The new ‘LeadHer’ programme aims to elevate women into leadership roles within the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors.
- Designed by Women in Travel CIC, ‘LeadHer’ targets gender pay inequality and underrepresentation in senior positions.
- The programme includes modules on personal leadership, team management, and industry influence.
- Intrepid Travel has already piloted the programme with positive outcomes, leading to successful promotions.
- The initiative seeks to leverage the untapped potential of women, enhancing industry-wide gender equity.
The ‘LeadHer’ programme, pioneered by Women in Travel CIC, represents a significant step towards enhancing female representation in leadership roles across the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. This initiative is tailored to address the persistent gender pay gap and the lack of women in senior positions, offering an educational framework for businesses aiming to improve gender diversity.
Comprised of three core components—individual leadership skills, leadership within teams and organisations, and industry-wide influence—’LeadHer’ provides a comprehensive approach to nurturing women’s leadership potential. The programme is not only focused on individual development but also aims to foster organisational change and industry transformation.
Intrepid Travel, a notable supporter of gender empowerment, piloted the ‘LeadHer’ programme at an event in Valencia. The pilot included interactive training sessions, group mentoring, and collaborative activities like collective mindfulness. Participants set personal objectives and worked on a company manifesto, resulting in tangible advancements in female leadership within the company.
A participant from Intrepid Travel secured a managerial position in Eastern Europe following the programme, describing the sessions as ‘inspirational’. Intrepid’s EMEA Managing Director, Zina Bencheikh, emphasised their commitment to gender empowerment, noting the programme’s effectiveness in providing women with a clear vision and specific training to advance their careers.
Alessandra Alonso, Women in Travel’s Managing Director, highlighted the urgency of addressing gender equity, citing a 10% drop in women holding senior roles in 2023. She stressed the importance of utilising women’s innate skills like emotional intelligence to bolster their leadership capabilities, thereby benefiting the broader industry.
Florencia Allo Moreno, General Manager for Western Europe at Intrepid, acknowledged the programme’s role in creating a supportive network for women, particularly those balancing motherhood and career. She praised the community and camaraderie fostered through ‘LeadHer’, which has been instrumental in uniting women at Intrepid as both colleagues and friends.
The ‘LeadHer’ programme stands as a progressive effort towards realising gender equity in leadership within the travel industry.
