“I’m a watercooler mentor”: Tourism Australia GM
To celebrate the illustrious Women in Travel, Travel Weekly will sit down with 20 women of the Australian travel industry, to hear their stories of success, setbacks, and female empowerment.
This time we talk to Tourism Australia International General Manager Phillipa Harrison, who admits she’s a mentor, but of a different kind.
Related: Shark Tank’s Naomi Simson to headline Women in Travel Awards
I’m a ‘watercooler’ mentor
This involves giving people a nudge, a word of encouragement and asking questions about aspirations.
Always put your hand up for projects outside of your job description – doing this has two benefits, it helps develop new skills and it gets you noticed.
Hard work pays off
Travel is an industry that gives you a go. It’s a people industry and if you’re prepared to work hard you can go a long way.
I’ve taken advantage of opportunities as they came up and there have been plenty of ‘take a deep breath, smile and walk into the room’ moments in my career!
Work structures need flexibility
Women tend to take longer career breaks or return part-time, and this can limit their salary growth.
I think we need to develop our work structures to be more fl exible so we can accommodate women, so their career
momentum isn’t lost.
Travel Weekly is proud to present the Women in Travel Awards held on 27 November at Doltone House Darling Island.
To see which incredible women made the shortlist, click here.
The awards night will be a gala cocktail party where we will also be announcing Travel Weekly’s Power List – recognising the 30 most influential women in the Australia travelscape.
More than just recognition, the Awards provide an opportunity for new business opportunities and network expansion, as well as a chance to learn from some of the most empowering and inspiring women in your industry.
Come along, gush over winners and finalists, and mingle with the industry’s best.
Also, big thanks to all our sponsors:
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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