“I was told I wouldn’t make it”: IHG managing director talks women in travel
With voting for the Women in Travel Power List now well and truly open, Travel Weekly is calling on the industry to celebrate great women in all forms.
That’s what our Power List is about, after all, celebrating great women from all walks of life whether they be our friends, colleagues, mentors or even yourself!
So what are you waiting for? Get nominating right here!
Entries close on Friday 10 May, so get cracking and we’ll pass on your entry to our esteemed judges, who will have the difficult task of whittling the nominations down to a Power List of 20 female trailblazers.
If you missed out seeing who made last year’s Power List, you can get up to speed by clicking here.
In the meantime, in case you need a little inspiration, we sat down with the regional managing director for IHG, Leanne Harwood, to pick her brain about her journey to the top spot.
Here’s what she had to say.
Travel Weekly: You’ve been working with IHG for 14 years now! Have you noticed any changes in opportunities for women in the industry over that time?
Leanne Harwood: The world of hospitality has changed dramatically over my more than 20 years in hospitality, and gender diversity has been one of the most profound changes.
When I first started out in hotels, there was no doubt that operational leadership was still an area of inequality – it was the domain of the middle-aged man.
In fact, twenty years ago I was told I wouldn’t make it because I would probably leave to have children. It really was disheartening to look up at people who inspired you, but don’t see people who are like you.
I’ve worked hard to make change from the inside, taking on increasingly senior operational leadership roles, and along the way I hope I’ve made it easier for future female leaders.
Fast forward today, and our diversity story has accelerated dramatically. We have so many great female general managers in our hotels and IHG’s Sydney corporate workforce is almost 70 per cent female, with 50 per cent representation at director level and above. That’s a far cry from where we were a couple of decades back!
Yes, at the hotel general manager level we do have more work to do to properly balance the scales, and we have been taking steps to do so, including the rollout of RISE, our mentoring initiative for female colleagues who aspire to be a GM.
There are still echoes of the boy’s club from time to time, but it’s a different world and it is up to everyone to step up and continue to make change from within the industry.
TW: What changes would you like to see in the industry to make it more inclusive for women and other minority groups?
We have come such a long way – ‘glass ceiling thinking’ is a relic of the past and inequality is no longer an acceptable norm. But they are still areas we can improve to make the journey easier.
My current crusade is around dress code. It came to my attention recently that some hotel brand standards still had some outdated inclusions, such as requiring women to wear skirts and high heel shoes – and men weren’t allowed to do either!
A hotel team is a rainbow of nationalities, cultures, ages, qualifications, sexualities and creeds, so we can’t take a cookie-cutter approach. We need to reposition the industry for the next generation and recognise that the leader of 5 years’ time is possibly not someone we may have traditionally had on our radar.
The good news is we’re changing things for the better! We’re making it easy for everyone to be themselves when they work for an IHG hotel by rethinking brand standards around dress code – we know that this generation demands this from their employer and will make their voices heard.
TW: Does IHG have any policies in place to promote diversity?
LH: At IHG we are absolutely focused on creating an inclusive culture. We do this in various ways, such as promoting more flexible expectations of working hours, shifting the culture to be more inclusive, and bringing a more balanced approach and expectations around the traditional hospitality culture.
We recognise that people thrive when they can connect, share and learn from others’ experiences. There are some challenges that only another colleague on a similar journey can relate to, and it makes such a huge difference to have a safe and comfortable environment in which to share.
RISE, IHG’s Australian mentoring initiative for female colleagues who aspire to be a hotel General Manager, has been an important initiative for us, ensuring that our high potential female talent stay on track with their leadership journey. While the premise of RISE is that it’s a mentoring initiative and doesn’t guarantee a leadership role as an outcome, we are proud to say that 3 of the 11 participants have gone on to take up hotel General Manager roles, two of them in Australia and one in Asia. We also appointed our first female Area General Manager, who looks after hotels in NSW and QLD.
TW: Why do you think events like Women in Travel need to be occurring?
LH: Events like Women in Travel are a great opportunity to drive action around diversity and inclusion. This is something that matters to us at IHG, and it matters to me.
I do look forward to a day when this conversation has become unnecessary and these events aren’t needed. I honestly don’t think that day is far off but, for now, it’s valuable to take time out to focus on ‘righting the ship’ together.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
ihg Leanne Harwood Power List women in travel Women in Travel Awards 2019Latest News
Australia fails to make top 10 destination list for American travellers
Australia's top cities have failed to make the grade with American travellers this northern summer, with no local city in the top.
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 […]
ANZAC Battlefield travel on the 2025 bucketlist
As Anzac Day dawns, agents prepare for a surge in bookings for the 110th anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings.
Former Channel 9 Getaway host and founder of TRIBE Jules Lund to speak at Travel DAZE
From blond-tipped travel reporter to Travel DAZE speaker, Jules Lund cuts through the BS.
HX’s Roald Amundsen finds aliens in the Antarctic
Forget whales, HX's MS Roald Amundsen captures aliens in the Antarctic - and they're not pretty.
Mayhem in France as 70% of flights face cancellation
I mean it wouldn't be France if there wasn't at least one strike.
Etihad Airways launches double-decker service with world’s only in-air three-room suite
We imagine falling asleep in the three-room suite is superior to falling asleep on your neighbour's shoulder.
Norwegian Cruise Line launches 2024 Europe travel season
Europe certainly has a lot of ports. Its time for Australia to up its game.
“The power of travel for positive change” – Intrepid’s Jenny Gray hails controversial all-women Saudi Arabia trip
There is an awful lot to love about this tour from Intrepid. Where do we sign up?
Princess names the Sun, unveils Sanctuary Collection + Star Princess to Alaska in ’26
A huge bottle of Veuve was smashed into the side of the ship to make things official. So no, we couldn't snag a glass.
Collette special offers across peak northern summer season
If you are craving a trip to Europe then grab this deal with both of your grubby hands.
Air India and All Nippon codeshare between the two countries
Here at TW we agreed that the photo would have worked better if they had swapped planes.
A&K offers minimum 18 weeks paid parental leave
Contrary to what the photo suggests this benefit is only applicable for humans. Back to work Mrs Jumbo.
NH Hotel Group rebrands as Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Hang around the bends of the hotels. We imagine they will be full of a lot of branded content.
Scenic Eclipse II – the business of creating unforgettable life-changing memories
These cruise brothers from another mother offer a view of cruising on Scenic Eclipse II that is poles apart.
MSC builds new hospital ship with Mercy Ships
If you want to read a story that puts a smile on your face then this is the one for you.
“I peed on myself watching this” – Social media users squirm at Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of The Seas 55ft dive video
TW is not responsible for any involuntary actions your body might have after watching this video.
FLIGHT REVIEW: Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class
The real bonus is you're unlikely to be around screaming children. Hoorah!
Traveltek offers travel agents new rapid deploy cruise website
As always, if you have any issue with the platform, just turn it off and on again.
Experience whale watching & classical music at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville
Disappointedly, the whales do not start singing in tune with the orchestra. Opportunity missed.
Fond, very Fond. London hotel famed for James Bond link adds ‘Classic Comforts’ lunch menu
James Bond author Ian Fleming was so fond if this hotel, it inspired the legendary phrase ‘shaken, not stirred’.
What sets Eclipse Travel apart with Africa expert Hilary Dubyk: Travel Weekly TV
If you want to know more about Africa, then Hilary Dubyk is your person.
Surge in Australians visiting Japan
Feel like all of your friends have just returned from Europe? Now it's Japan.
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 […]
Sydney named 17th best place to work remotely
If you struggle to get a seat within Sydney's coffee shops, you now know why.
W Melbourne grows sales team
We appreciate the thought that has gone into this team photo.
Cunard welcomes new ship Queen Anne
This might be the most impressive ship handover in ship handover history.
Intrepid Travel appoints Yvette Thompson as general manager sales & marketing ANZ
It isn't end-of-day Monday and Yvette Thompson has already nabbed herself an impressive promotion.
Anna Fawcett re-joins Global Touring in newly-created APAC role
With such an impressive CV, Global Touring is no doubt thrilled to have Fawcett back.
“We know our response has been far from perfect” – Emirates’ open letter following Dubai flooding
If you also need to write an apology letter, then this is a pretty good template.
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 […]
Virgin Australia’s HILARIOUS second instalment of the ‘Bring on Wonderful’ campaign
We don't use the word 'hilarious' lightly, but this is worthy of the title.
Visit Sunshine Coast reveals new brand identity
If you were looking for another reason to visit the Sunshine Coast then this is it.
Sofitel launches brand campaign starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson
We can confirm the content of this video is less spicy than Sex Education.
Holland America Line gives agents the chance to visit Alaska on 11-day Famil
If you've ever wanted to see a Polar Bear (and who doesn't?), now is your time.
More than 65 luxury agents gather in Sydney for Best of the Best dinner
This looks like a fabulous do. We imagine there may be a few (or maybe 65) sore heads this morning!