Travel industry marks International Women’s Day

Travel industry marks International Women’s Day

Wednesday marked International Women’s Day, and the role of women in the travel industry was both celebrated and critiqued at events.

JITO held its Women for Women Day event in Sydney with 500 attendees. The speaker program included Contiki’s Katrina Barry, Carnival’s Jennifer Vandekreeke, MSC Cruises’ Lynn Clarke, Carlson Wagonlit’s Lisa Akeroyd, Insight Vacations’ Alex O’Connor and Travelport’s Kaylene Shuttlewood.

Across town, the annual Women in Tourism leadership lunch saw Accor’s Chief Operating Officer Simon McGrath, Consultant Peter Hook and Hayley Baillie, Owner & Founder of Baillie Lodges lead a panel discussion covering gender equality, women in the workplace and the role of women in industry, hosted by Holly Galbraith and Emma Castle with over 100 attendees.

Questions were raised around the need to set quotas for females on boards.

“Quotas are the only way we can get this to happen, otherwise nothing will change,” Intrepid Group CIO Michelle Beveridge said.

Kaylene Shuttlewood addressed the audience on women being chosen on merit, rather than to fulfil quotas.

“Women are seen as risky candidates – no appetite for risk, indecisive, unpredictable shows of emotion. But there’s also the double bind of being too assertive.”

“The challenge is finding an acceptable balance to be confident but not aggressive or pushy,” Shuttlewood said.

“If I want a position in a board I want it on merit.”

Shuttlewood said that there as a demographic divide, with females under 45 focused on appointments driven by merit.

“It’s not a balance, it’s a juggle. It’s about being present,” Penny Spencer said.

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 […]