases, when a woman professional turns the family way, her career plateaus or she is forced to change to an alternate work profile. But in our organisations, we support our women employees with paid maternity leaves and also give them an option to work from home. It is important to underline here that maternity leave is an unquestionable right of every woman professional
Conversation and Training after a Maternity Leave
When new mothers are finally ready to come back after their maternity leaves, we make sure to provide them with sufficient time to have a conversation with the team.
It would help them understand all that has been going around and be sensitive about it.
More Women Leaders
At Trulyy India we aim at having women leaders that impart a sense of diversity following a top-down approach.
Anonymous Feedbacks
Sometimes, women don’t feel comfortable discussing a situation or talking about something that is troubling them. We Build a platform where women can share their views, highlight any issues, and suggest any ideas anonymously.
Zero Tolerance Policy
Any comments, remarks, or jokes that make women comfortable have no place in our organization. We provide a zero-tolerance policy and give an environment where women feel no hesitation reporting any misconduct or harassment.
WOMEN TODAY: Hospitality industry and travel and tourism industry both have become the largest employer of women in the current date. It is undeniable that women have excelled in the Hospitality sector not only in India, but all over the world. Hospitality business in India has traditionally hired women in various positions. As it’s a core service sector, women are considered as the biggest asset in this people-oriented industry. Looking at the status of an overwhelming majority of workers in the industry are women, various subjective cases throw the light on the fact that industries are also more inclined to fill a gender gap. Hotel companies value their female manpower and provide competitive starting salaries, regular incentives, recognition, and many other lucrative benefits, Despite the avenues offered by the industry and the major advancements women have shown as a workforce, they were still facing challenges in their professional path. Some of the reasons which drifts women away from the job in the hospitality industry are the long inflexible working hours , career breaks because of motherhood, personal issues, stereotyping, lack of relevant training, lack of encouragement towards leadership and management programmes, overstress experienced with dependents‟ needs especially among the single or widowed mothers, lack of confidence and self-esteem, lack of motivation from employers and negligible relaxation on maternity leaves, etc. It becomes more challenging owing to demands which discourage women from taking up jobs in the industry. However, understanding the rising concerns of women, consideration is to be given on maintaining a flexible working environment, developing training, and mentoring programs, standardising the procedures, giving transparency in recruitment, performance appraisal & promotion criteria, applicability of policies in terms of equal gender pay, rewarding women by giving recognition and awards. Encountering the potential of female representatives as they are moving an extra mile in the service sector, these recommendations can somehow remove the practical obstacles of female participation in the hospitality workplace.
ONE CHANGE: Being head of Business Development department for my company there’s a whole era of change that we have brought in our organisation, and we pledge on making Trulyy India more and more diverse in terms of our employees, work policy, work structure to make it more women friendly. One thing that we are committed to do in our organisation is equal pay and no gender bias for leadership roles.
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