World Travel Market 2014, the leading global event for the travel industry, is hosting two new seminar sessions looking at the relationship between women and the travel and tourism sector.
Held as part of WTM’s Women in Travel programme, the two sessions cover very different issues; with one focusing on successful women travel entrepreneurs and the other addressing how the travel industry can play a role in enhancing the lives and future of women around the globe.
The Women in Travel programme kicks off on Tuesday 4 November, at 14.00, with successful female business owners sharing tips and discussing their individual career paths in Secrets of Successful Female Trav-Preneurs.
Speakers including Julia Feuell, founder and Managing Director of New Frontiers and OTT travel training, Mandy Nickerson, MD Hexagon Travel, and Sarah Johnson, Managing Director of PR company Lotus UK, will discuss what it takes to be a female entrepreneur in a male dominated sector, obstacles, advantages and work-life balance issues.
Julia Feuell said: “Female entrepreneurs need a lot of determination and dedication. Running a business is like gardening. You always have to plant seeds for flowers to grow and to pull up weeds. You can never ignore nor forget it! You must now and again remember to admire it!
“The audience can expect lots of tips and advice on how to succeed as a woman in the travel industry.”
On Wednesday 5 November, at 12.30, representatives from charity organisations and distinguished travel industry women will take part in Women, Human Rights and the Travel Industry – Helping or Hindering the Future of Women?
Women are being subjected to all sort of abuses in many countries around the world and travel and tourism as an industry has the potential to alleviate this situation by providing women with a way out of poverty and economic dependence. But is the way in which the industry approaches and develops in high-risk destinations helping or hindering the future of these women? What could the industry do to support them?
These issues will be discussed by a panel of speakers including Tricia Barnett, Director of Equality in Tourism; Gavin Bate, Founder of Adventure Alternative, and Nora Russell, Fundraising and Development Manager at Women for Women International.
World Travel Market, Senior Director, Simon Press said: “I am delighted to be able to launch the new Women in Travel programme. Women make the majority of the workforce in the industry, although senior positions are mainly taken up by men.
“The Secrets of Successful Female Trav-Preneurs session will give women vital tips to help them set up on their own.
“Furthermore, as a global industry travel and tourism has a responsibility to the people in the countries its sells, but is it doing enough to protect the human rights of some women in countries it promotes?”
