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23 October, 2023

Practising what you preach: TTC on sponsoring the 2023 Women In Travel Awards

Edited by Travel Weekly

If you thought the Women In Travel Awards are all about celebrating the amazing women in our industry then you’re absolutely right!

But, as one of our incredible sponsors The Travel Corporation (TTC) has pointed out, it’s also about practising what you preach. Taking strides to tackle gender inequality in the workspace is one of TTC’s top priorities, which is why the company has hopped on board to sponsor our night of nights!

Speaking on the company’s admirable move is Maria Parisi, the marketing director of Oceania at TTC, who explained the motivation behind her company’s move with a quote from renowned feminist Marie Wilson.

“You can’t be what you can’t see,” Parisi proudly told Travel Weekly.

“At TTC we believe we have a responsibility to highlight some of the wonderful achievements of women in the industry as a way to both celebrate and create pathways for up-and-comers across the travel sector, with the goal of supporting them into leadership roles.”

So how does TTC do this? The senior leadership team at TTC serve as active role models that make a conscious effort to be vocal, visible and accessible to all employees.

Undertakings such as TTC’s Mentorship Program that strategically connects colleagues at complementary stages of their career, and the Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity & Action (IDEA) initiative, which includes the Women of TTC & Allies Identity Circle, facilitate creating a workplace where women can excel, grow, and know they are supported.

And these initiatives are doing big numbers with 18 female staff members who were in the circle getting their profiles posted on the enterprise social networking service Yammer and 90 per cent of TTC-sponsored mentees for the Travel Industry Mentoring Experience (TIME) being women.

Parisi said that alongside these initiatives, TTC promotes women in the workspace by encouraging them to be open and proud of their achievements as women can be reluctant to put this forward.

“This hesitancy can have a significant impact on a woman’s career progression, with women commonly missing out on opportunities for career advancement. This habit of being unreasonably humble is actually a form of social conditioning, and it’s something we need to change,” she said, adding that this was a motivating factor in TTC’s decision to sponsor Women In Travel.

“These awards send a powerful message that we’re here, we’re capable, and we’re determined to make a mark.”

And while these awards amplify the achievements of women in the travel industry, there remains room for progress. Parisi said that a key element in solving this is nurturing skills and potential from the start of their careers and creating strong networks with supportive networks that are there for them as they develop.

This contributes to why the key to women’s progress lies not just with women, but with men too, Parisi said.

“When they actively sponsor women into leadership roles and take part in developing their confidence, it’s like they’re paving the way alongside us,” she said.

“So, the road ahead for women in the travel sector? It’s promising, filled with opportunities, but we’ll get there faster if we all pitch in, break those barriers, and make sure every woman’s journey is as smooth as possible.”

Another enormous thank you to TTC for sponsoring our Women In Travel Awards! It’s not possible without our fantastic sponsors.

To support the female entrepreneurs, rising stars, masters of their game or your friend who’s been listed as a finalist, purchase tickets here.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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