We chat with Sonia Holt, Manager Business Development and Recruitment, The Walshe Group, on a different perspective to the ‘glass ceiling’, being flexible and keeping a sense of humour, in conjunction with the inaugural Women in Travel Awards in November.
Travel is an industry that complements a female skill set, including attention to detail, relationship building, time management, collaboration and congruent leadership.
Personally, I don’t believe in the glass ceiling. It is not the glass ceiling that holds women back but all too often a seeming default position to see their career as second best to their partner, and to take on the role of primary carer (rather than an evenly shared role). In real terms this is an all too common scenario that limits far too many incredible woman from achieving their fullest career potential. I think the camaraderie that we share within the industry is unique and special and not to be taken for granted.
Also I love the diversity within the travel industry that I have been fortunate to experience; from the airline industry to recruitment and business development and now the opportunity to represent Visit Flanders. There really is no such thing as an ordinary day.
Someone more astute than me once said “perfection is the enemy of success”. My priority is to lead by example and to be fair and transparent. I don’t believe in giving anything less than 110% but that doesn’t mean I always get it right; life is way too short to pretend you have all the answers.
Personally, the best sense of achievement has always come from times when I was out of my comfort zone and had no choice but to back myself. I think the best way forward is to work hard, be passionate, stay flexible, do things that keep surprising yourself and others around you, and above all keep your sense of humour.
Travel Weekly is proud to present the inaugural Women in Travel Awards in Sydney on 17 November.
Winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on 17 November in Sydney. Earlybird tickets are on sale.
Any queries, contact Daisy Melwani on 0401216294 or drop her a line here.
Read other Women in Travel interviews in this series:
Simla Sooboodoo, Hands On Journeys
Eliza Woodward, SmartFlyer Australia
Jennifer Vandekreeke, Carnival Cruise Line
Bella Tipping, Airline Activist
Ainslie Hunt, TMS Asia Pacific
