According to the Gender Responsible Tourism organization and 2018 statistics around women in tourism, in most regions around the world, 55% of women make up the majority of the tourism workforce. In addition, new statistics from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) highlighting women working in the travel and tourism industry will be available on March 6th at which point we will follow-up to confirm new data. Regardless, statistics continue to show women have a prominent role to play in the tourism industry, while the tourism industry as well is an important vehicle for women's empowerment. 

At Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold, global leaders in premium and luxury escorted journeys, we know gender-balance results in a better world and workplace. With many women in leadership roles, management positions, Travel Directors and Travelling Concierges leading our journeys. We celebrate women on a daily basis and ensure equality at the various levels on our organization with many involved in decision-making. We strive to offer a workplace where everyone has a voice, a foundation for growth and the freedom to develop individual career paths. In addition, we empower women globally in local communities, in partnership with our not-for profit foundation, TreadRight, and our 50 sustainability projects. Of note, Insight Cares recently supported TreadRight with our newest project, the Iraq al-Amir Women's Cooperative.

This #IWD2019, we're showing our commitment to female economic empowerment by profiling a few of the women that represent our organization – our outstanding Travel Directors and Travelling Concierges – as they share how they personally lead our escorted journeys with insight into their growth process. Please let us know if you're interested in receiving these profile stories. Further, to highlight the progression we've made throughout the years as it relates to gender equality and showcase key data around female representation, we've also put together the infographic for dissemination that you'll see attached.

International Women's Day: Q+As with Travel Directors

SARA TUPPEN VELOSO

Insight Vacations Travel Director – Spain and Portugal

Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you end up where you are today?

If you were to speak with many TDs, it would quickly become obvious that there is no direct path to this career. Personally, when I started in this industry, I did not know that this job would become my life's passion.

Here is a brief autobiography, followed by a list of my favourite aspects of this work.

My father was an avid traveller in his youth and worked in tourism before immigrating to Canada (from the UK), and my eldest sister is a professional triathlete who has competed around the world. I grew up enchanted by their travel stories. In my teens, I had the opportunity to study abroad, in Germany. That kickstarted my love of languages, culture, history and travel. Between the ages of 15 and 20, I studied in Germany, Japan, Italy, Greece and Québec, Canada, and travelled extensively between my studies. I then pursued a university degree in Linguistics and worked as a tour guide during my summers off. Upon completion of that degree, I attempted to follow a 'normal' path by securing a job translating and editing for a large international accounting firm. Within one year there, however, it became apparent that working in an office was not for me. During the job search that followed this revelation, a European coach holiday company, Contiki Holidays, was brought to my attention. I secured a job with Contiki Europe, which I thought would be a short stint to fill the gap between so-called serious career decisions but, nearly ten years later, I am still in this industry (working for Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold now). That spontaneous step into a new career in a new country is one of the best choices I have made. I love the work that I do. 

The things I love most about my job:

-continually learning and researching

-meeting new people and playing an important role in their enjoyment of travel

-writing talks/commentaries that will inform and entertain guests, and that bring to life the  cultures, histories and locations we explore

-organizing every facet of a trip so that each day runs smoothly

-facilitating unforgettable experiences and inspiring ear-to-ear smiles

-I have a background in theatre and enjoy the story-telling/interpretation/performance aspect of communicating information to guests

-There is no routine! I never know what is around the corner, and I love that. 

In brief, describe a day in your life on the job.

This job is one that is difficult to break down in a general day-by-day description, because every day is different. Not only that, but from trip to trip the individual guests play a large role in shaping the experience, as do weather, traffic, holidays and serendipity.

Usually, from 7am to 9pm, my day is packed with activity, communication, preparation and paperwork. I meet the group at breakfast and am available to our guests all day, whether it is to answer questions, provide commentary on history or culture, offer assistance, or simply chat. At the same time, I am continually busy with the organizational side of the trip, communicating with hotels, restaurants, drivers and local experts, preparing information (like maps) for guests, and managing the trip accounts. How I manage my time directly affects the smooth running of a trip, and therefore the enjoyment of our guests.

How do think Insight Vacations (IV) and Luxury Gold (LG) support women and their growth in the company?

Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold insist on the highest quality service, and hire skilled professionals who can meet the standards set, regardless of gender. When considering a career, young women must often consider a particular job's or company's flexibility with regard to pregnancy and family. Being a Travel Director necessitates extended periods away from home, and IV & LG work with their Travel Directors to ensure a work-life balance. When my daughter was still very young, the company recognized my need to have a certain number of days at home between trips to care for my family, which meant that I could maintain my career and ensure the health and security of my home life. I believe that knowing that IV & LG respect our personal needs and value us as individuals attracts many young women seeking work in this industry. Ulla is an exceptional example for us, too: a woman with a family and successful career who is clearly attuned to the needs of her team.  

What makes working for IV or LG special to you?

The heart of everything I do is providing the best service to our guests, and I know that IV and LG share this mindset. I love a challenge and hold myself to a very high standard. Working for IV and LG means that I am continually pushed to perform at an elevated level of excellence. I wouldn't want to work for any lower expectations.

Also important to me is the investment the company makes in our development. I receive training through the IV & LG Professional Development Programme, which focuses on honing the skills of experienced TDs, bringing us up to date with new technologies that enhance our work and opening discussions with other TDs so that we can share information and techniques.

Finally, my colleagues are a group of exceedingly talented individuals. From the office staff to the travel directors, I get to work with a bouquet of talent, knowledge and experience. We are all dramatically different from one another, connected by a deep love of travel and interest in people. I am proud to be part of such a team.  

How do you feel you directly contribute to our traveller's lives and experiences while travelling with us?

The guest is my priority in the work I do. From grand gestures of providing the group a local flourish to the smaller details of remembering everyone's name from Day One, everything I do is with the guest's enjoyment and comfort in mind. Travel is an experience with life-changing potential, the effects of which carry on long after a trip has ended. Travelling isn't easy, which is why I place importance on my organization to reassure guests that they are cared for, and on my cheer; a smile or a chuckle can be the difference between a good and a great day, and my interactions are aimed at producing exactly that. 

Can you describe a defining moment in your career with IV and LG?

I had a couple travelling with their daughter and grandson on a Country Roads of Portugal trip in 2016. The gentleman was a first-generation American of a Portuguese family and, after being diagnosed with cancer, he and his family decided to visit Portugal for the first time; this was to be a special trip for all. They expressed interest in traveling to their ancestors' hometown, which did not feature on the official trip itinerary. Calling local contacts, I was able to help them hire a private guide who would drive them to the town and guide them through. Privately, I contacted the Archives Office of the town and enquired after the family line. As all the family had emigrated from Portugal, no living members were present in the town, so I asked about the family plot in the town's cemetery. I was able to give to the family the exact location of all their ancestors from this town in the municipal cemetery. During their visit, the local guide brought them there. The family was able to stand among their ancestors and learn about hundreds of years of family history through this. The gratitude that they expressed remains with me, years after. 

What has been your favourite day on the job or your most memorable moment?

My favourite experiences with guests are the Celebration Dinners that occur on the last night of the trip. No matter where we are, having this opportunity to celebrate our new friends and experiences is, for me, always a highlight. We reflect on the great times we have shared over the preceding days, speeches and toasts are made, and the restaurants Insight Vacations chooses for these meals often represent the culinary climax of the trip. As a Travel Director (TD), the Celebration Dinner is an evening when I can look around at a room full of smiling, satisfied faces, and feel truly fulfilled in my work. 

We've seen an increase in solo female travellers join our journeys more recently. Why do you think women are choosing our journeys and what advice would you give female travellers when they're travelling on their own?

I, too, have seen an increase in solo female travellers. The level of comfort and ease with which they can travel when booking with IV and LG plays a significant role in their choice. In my experience, solo travellers tend to be interested in the social aspect of group travel. Smaller groups mean guests have a better opportunity to connect with their fellow travellers, and the Travel Director has more time to provide personalized service. With a good balance of included events and time at leisure, solo female travellers can get to know a city through the local experts and included activities before further exploring on their own or with new friends. With all the services IV & LG provide, our guests can have a worry-free, dynamic and fun travel experience, whether travelling solo or otherwise. My advice to solo female travellers engaging in group travel is to not hold back in interacting with fellow travellers and the travel director. 

BELINDA RICHARDSON

Luxury Gold Travelling Concierge – Italy

Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you end up where you are today?

For the past 20 years I've had the privilege to work as a Travel Director with Insight Vacations and more recently as a Traveling Concierge with Luxury Gold.  I often get asked how did an Australian girl get to live and work in Italy? Well, My mother used to say when I was young my backpack was always ready to go.  I've always been curious to see how other people lived, to find out what other places were like, so in my early 20's I left Australia with a return ticket for Europe but I didn't return.  I had discovered a likeminded tribe of people, passionate travellers and a Company that allowed me the opportunity to live out my passion for travel. After many years, Insight Vacations opened a base in Rome, I spoke Italian and was already madly, truly, deeply in love with the history, art, food and gorgeous landscapes, so this affair was to be continued. After many years living in Rome, I yearned for a deeper, more authentic connection, somewhere to call home and put down my roots. The quest began until we settled for a country house in the lesser known region at the time called “Umbria” and with it, hundreds of olive trees and my new passion, Extra Virgin Olive Oil. My life experiences in Italy help me to connect our guests with the extraordinary story of this land.

How do think Insight Vacations (IV) and Luxury Gold (LG) support women and their growth in the company?

In my experience, IV and LG have always recognised women equally and value our contribution to help make transformative travel experiences.  Aligned with the values of IV and LG about the “enrichment of travel”, our company help support us by allowing flexibility to suit our needs, empowerment and autonomy in our roles to provide meaningful contributions.  Our growth is also supported by the initiative of a Professional Development Programme, leading the way throughout the Travel Industry and providing the training required for continued growth and learning in such a dynamically changing industry. Above all and leading the way is our own C.E.O, Ms. Ulla Heffel, who is a shining example for all women as she demonstrates and contributes at an executive level, the leadership of our Company, Travel industry and women as a whole.  

What makes working for IV or LG special to you?

It's definitely the culture of the company that has supported me to grow professionally and has been the conduit of a lifetime of friendships with colleagues, suppliers and guests from all around the world. These people and experiences will stay with me forever because that's what travel is, an investment in memories and connecting with the world around us. 

How do you feel you directly contribute to our traveller's lives and experiences while travelling with us?

Our goal is to treat each of our guests individually, so they feel they have a friend at the destination. As we all travel for different reasons and having an intimate knowledge of the country it is the ultimate satisfaction for us to be able to connect guests with what they are looking for. At the end of a trip we hope guests feel not only nourished and enriched by the experience but also by the stories of the places we visit, the people who helped shape them and the paths we cross than can ultimately help us understand our place in the world and the life we want to create for ourselves. Travel provides this inspiration and makes us more humble, tolerant and respectful of each other.

Can you describe defining moment in your career with IV and LG?

In 2014 I was awarded Tour Director of the year.  This was the first time the company had given such an award, so it was totally unexpected. This was definitely the most defining moment of my career and I am incredibly grateful for the accolade and so proud to work with such an incredible organisation.

What has been your favourite day on the job or your most memorable moment?

A few years ago I had a request from a guest who asked if I could help arrange a visit to a small village in Sicily where he believed his grandparents were born.  I managed to arrange a driver who spoke a little English and at his suggestion the first place for them to visit was the registry office of the local church. Indeed this is where his grandparents were married and it listed an address. It turned out the house was still standing and as he recounted, with tears in his eyes the driver knocking on the door and explaining his story to the owners who not only opened the door but also their hearts to this gentleman.  It was a very profound and emotional experience for him unlocking the puzzle of his ancestry and it's then when I realized it is also about the inner as well as the outer journey.

We've seen an increase in solo female travellers join our journeys more recently. Why do you think women are choosing our journeys and what advice would you give female travellers when they're travelling on their own?

One of the exciting shifts I've seen recently is women who are passionate in their quest to travel and the increasing popularity of doing it solo. They no longer feel they need a friend or partner to take off with because it's so easy to just go.  Many of these women have made travel a “life priority”, it's not about “the things” it's about “the experiences”. Our journeys provide the platform for independence, yet they never have to feel alone as they travel with likeminded people and other solo travellers. 

My advice is decide on the places you've dreamt of visiting and just book, you don't need permission, we will take care of the rest but beware of the risk, as travel is the ultimate addiction!