TW chats with Women in Travel Sponsor, Accor Hotels

TW chats with Women in Travel Sponsor, Accor Hotels

THE INAUGURAL WOMEN IN TRAVEL AWARDS ARE STEAMROLLING ALONG WITH ENTRIES CLOSING ON 6 OCTOBER. ONE MAJOR SPONSOR OF THE EVENT IS NONE OTHER THAN ACCOR HOTELS.

Accor Hotels need no introduction in this market, with over 4,000 hotels in more than 90 countries stretching across all continents.

With offices in all corners of the globe, Accor Hotels operates brands for every traveller. The group’s brand portfolio has seen expansion in recent years and currently includes Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, onefinestay, MGallery, Grand Mercure, The Sebel, Pullman, Swissôtel, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Mama Shelter, Adagio / Adagio Access, ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget, hotelF1, and Thalassa sea & spa.

Travel Weekly caught up with Accor Hotels Director of Communications Accor Pacific, Ginni Post, to chat about their sponsorship of Women in Travel. ginni-post-profile-pic

What does the Women in Travel event mean to you?

It’s an opportunity to celebrate and recognise all women, regardless of age, life or career-stage and the contributions we bring to the travel and tourism industry.

Why did Accor Hotels sponsor the event?

Sponsoring the Women in Travel event was an easy decision and a great fit for AccorHotels as we continue to embrace diversity in our business. As Australia’s largest hotel operator, we have a commitment to achieving greater gender diversity within our group, particularly in senior management. As part of this, we have developed a Strategic Leaders Development Program for our high potential female leaders to help them develop new skills in the areas of leadership, strategic planning and analysis and business improvement.

Over the last 12 months it’s been terrific to see over 10 leading ladies realise their potential as hotel general managers, including our first Indigenous general manager who is also female.

This is the inaugural Women in Travel Awards in Australia. Why do you think this is an important event the travel industry should embrace?

Our industry is so dynamic and it’s constantly changing and innovating with the times, and so I think it’s important to recognise the female talent who are trail blazers in our industry helping to shape the new future of our industry. Now more than ever we are starting to see travel and tourism come to the fore as a key contributor to the Australian economy, when other industries are in decline, and it’s only right that we celebrate our achievements.

What are you looking forward to most about the event?

I think seeing the travel industry come together and celebrate women across all disciplines and ages will be exciting. We need more opportunities like this for younger, up and coming talent to see the how their future career in tourism could look and be inspired by those ladies who are paving the way.

What’s the most important thing to focus on when it comes to women’s role in the travel industry?

It’s about maintaining the balance of thought around the boardroom table, and having the ideas, and contributions of women in our industry fully heard and understood. We know that companies produce better outcomes (and better profits) when there is equal representation in decision-making.

Entries are now open across a range of 18 categories. Entrants can self-nominate to go into the running in one (or more) categories, all entries are free and close on 6 October.

Also, if you know any inspirational Women in Travel, acknowledge their excellence by nominating them to enter the awards. Simply email nominations@womenintravel.com.au with their name(s), email address and what category they should enter.

Awards will be presented at a gala cocktail function on 17 November in Sydney – reserve your seat now with Earlybird rates on offer.

For all queries or sponsorships contact Daisy Melwani on 0401 216 294 or daisy@travelweekly.com.au 

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