Women deserve a better go in the travel industry, but the question has to be asked, are they helping or hindering each other?
I have a phenomenal respect for any woman who “makes it”.
It comes from having a mother who raised me on her own for a while. And before her, her mum was a survivor of the blitz in London and a strong matriarch of her family whilst my grandfather was in the army.
I hope to raise my own daughter to be strong, independent, not daunted by challenges and to believe in herself.
My mum has been of great inspiration to me and women around her.
I could bang on here about a whole stack of things that you already know of women not getting a fair go in any industry. I want to focus on a point. And please note that I’m not out to offend.
I’m always a little star struck meeting people who hold senior positions in large companies. They work hard, take risks, they can hold and manage large, complex subjects in their mind and act decisively. They have sacrificed enormously.
Last year, I had an afternoon tea with Judith Crompton from Virgin Australia and Penny Spencer is another successful owner/manager I’ve been fortunate to briefly meet. Both very, very successful women in travel and a real pleasure to be in the presence of.
For people like my mum, Penny and Judith, they have succeeded in environments where it is significantly tougher for women to achieve, often because of male dominance, ego and so on. But not always.
I have noticed what seems to be a strange trend; to me it seems women don’t respect other women and their success.
Women in the industry do band together, like for example the recent ‘Women in Leadership’ lunch.
You could not believe the amount of times that my wife, Sasha, has related information to one of our customers who then come to me to confirm the information.
For example, one lady who met with Sasha contacted me to confirm that information she had given her was correct.
This is particularly amazing when they know Sasha is a co-owner and with a matching surname to mine – there’s a pretty good chance that Sasha Luckey is related to me!
I don’t believe a male customer has ever said to me “when one of your girls came out and saw me the other week” (I *think* most blokes know not to say that).
What I’m getting at, with some risk , is it seems at times women don’t give other women enough of a chance to grow. That they seem to defer to “the men” more so than other women, regardless of position and experience.
So in researching the article, I asked my mum, my accountant Samina and a third person who asked to stay anonymous.
“Do women respect successful women as much as men do”?
My Mum, Lynn Cummings, owner of Santa Clara Hotel in Cambodia says:
“My guess to the answer on this score would be that women who are not in business themselves or have a senior role have less confidence in women as an authority on a subject.
Anecdotally, business women I meet or have dealt with in the businesses I have had ownership in – respect my judgment and ability.
On occasions there were women who were rude to the staff and myself but when my husband intervened – butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths…
I think we have to face the fact that sometimes women love the flirtatiousness that can go on between them and the male supplier or consultant.
Women are still too good at running around trying to keep the man happy, often subservient, have learnt ways to get what they want or require – and those charms don’t work on other women!
They still see the man as boss and having more knowledge and authority”.
Samina Yip, my accountant from www.tagwealth.com.au , currently training to be an MMA fighter, says:
“I think it can depend on the woman’s personality, delivery of the information and position that woman already holds in the person’s mind.
That is, most people know who I am, my role, experience and I have no issue explaining to someone (male or female) why, how or what.
But I’m confident in my abilities because I consistently challenge myself and push myself to my limits, I try to get out of my comfort zone so I can grow mentally, emotionally and physically.
We as a society do feel men have more authority than women in general and I was taught if you want something, then go out and get it and don’t rely on anyone else, especially not a man.
I compete with men ONLY when it comes to MMA because why not? Why can’t I be just as a good as man? Tell me why I can’t do something and I will show you why I can”.
Julia Gralberg, Content Director at www.karryonredev.wpengine.com, says:
“Perhaps it comes down to competitiveness.
Women are often threatened by each other and perhaps feel more comfortable liaising with men.
In turn this can cause an unnecessary divide and ruin a positive and supportive work relationship. Of course, this isn’t always the case – there are many women collaborating together and achieving great things”.
So where to from here?
Travel is actually doing a lot for the ladies. Penny Spencer is the Founder of a Travel Industry specific Mentor programme and KarryOn sponsored the ‘Women in Leadership’, which was a lunch where key guest speakers (senior women in the travel industry) were invited to share their experience in order to support and encourage each other.
