Inspiring Women in Travel (IWTA)
IWTA speaks with Cynthia Usui – Country Manager for LOF Hotels, Tokyo & published author
Cynthia came into hospitality later in life, finding her first job in hospitality after 17 years of raising her daughter, moving up from working in a school cafeteria in Bangkok to managing a new hotel chain in Tokyo in the space of ten years.
IWTA speaks with Chooleng Goh – General Manager Athenee Hotel Bangkok
Chooleng is a Singaporean living in Thailand, working with Marriot for over 20 years and as general manager for more than 10 years. She is also mother of 2 daughters.
IWTA speaks with Rachel O’Shea and Susie Martin – founders of Laos Buffalo Dairy
Tourism and hospitality is not only about hotels, airlines and travel agents – it is about the myriad of small businesses that support the industry, adding to the variety and local colour in each destination. Rachel O’Shea and Susie Martin, founders of the Laos Buffalo Dairy, are examples of just that.
IWTA speaks with Minu Chawla – Founder of RoadsWellTravelled, a boutique tourism development consultancy
Minu has only been in the tourism industry since 2016, entering with a background as a business analyst and strategist, and a passion for travel. Her first role in tourism was with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, where her manager took a chance on her, with no background in tourism, but with enthusiasm and a strategic approach. She worked on several different projects for RAK Tourism, including as Project Manager for the World’s longest zipline.
IWTA speaks with Gloria Bui – Director Exotica Asia
Gloria is the director and co-founder of Asia Exotica Travel, one of the fastest growing travel agencies in South East Asia. A luxury boutique tour operator, specializing in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian speaking markets. She manages the company’s offices in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
IWTA speaks with Phuong Doan, Education Manager at DISCOVA Asia
Phuong leads Educational Travel for Discova in 12 countries so far (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Costa Rica)
IWTA speaks with Komal Darira – Courageous Change Maker, & Founder Women for World
In 2014, at the age of 19, Komal became the first female tour leader for Urban Adventures, Delhi, challenging stereotypes and expectations placed on young women in India, winning awards and changing lives. Now, in 2022, she is a successful virtual tour creator, an enthusiastic proponent of solo travel for women in India, promoter of travel as a career to young people in her native country, and running her own business.
IWTA speaks with Sumi Soorian – Phuket Hotels Association
Sumi is a great example of how careers can grow and develop over time. She has a business management background and has worked in education before joining the Phuket Hotels Association about 5 years ago.
IWTA speaks with Chitra Gurnani Daga – co-found Thrillophilia.com
Chitra started with a Bachelors in Information Technology, and turned her back on a steady well-paid career to follow her passion for travel, which she has since built into a thriving business. The travel start-up idea took hold in 2009 when Chitra and her partner, who both enjoyed travelling extensively throughout India, realised that so many amazing experiences were undiscovered as there was no way of finding out about them or making reservations.
IWTA speaks with Mari Tomoda – Captain, Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda
Mari is the first female Captain (hotel manager) for Marriott in Japan with aspirations to become general manager, Mari Tomoda moved from Japan to Thailand as a young adult with her parents, with the intention of improving her English, and embarked upon a journey that led to her becoming the first female Captain for Marriott in Japan.
IWTA speaks with Vicki Parris – VP Customer Success FCM Travel Solutions Asia
Vicki is a New Zealander who joined Flight Centre as a Travel Consultant in her home country, as ‘just a job’ and something to do whilst she settled back into home life after a few years of travelling around the world. She never imagined she would spend the next 15 years in the industry.
IWTA speaks with Celia Lao, GM Greater China Air Asia Digital
Meet Celia Lao, GM Greater China Air Asia Digital, since graduating from the University of Macau with a BBA (Hons) in International Marketing, Celia has immersed herself in the aviation industry, beginning in 2003 when she took on the role as Head of Marketing for Macau International Airport. Today she is GM Greater China Air Asia Digital, and plays an integral part in the transformation of the company into a lifestyle brand.
IWTA speaks with Vinita Rashinkar – Tourism Marketing Entrepreneur
Meet Vinita Rashinkar – Tourism Marketing Entrepreneur, Vinita Rashinkar is a published author, and has built a business working with different Indian states to promote tourism to the international market.
IWTA speaks with Surayyal Hizmi – PATA 2021 Face of the Future
Meet Surrayyal Hizmi, Surayyal is a lecturer at the Lombok Tourism Polytechnic, under the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia and the PATA 2021 Face of the Future
IWTA speaks with Carissa Nimah, Guardian of the Brand for Soneva
We are delighted to introduce you to Carissa Nimah, Guardian of the Brand for Soneva in our newest interview in the series from TDs Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (IWTA).
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