Women in Leadership: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future in Travel
The travel industry is often regarded as a male-dominated field, but women are increasingly making their mark and paving the way for a more sustainable future. From Chantal Gouws, GM of FCIG, to Gaynor Galbraith Neill, CEO of Cruise Vacations, women in leadership positions are sharing their advice for young women aspiring to build a dynamic and successful career in the travel industry.
Staying Curious and Adaptable: Key to Success
According to Gouws, setting clear boundaries between work and personal time is crucial, although she acknowledges that these lines may occasionally blur. She highlights the need for continuous learning and adaptability, as the travel landscape is constantly evolving. Her advice is to stay curious, attend industry events, and keep expanding your knowledge, as your expertise is your most valuable asset. Gouws also encourages women to trust in their abilities but not to hesitate in asking for help when needed.
Balancing Technology and Traditional Values
Neill advises young women aiming for a long and successful career in the South African travel industry to balance modern technology with traditional values and hard work. Having entered the industry in a junior role in 1988, Neill moved into the cruise sector nearly three decades ago and took ownership of Cruise Vacations in 2020, specialising in luxury cruises. She suggests that success in travel comes from identifying your passion within a specific sector and setting clear goals to achieve it.
Effective Selling and Networking
Brenda Mitchell, Head of Sales for World Leisure Holidays, advises young women interested in a sales career to pursue relevant courses. These provide insights into effective selling, such as asking the right questions and understanding customer needs. She emphasizes the importance of networking, as it can lead to job opportunities, partnerships, or mentorships.
Sharing Knowledge and Leaving a Legacy
Hara Jackson, Sales Director of Legacy Hotels & Resorts, believes in the importance of sharing knowledge, whether it’s with guests, customers, or your team. She feels that sharing information and knowledge is the best legacy you can leave, demonstrating integrity and appreciation for what others contribute.
Developing a Business Plan and Creating a Strong Brand Identity
Farah Mohd, MD of Globe Travel Tours, recommends that newcomers develop a detailed business plan, including a business model, target market, marketing strategy, and financial projections. She emphasizes the importance of creating a strong brand identity that reflects your niche and appeals to your target audience as crucial to a successful travel career.
Passion, Work Ethic, and Building Relationships
Michelle Rance, Sales and Support for Club Travel, describes a career in travel as one filled with endless possibilities, offering adventure and exposure to diverse cultures. She believes that while passion is essential, so is a strong work ethic and stresses the importance of building relationships with clients, making good communication skills vital. Her advice is to stay curious, be adaptable, and continuously strive to learn about new destinations.
Heat pump systems, like those developed by Hanon Systems, are crucial for reducing energy consumption in electric vehicles.
Optimizing Itinerary Planning for a Sustainable Future
MSC Cruises aims to cut its ships’ emissions by up to 15% in 2026 using a new itinerary planning tool. The OptiCruise tool’s algorithms identify optimized itineraries, which continue to appeal for passengers while allowing for best use of energy. This technology is part of MSC Cruises’ strategy to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 for its marine operations.
Cruise ships, like those operated by MSC Cruises, can significantly reduce their environmental impact by optimizing itinerary planning.
In conclusion, women in leadership positions in the travel industry are paving the way for a more sustainable future. By staying curious, adaptable, and continuously striving to learn, young women can build a dynamic and successful career in the travel industry. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential to balance technology with traditional values, effective selling with networking, and knowledge sharing with building relationships. By doing so, we can create a more sustainable future for the travel industry.
Women in leadership positions, like those featured in this article, are role models for young women aspiring to build a career in the travel industry.
