Women in Travel: It’s Contiki’s Vanessa Stavrou

Women in Travel: It’s Contiki’s Vanessa Stavrou

We chat with Vanessa Stavrou, Head of Marketing, Contiki about the importance of travel, being authentic and going on an e-tox, in conjunction with the inaugural Women in Travel Awards in November.

I used to work in investment banking running large scale projects, however I didn’t find it as fulfilling as I knew I should have. I quickly realised I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life marketing superannuation so I decided to move to travel to make a difference. I believe travel makes us all better humans.

Working in marketing you tend to find yourself in teams with a higher proportion of females. I’d like to think this is because this role requires empathy, an emotion commonly associated with our gender. Travel is all about making connections with people and the world around us. Selling them a dream requires empathy, creativity and insight – women rock at this.

In terms of leadership, I was in a meeting recently where someone said “there is no failure there is only learning”.

I like how eloquently it was phrased and it captures how I like to lead. I am passionate, crazy, and emotionally invested in the company I work for and my team. Authenticity is the core of great leadership and I balance that with a genuine desire to see my team exceed and be the best they can be.

Away from work, I recently took a long weekend e-tox – four days with no email – it was amazing how energised I felt. I try and do that at least twice a year, the next being at Christmas time when I head to Patagonia to do the W Trek.

To women starting out, I would say be bold, put your hand up and ask for help – it’s the best way to learn. The travel industry is an industry that recognises hard work, so get stuck in. I’ve worked hard my whole career and had great leaders recognise my investment and they have helped develop me along the way.

Travel Weekly is proud to present the inaugural Women in Travel Awards in Sydney on 17 November, and are calling on women from any level across the industry to enter.

You don’t have to be nominated to enter, it’s open to all women at any level, and entries are FREE. ENTRIES CLOSE FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER!

View criteria for each of the 18 categories here: women-in-travel-criteria-categories

Or, if you know or work with any exceptional Women in Travel, be proactive and acknowledge excellence in their field by nominating them to enter.

Click here to Nominate Now

The 18 categories are NOW OPEN and individuals can enter in more than one category.

Winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on 17 November in Sydney. Earlybird tickets are on sale.

Any questions, contact Daisy Melwani on 0401216294 or drop her a line here.

Read other Women in Travel interviews in this series:

Sarina Bratton, Ponant

Sarah Anderson, GTI Tourism

Penny Lion, Tourism Australia

Kim Mason, TravelManagers

Simla Sooboodoo, Hands On Journeys

Eliza Woodward, SmartFlyer Australia

Jennifer Vandekreeke, Carnival Cruise Line

Karin Sheppard, IHG

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]