All women in the travel and tourism industry should act as role models for their female colleagues to help them succeed in their careers, according to a panel debate at this year’s Women 1st conference.
Speaking at the organisation’s third annual conference in London, panellists urged women to be confident, believe in themselves, and not focus so heavily on image, in order to achieve their professional goals.
Fashion commentator and broadcaster Caryn Franklin said: “There is a derth of female role models but we can all be role models for the women around us. I have my mentors, but I know I can be a mentor for others and that may easily be the most effective thing we can do.”
Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International Europe, said employers in the industry had a role to play in helping women to “come out of their shells” to achieve their potential.
She added: “We need to be ourselves. The more confident you are in the workplace and the more positive feedback you get, you will come out of your shell. Your leaders can really help in that.”
Kathryn Jacob, chief executive of Pearl & Dean, urged women to get their voices heard in meetings. “Ask a question early on, don’t wait for the optimum moment. Our issue is about just being confident. The only person thinking about you is you. We think everyone is looking at us, but they aren’t.”
Frankin, who has an MBE for services to body image and diversity in fashion, said the fact today’s culture continues to be male-led was one reason why “women don’t put their hands up so readily”.
McPherson argued there was a need for society, and women in particular, to be less focused on image.
“When I got this role my peers were men and after I spoke at a global general managers conference I got great feedback from my boss but the women in the audience were commenting on my hair or the fact they didn’t like my shoes.
“I was really disappointed by that. No-one commented on the fact the man next to me was overweight. We have to break this pattern ourselves.”
Psychologist Linda Papadopolous argued the obsession with image could change. “We can change it with the right role models and ideas,” she added.
Women 1st director Simone Roche said the debate highlighted the importance of women unlocking their own potential, the theme of this year’s conference.
“We need to look at ourselves. We all have to really identify with the fact that we are role models,” she added.
Women 1st, run by sector skills council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism People 1st, runs its own mentoring programme for women in the industry.