Women We Watch In Tourism

In the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality industry, sustainability has emerged as a crucial driver of progress and responsible development. As the world grapples with environmental challenges, the need to steer the hospitality sector towards eco-friendly practices has become more evident than ever before. Embracing sustainability not only preserves our planet's resources but also enhances guest experiences and fosters a deeper connection with communities. In this pursuit of a greener and more socially responsible future, the significance of women leaders cannot be underestimated. Women bring a unique perspective and innate nurturing qualities to the table, which are essential in driving the course towards sustainability. Their visionary leadership empowers businesses to adopt ethical practices, champion inclusivity, and create a positive impact on both local communities and the global environment. As we continue to embark on this transformative journey, let us celebrate and support more women leaders like Jessie Lim, who are dedicated to shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for the hospitality industry.  With over 18 years of experience in the tourism industry, both locally and overseas, Jessie's journey began in events management with Suntec before she spread her wings and worked in France for Liberty Incentives. Her career took her to the Singapore Tourism Board, where she played a pivotal role in supporting foreign MICE companies in setting up offices in Singapore. Jessie then delved into the hospitality industry, holding managerial positions in Catering Sales and Events Management for prestigious hotel groups like Accor, Park Hotel Group, and Hilton Hotels & Resorts. One of her proudest accomplishments was the successful pre-opening and re-branding of the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa.Throughout her career, Jessie's passion for sustainability led her to pursue a course in Sustainability and Sustainable Businesses at Singapore Management University. This dedication ultimately led her to create the role of Director of Sustainability within the operations team of Fairmont Hotels Singapore. Get ready to be inspired by her dedication to sustainability and her vision for a more inclusive and eco-conscious future in the world of tourism.In today's episode, we'll delve into :1) Jessie's remarkable journey from events management to becoming the driving force behind sustainable initiatives at The Fairmont. 2) We'll learn about the key sustainability projects that have been implemented at the hotel and the impact they've had on the environment and the community.3) We'll also gain insights into how Jessie engages both guests and staff to participate actively in The Fairmont's sustainability efforts. 4) We'll discuss the evolving role of women in leadership positions within the sector and the challenges and opportunities that come with it.  Jessie's contact details: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessiebureau/This podcast is jointly presented by:Dr. Nisha https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert, Co-founder of World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/Zinal Doshi, https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi   Founder of The Flapper Life: http://theflapperlife.com 

In this episode, I am honored to introduce our distinguished guest, the remarkable Joyatri Ray. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyatrirayAs the Director of Equitable Tourism Options (EQUATIONS), a prominent research, campaign, and advocacy organization based in India, Joyatri has dedicated her life to creating meaningful change in the tourism sector. With an illustrious career spanning an impressive 25 years, she has garnered invaluable insights into the intricate ways in which tourism profoundly influences the lives of local communities.At the heart of Joyatri's mission lies a passionate commitment to fostering people-centered forms of tourism that ensure substantial local benefits while responsibly addressing the negative impacts of the industry. Her work is characterized by close collaborations with various organizations and networks, all in pursuit of a shared vision - a tourism landscape that empowers communities, respects their rights, and promotes equitable growth.One of Joyatri's key areas of expertise centers around gender and child protection issues within travel and tourism. Throughout her career, she has been a relentless advocate for implementing POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) and child-safe practices, both within the private sector and the broader tourism industry. Furthermore, Joyatri Ray's remarkable achievements have been acknowledged and celebrated by the prestigious International Visitors Leadership Programme of the US State Department, cementing her status as a distinguished alumni member.Today, we have the privilege of delving deep into Joyatri's wealth of knowledge and experiences, exploring the challenges she has faced, the victories she has achieved, and the insights she has gained throughout her transformative journey.As we sit down with Joyatri Ray, we will uncover the power of tourism as a tool for positive change, how gender perspectives can shape tourism practices, and the importance of safeguarding the most vulnerable members of our society during travel and tourism experiences.In this episode, we discuss:1) Joyatri's perspectives on the relationship between tourism and local communities, particularly with regard to gender and child protection2) The Invisible Host and the Invisible Guest: Why women are invisible and victimized in tourism, and how women can be made equal participants in tourism  3) Equitable Tourism Options initiatives in driving and promoting people-centered forms of tourism. 4) Joyatri's work in integrating POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) and child protection mechanisms within the tourism sector5) Global best practices in enhancing sustainability and community engagement in the tourism industry in the Indian tourism industry This podcast is jointly presented by:Dr. Nisha https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert, Co-founder of World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/Zinal Doshi, https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi   Founder of The Flapper Life: http://theflapperlife.com Credit and appreciation to Jiiivan for editing the podcast episode.

Welcome to "Women We Watch in Tourism," Episode 2. In today's episode, we have the privilege of conversing with a remarkable pioneer in the field of wellness travel and human-centric marketing in tourism, Sahara Rose.With a passion for reshaping travel marketing strategies, Sahara advocates for a more human-centric approach that taps into the underlying reasons why people travel. Gone are the days of simply selling destinations and hotel features. Sahara believes in addressing the deeper motivations behind travel, such as healing, coping, escapism, personal growth, cultural exploration, and reconnecting with nature. By infusing these aspects into marketing efforts, Sahara helps individuals and companies create meaningful connections, foster a sense of authenticity and resonance.In addition to her impactful work as a Wellness Travel Coach, Sahara is also the Founder and CEO of The Travel Coach Network (TCN). This global community of travel coaches plays a crucial role in helping individuals set intentions for their trips and utilize travel as a powerful tool for therapy, healing, personal growth, and relationship building. Sahara is also deeply committed to promoting the sustainability of tourism by building communities and fostering meaningful connections. She understands that tourism can have a profound impact on local environments and cultures, and she actively works to ensure that travel experiences benefit both travelers and the destinations they visit.In this episode, we dive into Sahara's journey, her insights on human-centric marketing in the tourism industry, and the transformative power of travel coaching. Join us as we uncover the stories, wisdom, and inspiration of one of the remarkable women we watch in tourism, the incredible Sahara Rose.Sahara's Contact details:LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahara-rose-de-vore-4b8bb394/In this episode, we discuss:1. The concept of travel coaching and how it breaks barriers in the travel industry by adding an emotional and personal approach to how travel is planned and used 2. How travel coaches help clients set intentions for their trips and facilitate the fulfillment of personal needs and goals  3. The Travel Coach Network offers the world's first and only ICF-accredited certification program for travel coaches. What is the value of creating a certification program and the value it brings to travel experiences? 4. Sahara's experiences and perspectives on the importance of conscious and responsible travel and how travel helps to build communities. 5. Sahara's challenges, insights, and lessons learned as an entrepreneur and influential women leader. This podcast is jointly presented by:Dr. Nisha https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert , Co-founder of World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/Zinal Doshi, https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi   Founder of The Flapper Life: http://theflapperlife.com 

Welcome to another inspiring episode of "Women We Watch in Tourism." In today's episode, we have the privilege of featuring Vandana Vijay, an exceptional woman leader who is revolutionizing the travel industry through her commitment to sustainability and community development.As we all know, tourism plays a significant role in shaping economies and cultural exchanges around the world. However, the growth of this industry has also brought forth environmental and social challenges that need to be addressed. Vandana Vijay, the Founder and CEO of Offbeat Tracks, recognizes the urgent need for a more sustainable approach to tourism and the responsibility of leaders in driving positive change.Vandana's journey has been defined by her deep passion for sustainable tourism and her unwavering dedication to rural communities, particularly those nestled in the Himalayan mountains. She firmly believes that travel should not only offer unique and immersive experiences but also have a positive impact on the environment and empower local communities.Through Offbeat Tracks, Vandana has curated over 1000 tours across multiple countries, aligning her company's travel goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. With a focus on affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, and responsible consumption and production, Vandana's vision extends beyond mere travel experiences. It encompasses a holistic approach that preserves the environment while fostering the growth and development of rural communities.In this episode, Vandana will share her remarkable journey as a woman leader in the travel industry, breaking through glass ceilings and challenging the norms. She will offer insights into the challenges she faced along the way and how she overcame them with courage and determination. Moreover, Vandana will provide valuable advice for aspiring women leaders in the tourism sector, encouraging them to embrace sustainability, seize opportunities, and make a lasting difference.Join us as we delve into Vandana Vijay's transformative work, and discover how her fearless leadership is shaping the future of tourism, one sustainable journey at a time. Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and equipped with the tools needed to navigate the challenges of leading sustainable initiatives and creating positive change in the tourism industry. Vandana Vijay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vandana-vijay-13639061/In this episode, we discuss:Vandana's inspiration and work in developing rural and community-based tourismThe importance of developing the rural and peripheral areas of a destination through tourism developmentSome of the biggest challenges in developing rural tourism and challenges faced by women in rural community development The Rise of conscious travelers and the Potential for rural tourism developmentVandana's advice for women who aspire to lead and make a difference in the tourism sector, and how can they navigate the challenges they might encounter along the way This podcast is jointly presented by:Dr. Nisha https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert , Co-founder of World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/Zinal Doshi, https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi   Founder of The Flapper Life: http://theflapperlife.com 

Happiness is a common aspiration of humanity and that too the aim of human existence. In Bhutan, the last Shangri la, Gross National Happiness is the guiding principle of everything that is and promotes holistic and sustainable development. The monarchs of Bhutan, manifest compassionate leadership, embodying the Buddhist values of happiness, compassion, and wisdom, placing the well-being of the people and environment at the forefront.  The revered Dalai Lama said that “When we are motivated by compassion and wisdom, the results of our actions benefit everyone, not just our individual selves or some immediate convenience”.In this episode, we meet a very special human being, the lovely Chimi Zangmo from Bhutan. A leader who is driven by the guiding principles of compassion, wisdom, and authenticity in managing her professional and personal life. Chimi is the CEO and founder of DORJI Elements- a boutique hotel in the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu and along with her husband initiated, Drukpro Bhutan, a social enterprise promoting the expressions of creative people through functional & aesthetically designed products. She had previously worked with the Department of Revenue and Customs, the Ministry of Finance, and also with Druk Holding & Investments – the sovereign national wealth creation entity of the country. She currently volunteers as the Executive Director of VAST Bhutan a 23 years old Civil Society Organization that provides artists and youth opportunities to develop artistic talents. Naturally, in her free time, she loves painting and trekking with Trekkers 360°. Chimi Zangmo can be reached at https://www.facebook.com/chimizangmo and  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chimi-zangmo-908758210/In this episode, we discuss: 1. The guiding tenets of the Gross National Happiness approach and have these influenced the type of leadership she adopts2. Compassionate leadership and why we need more compassion, wisdom, and authenticity in the world we live in now. 3.  The feminine energy in leaders and why this is important in supporting others, especially during difficult periods?4.  Chimi's involvement in VAST Bhutan and in supporting the empowerment of youth and women.5. The main challenges facing women-owned businesses in Bhutan and what can women do to scale their businesses.  This podcast is jointly presented by:Dr. Nisha https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert , Co-founder of World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/Zinal Doshi, https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi   Founder of The Flapper Life: http://theflapperlife.com 

Minda Harts, author of the book “The Memo: What Women of Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat At The Table” mentioned that biases and microaggressions against women of color happen all the time in the workplace and often we are in isolation where we don’t have anybody to stand up for you. Harts also mentioned that “It’s not just about having that seat [at the table], it’s about owning it and making sure your voice is heard,”. In this episode, we speak to a passionate and importantly compassionate women leader, who strategically owns the space in the MICE industry, ensures her voice is heard and has earned the respect of many in the process. She has successfully steered the meeting and convention industry to a leading destination, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis that created a high level of uncertainty concerning the future development of the industry.  Mala Dorasamy who comes from South Africa is the current Chief Executive Officer of MITEC. She is responsible for strategically leading the Centre’s marketing, partnerships, operational transformation, and brand & business development.  Mala has a proven track record with over 31 years of experience in the Business Events industry specializing in the opening of new Centres, project management of major high-level events, operational management, international marketing, business development, sales growth & turnaround strategies, event & exhibition management, safety and risk management, ISO/Halal implementation and management. As the previous Director of Marketing, Sales & Events at the Durban International Convention Centre, she played a significant role in building the global reputation, brand, and profitability of the Durban ICC.  Mala was also nominated as the Top 40 Women in Mice in Africa for 2015 and awarded the South African Association of Conference Industry Fellowship Award. Let’s dive into my heartwarming conversation with the dynamic Mala Dorasamy.  Mala can be reached on her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mala-dorasamy-971b0b11/ In this episode, we discuss:1.     Her foray into the MICE industry2.     What’s NOT going to change in the industry in the post-COVID environment3.     Her vision and advice for the MICE industry4.     The importance of empathetic leadership in steering organizations toward a crisis-resilient world5.     How to build a circle of influence on mentoring and developing ourselves as women leaders6.     How to own the space at the table and make our voices heard7.     A status quo about women/colored women that she rejectsThis podcast is jointly presented by:Dr. Nisha https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert , Co-founder of World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/Zinal Doshi, https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi   Founder of The Flapper Life : http://theflapperlife.com   

Travel journalism is often described as being an insular and nepotistic enterprise. Though travel is so diverse, it is ironic that travel stories are usually dominated by a white, older person’s gaze.  There is a lack of visibility of writers from the BIPOC community. Travel journalists of color have to work much harder to assert their expertise and credibility. There is a need for a more representative pool of travel writers sharing their impressions of the world and more effort should be placed  into the non-western world to drive travel narratives. Certainly, diverse perspectives will enrich our world view and amplify our humanity. In this episode, we speak with the gorgeous Sarah Khan, Sarah is an award-winning travel journalist who’s reported from six continents for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Condé Nast Traveller, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, Bloomberg, Robb Report, and numerous other publications, and most recently was Editor in Chief of Condé Nast Traveller Middle East. Her work also appears in The Best American Travel Writing 2021 and New York Times 36 Hours: 150 Cities from Abu Dhabi to Zurich. She’s a connoisseur of global junk food, a hoarder of hotel pens, and a master at sleeping through long-haul flights; she’s lived in six countries on three continents and possesses 2.5 passports. She is also the co-founder of Travel Is Better in Color, that celebrates the varied voices in travel media and bringing the world to life with their unique perspectivesSarah Khan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bysarahkhan/Key points discussed in this episode:1. Travel journalism is often described as an insular, nepotistic enterprise. Has this changed over the years? What were some of Sarah's challenges in breaking the barriers? 2. What motivated Sarah to start the initiative "Travel is Better in Color"?  3. Why is it important to have the representation of the female gaze in travel writing, particularly, with the increase in female travel market? 4. Has the travel storytelling sphere evolved in unexpected ways since the start of COVID?5. What are her  challenges as a Muslim women traveller and travel writer? This podcast is jointly presented by: Dr. Nisha https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert , Co-founder of World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/Zinal Doshi, https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi   Founder of The Flapper Life : http://theflapperlife.com   

Most conversations about women in tourism are focused on women as consumers. We need to create the platforms to speak on deeper issues, about women working in the tourism and hospitality industry and the inequities they face. We need to create the opportunities to elevate voices to find solutions to eliminate injustice. In this podcast episode, we have Marinel M. de Jesus, Esq. a changemaker who boldly advocates for workforce equity and inclusion of women and indigenous communities in the trekking tourism industry worldwide. Marinel M. de Jesus, Esq.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marineldejesus/ Brown Gal Trekker: https://www.browngaltrekker.com/  Marinel M. de Jesus, Esq. is a former civil rights lawyer from Washington, DC who turned her passion for hiking into a full-time endeavor as a social entrepreneur, solutions-focused journalist, and speaker. She is the founder of the award-winning media platform, Brown Gal Trekker, and mountain trekking enterprise, Equity Global Treks, both of which aim to elevate the status and roles of women and indigenous communities in the outdoor and travel industries. Marinel is a full-time global mountain nomad and travels to mountain destinations regularly to explore tourism initiatives that are community-led and/or focus on female leadership in the tourism industry. In 2019, she founded the non-profit human rights organization, The Porter Voice Collective, which aims to advocate for the human rights of porters in Peru, Nepal, and Tanzania and Workforce Equity Tourism as a form of sustainable tourism through the use of storytelling and all forms of media. Key points covered in the episode: 1.     What drove a highly successful career women with a lucrative career to be “married to the mountains?” and understanding her mantra “Make use of the power of permission” that guided her towards embracing a minimalist and simple life2.     The stereotypes and challenges faced by a women and person of color in a traditionally white, male space3.     The need to decolonise the tourism industry and giving the ownership and control of it back to the local community.4.     Why and how we can create platforms to elevate women’s voices in the tourism industry. 5.     Lessons that she has learned on her entrepreneurial journey across the world.  This podcast is jointly presented by: Dr. Nisha https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert , Co-founder of World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/ Zinal Doshi, https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi   Founder of The Flapper Life : http://theflapperlife.com      

The pandemic appears to have unleashed a tidal wave of entrepreneurial activity many parts of the world. It takes a lot of courage and resilience to brave the risks and turn obstacles into opportunities. In this episode, we invite the very vivacious and creative, Nisha Ramisetty, start-up entrepreneur to share her experiences.  Nisha Ramisetty, Cofounder, Naksha  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nramisetty/ Nisha is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Naksha, an award-winning F&B startup based in Dubai and now launching London. Naksha won a place on the Spinneys Local Business Incubator in Dubai and launched in November 2020 at the peak of the pandemic. The concept – gourmet recipe kits that are inspired by off-the-beaten track food from travel destinations around the world - redefines how people eat and experience travel through food. It is now retailing across the UAE and scaling internationally. The concept is also part of the London School of Economics’ LSE Generate Accelerator programme. Before this, Nisha worked in media and with the UAE government and launched several initiatives across the MENA region in the technology and innovation sectors. She has also worked in the financial services sector. Nisha was raised in the US and India, and currently lives between London and Dubai and attributes her adventurous outlook on travel and food to this mixed upbringing.  Key  points covered in this episode: 1.     As a first-time start-up entrepreneur, how she braved the risks prevalent during the COVID pandemic and used the crisis as a catalyst to launch her business2.     The most important qualities a start-up entrepreneur needs during a crisis 3.     Co-creating tourism experiences through partnering with the creative industry4.     The importance of financial literacy for women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses5.     How can women-owned businesses support women start-ups?This podcast is jointly presented by:Dr. Nisha https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert , Co-founder of World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/Zinal Doshi, https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi   Founder of The Flapper Life : http://theflapperlife.com   Special thanks to KR Jeevan, https://www.jiiivan.sg/   for editing the podcast episodes. 

Conscious leadership is critical when navigating tough times and challenges in the leadership journey. A high level of self-awareness, level headedness, being intentional and compassionate are important traits to transform organisations and communities. In today’s episode, I will speaking with one of the "TOP 50 Global Inspirational Woman to look out for 2022", one who wins the hearts of many through her conscious leadership.  Sumaira Isaacs: CEO of World Tourism Forum InstituteContact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumaira-isaacs As a destination expert and influencer, with over 25 years’ experience, Sumaira brings immense international knowledge and ‘art of international insights and best practices’ on how to establish and grow a destination, within the tourism industry. She has been fortunate to have worked along with several Tourist Boards, Associations and Local Governments in Africa, Middle East, India and north America.  Her expertise and body of work over the years, comprises of tourism and destination strategy development and action planning - supporting some of the most prolific “winning tourism destinations” such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, Canada, USA and most recently South Africa and Pakistan, to name just a few. Currently, Sumaira serves as CEO of World Tourism Forum Institute is the international institute, based in London, UK. As a tourism Think Tank, the orgnisation’s focus is on ‘Reshaping Economies Through Tourism’. Sumaira was recently recognised as "TOP 50 Global Inspirational Woman to look out for 2022" by the Titanium magazine.   Key points covered in the episode: 1.     The business model of WTFI, the transformation and the challenges faced by the leaders of the organisation during the pandemic 2.     Harnessing block chain technology, crypto currency and digital transformation in travel and tourism. Is the industry lagging behind and what needs to be done? 3.     The most important takeaways from her interviews with futurists on the #RecoveryisSoon Townhall series 4.     Advice to women aspiring to break barriers and boundaries to become more visible in certain countries where the culture does not support strong traits in women. 5.     Challenges & discriminations faced by a female leader of South Asian origin. 6.     Perspectives and attitude that Sumaira carries with her as a women changemaker. This podcast is jointly presented by:Dr. Nisha https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert , Co-founder of World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/Zinal Doshi, https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi   Founder of The Flapper Life : http://theflapperlife.com   Special thanks to KR Jeevan, https://www.jiiivan.sg/   for editing the podcast episodes. 

Women are creating innovative companies at unprecedented rates and they are at the forefront of many market trends. They have the education and skills to build prosperous companies, but struggle for the capital and funding.  In the past year, the amount of funding to women-led startups declined, as the overall amount of venture dollars poured into startups inched higher. The startups that have drawn a larger share of VC dollars are those with a team of all male founders. A Harvard business Review found that 90% of VC decision makers are men, who, in turn, invest 86% of their capital in all-male teams. The burning question is this: What must happen for this to change? And also, more importantly why are women getting a smaller piece of the VC pie? What are their biggest challenges?  To speak about these pertinent issues, we have on today’s episode Jean Winter. Jean is the founder of Jean's Private Kitchen, Geneva’s first underground dining concept which successfully expanded to France, Hamburg, Singapore and now to Dubai.  She started the private dining concept from her home catering to mostly clients from UN/WHO/WTO/Footballers/VIPs in the Geneva region, relying purely on word of mouth with no advertising and gradually grew her clientele base to more than 700 private clients in Geneva alone. As a celebrity chef, she now hosts VVIPS, government officials and royalties, purely based on word of mouth.  Jean is also a food consultant to the Singapore Embassy & Consulate UAE and other international organisations. She played an integral part at the Singapore Pavilion, Expo Dubai, recreating the Singapore hawker experience. The negative impact of the pandemic on female-owned businesses drove Jean to invest in people over stocks and shares. As an angel investor and VC, Jean has supported many women-led businesses affected by the economic downturn. Jean is also the CEO of Touch Consultancy, UAE’s 1st Disability Inclusion Consultancy, an inclusive platform that represents people of determination. Based on three distinct pillars of representation, growth, and community outreach, the company promotes stories of people of determination in a way that respectfully educates society about disability. Despite her fame as a renowned, celebrity chef, Jean is strongly grounded on her core values of honesty, kindness, humanity, charity, loyalty and good manners. And this is the reason why without a website or paid marketing/advertising, Jean draws 1000s of followers and major clients. Jean Winter can be reached on:Instagram: @jeansprivatekitchen and @jeanwinterconsultancy This podcast is jointly presented by:World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/The Flapper Life : http://theflapperlife.com 

The challenges facing family-owned businesses are often more diverse and complex than those faced by other companies. "Family" and "business" are intertwined into a mix of traditional family values, business challenges and generational differences. Further, women face more challenges as the  business world for family-owned entities is still a man’s world.”Even as cofounders and co-owners of the family business, women were often found on the side lines, facing similar challenges related to gender discrimination and stereotyping to those found in the broader corporate world. In some cases, women have traditionally played a somewhat ‘invisible’ role in their family businesses, as the ‘hidden’ CEO, working behind the scenes and experience unconscious bias. However, women have the incredible ability to step up and shift their own and others’ mental framework when they enter the business. In this week’s episode Dr. Nisha  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert/  get up close and personal with a leading woman who has successfully led a family-owned hospitality business, and revered as one of the 50 most powerful women of business in Sri Lanka. Shiromal Cooray. Shiromal is the Chairman and Managing Director of Jetwing Travels (Pvt.) Ltd., one of the leading inbound/outbound travel management companies in Sri Lanka. She is also the Chairman of Jetwing Hotels (Pvt) Ltd., a premier hospitality brand that owns and manages 30 hotels and 10 villas in Sri Lanka. Jetwing Hotels (Pvt) Ltd.’s achievements include the Gold and Silver Trophy of Commendation in the Hotel category at The Presidential Environment Awards 2019 and the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) Award for sustainable operations (2016). With diverse experience in a number of industries, Shiromal also holds 19 other directorates in hotels, finance, investment banking, Banking, Commodity brokering and advertising and PR agencies. She is past Chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID), and past President of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators. Shiromal is a currently Board Director of Commercial Bank PLC. Although she was an heir to the family legacy, her independent spirit led to Shiromal choosing a career as an accountant at JWT. She rose to become the Finance Director and moved to Hong Kong, to broaden her career prospects in the region and gain valuable experience. Inspired by her entrepreneur father, Shiromal returned to join the family business to help the world experience the best of Sri Lanka’s authentic hospitality, while enriching the lives of local communities. Strongly grounded on family values and tenets of faith, humility, respect, passion, honesty and tenacity, Shiromal, her brother Hiran, with the entire Jetwing team have strived to build a strong hospitality brand that is distinctly Sri Lankan to the core and renowned internationally for the brand’s warmth, service excellence and sustainability initiatives. An Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK), Shiromal also has an MBA from (the University of Colombo). She is the former Vice-President of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) and the former President of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) – the foremost representative body for tour operators in Sri Lanka. She was also elected recently as the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID). You can reach Shiromal via:Email: shiromal@jetwing.lkLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiromal-cooray-9274a219/ This podcast is jointly presented by:World Women Tourism: https://www.worldwomentourism.com The Flapper Life: https://www.theflapperlife.com

Recent research indicates that while mentorships are important for leadership success, it is sponsorships that make a difference in the career advancement of women. A Havard business review also reported that women tend to be over-mentored and under-sponsored. Too few women are reaching the top of their organizations, and a big reason is that they are not getting the high-stakes assignments that are prerequisite for a shot at the C-suite. Often, this is due to a lack of powerful sponsors demanding and ensuring that they get these stepping-stone opportunities.What is the difference between mentorship and sponsorship? What steps do we need to take ensure that women have the sponsorship support that they need? This week’s special guest is Aradhana Khowala, who advocates for sponsorship to elevate the status and progress of women in their careers. As a mentor and sponsor she models behaviour and invests in the upward movement of fellow women. Aradhana Khowala is globally identified as an authority on the travel, tourism and hospitality industries and has over two decades of experience across 70+ countries in four continents. She is currently CEO & Founder of Aptamind Partners a Private Client Advisory. Aradhana also serves as a Board Member and Steering Committee member of World Tourism Forum, Lucerne and Chair of the Advisory Board of the Red Sea Project in Saudi Arabia. Aradhana has won multiple awards including the 21st Century Icon Awards in 2017 in associationwith CNBC and London School of Economics as an Inspirational Game Changer in Tourism. In 2014, she was featured as one of the 50 most Influential Next Generation leaders who will likely define the future of the Tourism sector by Swiss Economic magazine Bilan (Forbes equivalent). Don’t miss out even a minute of our highly engaging conversation with Aradhana! Her razor-sharp mind and deep insights will certainly keep you rooted.  You can reach Aradhana on: Email: aradhana.khowala@aptamind.comLinkedIn This podcast is jointly presented by: World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/The Flapper Life https://www.theflapperlife.com/ 

In the tourism industry where women make up almost 60% of the workforce, we have witnessed massive gender disparity in tour guiding as a profession. Women have faced various barriers ranging from lack of education and training opportunities to cultural constraints. Even those who break down the barriers to become tour guides, face a host of challenges from discrimination to sexual harassment. Guests flirting with female guides, tours turning out as dates, unwanted touching and invasion of privacy of female guides are common problems that these women battle with. In many countries, female tour guides are expected to bunk with their male colleagues in accommodations. However, we have seen some positive progress where women are challenging stereotypes by entering the male-dominated profession. An important driver is the demand for female-led tours and solo travel. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) issued tourist guide licenses to qualified Saudi women in 2019. Of interest is National Geographic’s thought-provoking collaboration with Mattel in 2019. By creating a line of travel-themed Barbie dolls, they were able to encourage young girls to aspire to careers like wildlife photojournalist and polar marine biologist. Women experience the world differently and a female tour-guide’s perspective in presenting the world through a female gaze can portray destinations, cultures and stories differently. What can we do to pave the way for more women to become tour guides globally? In episode 3, Nisha (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert/ ) and Zinal (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinal-doshi/) speak with Nikki Padilla Rivera, a female tour guide who has shattered the glass ceiling in the male-dominated profession and taken the road less travelled. Nikki has worked as a NYC tour guide, a multi-day tour leader, a tour designer for two multi-day start-up operators, and as the Director of the Guide Program at Intrepid Urban Adventures (where she oversees over 160 local operators and 1500+ guides). She advocates for guides to be acknowledged as the most vital part of the tourism environment through the Global Guide Alliance. She is also the co-founder of NextGenTravel, a New York City networking group that brings together all aspects of the travel business. Through her company, Trip Kinetics, Nikki helps with travel operators to improve their guiding and travel experience. Nikki can be reached via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-padilla-rivera-68057813b/Twitter: https://twitter.com/nikkiblpWebsite: https://www.tripkinetics.com/ This podcast is jointly presented by:  World Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/ The Flapper Life https://www.theflapperlife.com/

In the academic space, where effectiveness and performance are prized more than joy, purpose and creativity, many academics tend to shut themselves out from what matters most deeply to them. Perhaps we need to slow down and give ourselves the mental space and spaciousness for contemplation and reflection to “re-search” the person within us as academics. Liberating ourselves from the academic regime to excel, might allow us to live our lives with care, joy and passion. In Episode 2, Dr Nisha Abu Bakar and Dr. Catheryn Khoo converse with a very special guest who speaks on love, desire, joy, creativity and freedom. An academic activist, Ana Maria Munar, is a beautiful person: in mind, body and soul. She is one the most well-read, brilliant and creative academic that we have in tourism. Ana María Munar is Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School, Denmark. She began her academic career in her early thirties and had her third child while doing her PhD. Love of knowing and love of family, friends and colleagues has guided much of Ana’s scholarly life. Her research applies philosophical approaches to gender, higher education and tourism. Her latest book “I am Man” is a poetic philosophical work on gender identity and expression. Currently, she is writing a book entitled “Desire” where she applies psychoanalysis, philosophy, art and literature to explore what desire means for our human condition. Her ongoing work in tourism focuses on gender and tourism sustainability and on re-imagining tourism spaces, applying ethics and contemplation, new materialism and creative writing. In her latest tourism innovation project she applied Existentialism and multisensory/multimedia approaches to understand tourism experiences. Ana is engaged in curriculum development and her focus has been to strengthen the ethical, philosophical and entrepreneurial aspects of business management education. Over the years, Ana has served on several national and international boards and networks. Ana has delivered numerous conference presentations and keynote addresses in her research areas.You can connect with Ana Maria via: Email: anm.mpp@cbs.dk You can find out more about her work via this link: https://lnkd.in/gjv8_f4s This podcast is jointly presented byWorld Women Tourism https://www.worldwomentourism.com/The Flapper Life https://www.theflapperlife.com/

The Netflix drama, The Chair, received some excitement among academics as it presented a pretty accurate portrayal (despite some technical flaws) of lived experiences of women professors and their challenges in neoliberal universities. In reality, the gloomy state of higher education and problems are far more complex and difficult than in the series. Universities have become places where managerialist and PR concerns overrule academic ones. Academics are under increasing pressure to be hypercompetitive for resources and various forms of metrics to deliver visible work – league tables, publications, research degree advisory loads, student enrolments and student evaluation scores. Academics are encouraged to “engage the public” but cautioned not to be too controversial.There are structural constraints and dominant mindsets that limit the universities potential to be a conducive place for women academics and leaders to thrive and florish. Women academics’ challenges and voices are often silenced, marginalised and not openly addressed or acknowledged. A very strong and chilling line in The Chair is when Ji-Yoon comes to a realization about her predicament: “I feel like someone handed me a ticking time bomb because they wanted to make sure a woman was holding it when it explodes.” In Season 2 Episode 1, Dr. Nisha (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishatourismexpert/) and Dr. Catheryn Khoo ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcatherynkhoo/) are in conversation with an activist scholar, Dr. Freya Higgins-Desbiolles. Freya is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management, Business Unit, University of South Australia and Adjunct Associate Professor with Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo. Her activist and scholarly work focuses on social justice, human rights and sustainability issues in tourism. She has worked with industry, community and non-profits on projects that have worked at the cutting edge of ethical and sustainable tourism. She has been a sought-after media commentator and her articles in the Conversation have had more than one million readers. She has won awards for excellence in teaching, research, industry engagement and media presence. She is authentic, bold and courageous as well as highly critical in raising the structural injustice in tourism and academia. Freya can be contacted via Email :Freya.HigginsDesbiolles@unisa.edu.au https://people.unisa.edu.au/freya.higginsdesbiollesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freya-higgins-desbiolles/Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpFRxHrVnSSqszZgaDonn4g Women We Watch is jointly hosted by:World Women Tourism: https://www.worldwomentourism.com/The Flapper Life: https://www.theflapperlife.com/

Research has indicated that fewer than 18 percent of leaders have the qualities of mind to optimally lead in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments, like in the current pandemic (Forbes, 2020). Of the many pressing demands on leaders, transforming their destinations/companies to adopt a new, “bionic” operating model may be the most urgent and will require them to lead in new transformative ways. The COVID-19 pandemic seems only to have accelerated the need for the transformation of people, businesses, and economies to survive and thrive in the volatile ecosystem. In our Episode 6, we engage in a highly insightful conversation with a leader who is passionate about and committed to transformative leadership, and agile leadership style and service excellence in creating bespoke service experiences. Ms Neeta Lachmandas, is the Executive Director at the Institute of Service Excellence Singapore. She leads the Institute in driving forward its mission to help businesses in Singapore in their digital service transformation efforts, raising service levels, and building consumer experience strategies through three key areas of focus: benchmarking and comparative analysis using customer satisfaction data analytics, research, and thought leadership, and industry engagement.Prior to her ISES appointment, Neeta was Assistant Chief Executive, Business Development Group, at the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). In that role, she helmed the Board’s efforts in strengthening Singapore’s position as a premier business and Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) destination; increasing Singapore’s share of the medical tourism and private education sector; and growing the cruise industry. Neeta’s eight years at STB also saw her lead in a wide range of areas, from manpower and labor policies to technology development and service excellence.Neeta has 20 years of working experience in the areas of marketing, communications, account management, and business development, in companies such as Leo Burnett (S) Pte Ltd, Northwest Airlines Inc., and the Media Corporation of Singapore. Throughout this time, Neeta had been responsible for profile building, business development, identifying and targeting new clients, brand management, advertising and client communication, public relations, event management and putting into place loyalty and CRM strategies.

The tourism industry is facing the gravest challenge in the last year and a half the impact of the crisis is being felt throughout the tourism ecosystem. Tourism leaders and policy makers are confronted with highly complex decisions to make to steer the rebuilding and recovery of their respective destinations. ·       What should tourism leaders be prioritizing on right now during the crisis?·       Should tourism boards continue or stop marketing their respective destinations?·       As we face the “Great Reset”, how should tourism leaders rethink and recalibrate tourism plans as they drive their economies towards tourism recovery?In this episode, we are pleased to have on our show, Beth Potter, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). Beth joins TIAC at a critical time to bravely lead the tourism sector to be resilient and to move towards recovery. She shares with us her plans, insights, challenges and aspirations. Beth Potter is an accomplished leader with over 35 years of diversified provincial, national association experience, and close to 20 years in the tourism sector. From 2011 to 2021, Beth served as President & CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), representing over 200,000 tourism businesses. In March of 2021, Beth joined the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), with a vision to heighten the awareness of the industry across Canada, and to strengthen the organization’s advocacy objectives and results as the sector works through and post the COVID-19 pandemic. TIAC is the national voice of Canada’s tourism industry, representing the tourism economy’s interests at the national level. An involved leader, Beth will focus on working in partnership with other organizations to advance the policy work that TIAC undertakes on behalf of the industry.  At the international level, Beth is an active member of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) COVID-19 Taskforce and Government Affairs working group. As a testament to her leadership in the industry, Beth was recently named one of the Top 50 Women in Travel by the Global Business Travel Association.Beth has worked with a variety of boards, committees and volunteers across the tourism industry and from all walks of life.  She currently holds a board seat for the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Provincial & Territorial Tourism Industry Association Council, Destination Ontario Sector Advisory Committee, and for Tourism HR Canada.You can follow Beth Potter on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-potter-tiaoEmail: BPotter@tiac-aitc.ca Follow Women We Watch in Tourism on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/women-we-watch-38bb78216 Follow World Women Tourism on:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldwomentourism Follow The Flapper Life on:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-flapper-life 

Sharihan Al Mashary started her career at Burj Al Arab, followed by, Madinat Jumeirah, and subsequently moved to the pre-opening of two luxury properties; Palazzo Versace Dubai and Address Boulevard Dubai. She has a proven track record of operational strength, performance excellence, financial & commercial acumen, people development, and Food & Beverage concept creation. She has a passion for humanity and she prioritizes her nation by actively working with Community Development Authorities, Technical & Vocational Education, university curriculum development, to support UAE’s governmental entities from the local, regional, and global perspectives within the tourism and hospitality industry.In 2018, she became the first female Emirati General Manager in Hospitality. She has won several awards such as, 'Best General Manager for UAE', 'The 'Continent 2019', 'The Young Arab Leader Award for Hospitality Impact' at AHIC 2019, and 'The Emirates Woman Award-Achiever category 2019'. Her achievements were recognised by 'The David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award' for her long-term commitment towards the 'United Nations Sustainable Development Goals'. They comprise 'Goal 8: Economic Growth, Gender Balance at the workplace', 'Youth Employment and Decent Jobs for All', and 'Eradication of Modern-Day-Slavery'. Subsequently, she was awarded by Asia Society USA for being the 'Young Leader for UAE'.  You can follow Sharihan Al Mashary on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharihan-al-mashary-665156202/Email id: shari.alm.1989@gmail.com

Mar Pages is an ex-Googler and the founder and CEO of a digital marketing agency, Online Group Success, focused on social media, online and influencer marketing. She is also an experienced luxury travel writer, influencer and blogger with two blogs attracting 200,000 followers and over 100,000 monthly views, Once in a Lifetime Journey (www.onceinalifetimejourney.com) and Singapore n Beyond (www.singaporenbeyond.com). Mar also runs the highly successful Solo Female Travelers Club, a fast growing, female-powered and female focused travel business and online community of 100, 000 female travellers, a first of it’s kind globally.  She successfully organised the annual Empoweful festival that focuses on the safety, wellness and sexual wellbeing of female travellers that empowers women to travel solo. Her past employment includes a 15-year international career in digital advertising with Google and strategy consulting for multibillion-dollar telecommunications companies across 30+ countries. She started her career at Tyco, PwC and JP Morgan.   An avid traveler, Mar has visited more than 100 countries across all continents and lived in 8. When not at home in Singapore, she speaks at, organizes and attends digital marketing, business, and entrepreneurship events around the world. She is a mentor and investor in several travel and lifestyle startups and the leader of the Travel Massive Singapore chapter. Mar has authored two books, 30 Proven ways to make money online with or without a blog: 70+ case studies of successful online entrepreneurs and bloggers and 100 Trips of a Lifetime: To fall in love with the world again.   You can follow Mar Pages on:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marpages     Websites: onceinalifetimejourney.com  (Company Website)singaporenbeyond.com  (Company Website)solofemaletravelers.club/  (Company Website)Email: marpagesvidal@gmail.com