In an inspiring Knowledge Hub Session today, Women in Travel Thrive (WITT) Founder Expedia Group North American Market Management & Lodging Senior Director Silvia Camarota and Aer Rianta International Retail Analytics Manager Mary Wyse underscored the impact of COVID-19 on workplace inequality and how the travel industry can transform to become more equal and inclusive.
In conversation with fellow woman in travel, The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Editor & Digital Marketing Manager Hannah Tan-Gillies and The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie, Camarota and Wyse underlined the value of networking, community and support in helping women thrive in the workplace.
Women in Travel Thrive (WITT) was established by a network of like-minded friends and associates in the travel industry who became deeply concerned about the disproportionate impact the pandemic was having on women and their careers. WITT was created to help reduce and redress that impact.
In the pandemic-shaped world, Women in Travel Thrive plays a vital role in keeping women connected, offering a support system for women, faced with compounded financial and emotional stress. Camarota said, “This community was founded at the peak of the pandemic when everyone felt isolated. Women were leaving the workforce at 4x the rate of men at that period.
“Across the industry, we wanted to reach out, connect with each other, offer words of support and encouragement, and find a way to create a special connection in these virtual times. What started as a support community grew into a bigger movement.”
Women in Travel Thrive was quick to gather support at a time when women in the travel sector (including travel retail) were not thriving at all. It recently held its International Day of Impact, with an EMEA Day of Impact planned soon. It also launched Empowering Bundles to help career progression for women.
Women make up 54% of COVID-related job losses and the age gap between men and women in travel is set to increase to 2% by the end of the pandemic, whenever that is.
Camarota added, “What we try to do with WITT is to find what we can tangibly do in terms of resources to bring the gender equality conversation to the table and take one step forward for change, so that the small things we do today can have a larger impact tomorrow. This community was founded on the premise that there shouldn’t be a barrier for women to enter and progress in the travel industry.”
Much more than an organisation, WITT has become a movement for women in the industry. It has launched several initiatives that can tangibly help women during these difficult times. These include the Virtual 3K Run, the Thrive Match Programme and the upcoming EMEA Day of Impact on 3 November.
Wyse commented “We really encourage everyone to join us on the EMEA Day of Impact, which is the first in our region. The topic is ‘Turning Surviving into Thriving’, which I feel is perfect for where we are at EMEA now.
“As things start to open, there is so much anxiety about getting everything running again. For me personally, without the support of WITT, getting back out there would have been a lot harder. We’re hoping to give back to the community by exploring this topic and we have several inspiring key leaders in the industry attending too.”
Corporations have a big role to play in redressing the gender imbalance and Aer Rianta International and Expedia are both leaders in that regard. “ARI partnered with The Moodie Davitt Report for a special International Women’s Day makeover and is now refreshing our a ‘Dignity and Mutual Respect’ policy,” Wyse said.
“ARI has also been focused on promoting diversity and inclusion, there’s a vision and mission there with a focus on gender balance. ARI’s Women Rise initiative is also a great initiative which features inspiring interviews with various women leaders across our business.”
Offering the Expedia point of view, Camarota said: “I’m incredibly proud to be supported by the Expedia Group, which has never been shy to broadcast its intent on gender equality and inclusion.
“One of the main reasons I was inspired to take this movement to the travel sector was because of Expedia. Expedia provided me with support and encouraged me to pay it forward. Equality starts with the support of the company and that’s how it grows into a larger conversation. Having companies like Expedia promote gender balance helps kick-start conversations on best-practice with other companies too.”
Commenting on how the travel retail industry can transform to become more inclusive, Camarota said: “Travel is a force of good. We have an immense social responsibility and the more we speak about this, the more we can become a role model for other industries and lead the way. I love that we are having this conversation now and I am grateful for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo for giving us a platform to talk about this important topic.”
“It’s all about visibility,” Wyse added. “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it. It’s also about empowering and helping others. You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start somewhere to be great.”
Watch the video to see the full Knowledge Hub Programme for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo
