IWTA Chairwomen Michaela Connor speaks with Wannapha Rattanaphong (Oon), Hotel Manager Island Escape by Burasari
IWTA Chairwomen Michaela Connor speaks with Natthineethiti (Nikki) Phinyapincha, Founder TransTalents Consulting Group
IWTA Chairwomen Michaela Connor speaks with Putu Seruni Pratiwi Sudiharta, Operation and Reservation Leader at DISCOVA
With the theme: “Speak Up. Stand Out. Be the Voice that Inspires Inclusion” the highly anticipated Inspiring Women in Travel – Asia (IWTA) Awards 2024 returned to recognise and celebrate women.
With the theme: “Speak Up. Stand Out. Be the Voice that Inspires Inclusion” the highly anticipated Inspiring Women in Travel – Asia (IWTA) Awards 2024 returns to recognise and celebrate women. In
In conversation with the IWTA Committee, Mary Li, Founder and CEO, Atlas shares more about her transformative journey through travel. Going ahead from tough Covid times to build an inclusive travel technology company.
The experience to be able to travel and work with teams in different country has been a critical part for Angkana Yukkaseamwong – Head of Global Shared Services, Discova to deliver excellence in her role.
Brand TD, Asia’s leading travel industry news platform, has announced that the highly anticipated Inspiring Women in Travel –
IWTA Committee connects with Nguyen Thi Hai Oanh, Founder & CEO Amazing English Tour, she shares more about women in travel, sustainable tourism and growth in the workplace.
Like many Asian women, Joana Button has faced challenges in her career such as sexual harassment, bullying, and discrimination,
Nguyen Thi Huong Lien was a girl with big dreams. With 100USD in hand, she put up a small
In the 3rd roundtable discussion the panel of these fantastic 4 leaders in travel asia, moderated by Naureen covers the very important topic of how actively implementing and driving diversity, equity and inclusion in a workplace will foster innovation, happier workforce, engaged people and in the end have a positive impact on the bottom line.
Naureen is hosting the 2nd roundtable with 3 incredible women in the tourism industry. They talk warmly and passionately about the importance of mentors throughout not just career but life as well.
‘Never be too afraid to ask for a mentor and be clear of what you want out of the mentor/mentoree relationship’
Alexa Pham moved from NYC to Thailand to start the Chai Lai Orchid, an eco-resort in Chiang Mai. Alexa believes that travel can also be a force for good and have a positive impact on the destination. Chai Lai Orchid ecolodge was founded with the goal of providing job opportunities and support to marginalized women in the region
Elena is a young, passionate, high energy hospitality professional with 13+ years of hands-on luxury property management experience. Her German and Italian heritage has shaped her multi-cultural passion and enabled her to effectively lead cross-cultural teams to realize challenging goals.
On her travels, Ruth fell in love with Maldives as a destination and revisited 3 months a year over a period of time, where she would immerse herself in the local communities and follow her passion for diving.
She spent 15 years in Macau working in different roles in the hospitality industry and then relocated to Singapore with her husband. With a little bit of encouragement and push from him, she decided to take the leap and study to be certified to become a coach.
With over 15 years experience in online travel media and online travel agencies, Michelle is now the Regional Manager of Mekong Region, Booking.com based in Bangkok and oversees Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos markets.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reiterated the importance of women’s engagement in Travel & Tourism to catapult its
Inspiring Women in Travel – Asia (IWTA), a journey that highlights the incredible stories of women in travel who are
The inaugural Travel Daily Media – Inspiring Women in Travel (Asia) Awards 2023 has made the travel industry buzzing with
The inaugural Travel Daily Media – Inspiring Women in Travel (Asia) Awards 2023 honoured some of the amazing women in
The TD-IWTA Awards 2023 are set to celebrate the achievements of exceptional women in the travel and tourism industry
Barathan Pasupathi, CEO of Jetstar Asia, has been announced as the keynote speaker for the upcoming Travel Daily Media (TD)
The top nominees for the highly anticipated Travel Daily Media (TD) – Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (IWTA) Awards 2023
With a Bachelor of Arts degree in printed textiles for Fashion and a Diploma in Interior Design, Rosemarie has always had a lifelong passion for indigenous handicrafts and heritage buildings.
Travel Daily (TD) Media proudly announces Ponant, Shiji, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as major sponsors of
Khun Bee was born in Surat Thani and moved to Bangkok to live with her older brother and to start grade 10. After graduating high school, she pursued her education in hospitality at Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Bangsaen, Chon Buri.
TD (Travel Daily) Media is pleased to announce that Tourism Authority of Thailand – Amazing Thailand is an official sponsor
It’s the changing of the guard! An end of an era! Vanessa Hudson is taking over Australia’s national carrier Qantas
Nidhi started her career in hospitality in New Delhi and her career since has brought her to Thailand today. In her teens she really wanted to be an air hostess but her friend convinced her to join her for an interview when applying for a job in a hotel.
With her extensive knowledge and experience in hotel sales and marketing, GM Gomez is a great asset to the Hotel101 Group, as it expands its hotel brands in key cities both within the country and globally, as Hotel101 is set to be the first Filipino global hotel brand.
Stephanie thought she might have wanted to be a lawyer following in her father’s footsteps but decided it wasn’t for her. She wanted to do something that was hands on and that’s when she decided to opt for media design instead, changing her career focus
Welcome to IWTA’s first roundtable with committee members of IWTA hosted by Naureen Ahmed. We cover how IWTA started, why we joined the committee, the purpose of IWTA, what we have learnt, important topics we are passionate about and what our industry can do more of for gender equity. And what is the vision and dream for IWTA in the future.
ILTM Asia Pacific is set to reach pre-pandemic levels of attendance with an expected 1000 delegates looking to gather at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore on June 19 – 22
Travel Daily Media (TD) has officially launched the Inspiring Women in Travel – Asia (IWTA) 2023 travel awards.
Laura joined Booking.com in 2021, following 10 successful years at SAP Contour where she last served as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific, Japan and Greater China.
Born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam, travel has always been part of her life. her dad was a tourguide before and specialized in European destinations. Her dad always spoke to her about Lufthansa and after he was finished tour guiding he started a travel agent and booked a lot of Lufthansa.
Travel Daily Media (TD) and Inspiring Women in Travel – Asia (IWTA) have been working together to celebrate the achievements
It is high time to celebrate women’s achievements and significant contributions in the travel industry, and attending the TD IWTA
Meet Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi – President Thai Hotel Association & Executive Vice President Sukosol Hotels, Marisa leads the organisational development, operational and marketing strategies for Sukosol Hotels, a family owned and operated hotel group.
As more and more women are taking the centre stage in the travel industry, gender equality has become a pressing
We know women in the travel industry whom we admire and feel inspired by. Perhaps it is someone who has
Born and raised in Malaysia, her aviation journey started as a flight attendant for Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways, when she moved to Hong Kong and sent 8 years with Cathay Pacific’s Human Factors Department as project leader.
Khun Aimmy started her career as an Intern in InterContinental Bangkok. After finishing her 400 hours of training she continued to work as an Guest Relation Agent in Holiday Inn Shanghai Vista for around 8 Months.
Half Filipino and half Syrian, Vitna started her career with Cebu Pacific Air after she finished her studies. She dreamt of becoming a flight attendant in elementary school as she thought it would be a way for her to see her Syrian dad. She initially got rejected to become a flight attendant and felt her dreams had been shattered.
She started her profession in the tourism industry as a junior reservations officer. She was always very interested in the industry and eagerly asked her colleagues to teach her and give her more responsibility.
Amelia is from one of the indigenous tribes in Borneo called the Bidayuh (Land Dayak) and growing up in a rural area there are limited opportunities. She went off to the States to study and returned to her country, all the sudden seen as over-qualified.
Travel has already been a big part of her life. Growing up in France she would often travel with her especially around Europe. She loved meeting people and discovering new cultures, getting out of your comfort zone and this passion for travel brought her to places further away from France to explore, places like China and settled in Bangkok for the last 9 years.
Khun Anchalika grew up in Texas where she achieved a Bachelor in Business Administration and later a Master in International Business Studies. She started her career for GE Capital and the job took allowed lots of traveling and living in different parts of the world. Then she moved back to Thailand to retire by the beach.
Ha Lam grew up with her family in Saigon Vietnam and quickly found her passion learning about people in the local communities. She was a tour guide for many years which matched her passion for sustainable development and protection of each country’s natural, artistic, archaeological and cultural heritage.
Khun Nu Dee grew up on a farm but early on dreamt of learning English and using it in her career. She ‘fell’ into hospitality in Pattaya as a hotel operator to help support her studies at Suan Dusit Rajabhat University.
Growing up in Northern Thailand, she found her passion to be history and thought she’d be an historian. However her love for service and people steered her into the hospitality industry.
In 2007 Christine decided she wanted to create a Travel Magazine and with her great discipline and positive mindset did exactly that, literally the next day.
Sukeerti has been working in the travel and tourism industry for almost 20 years in different roles and capacities. An explorer, product developer and travel designer, Sukeerti has also worked in philanthropy and sustainable tourism.
Monchanok Adhyanasakul – Board Member at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel and Consultant for Grand Asset Hotels and Property
Born and raised in Melbourne, Gai Tyrrell is living proof that grit and hard work pay off. She wanted to get into the travel industry after leaving school. Thus, she ditched uni and worked for Qantas.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Carmela brings over 30 years of impressive experience and wealth of knowledge in the hospitality industry. She was no stranger to hard work and moving through the ranks, growing up with two hard working parents who cheered their children on to succeed in life.
Liz is from a Philippine heritage and grew up in the states. Early in her career she wanted to be a scientist but quickly learnt she was more passionate about people than molecules.
born in China and raised in Germany. Having an artistic upbringing with both her parents in the field, she experienced an artistic life closely.
Lily was born in Thailand and early in her life moved to Singapore where she stayed til in her late teens. She returned to Thailand for university and upon graduation moved to Japan. Her studies and overseas adventures eventually brought her to New York, an opportunity of a life-time, but not without it’s challenges
Growing up on the countryside, outside Siem Reap, Sina had dreams of getting a good job and making money to support her family. She knew she had to study to be able to fulfill this dream.
As a little girl she dreamt of following their career path and saw how travel help people connect and how much you can learn about someone else.Growing up in a small farming community outside of Hanoi,
Ayu grew up in the paradise of Bali and was surrounded by her family who all worked in the tourism industry. As a little girl she dreamt of following their career path and saw how travel help people connect and how much you can learn about someone else.
Growing up in India, part of a family where a rich culture and traditions were proudly shared and celebrated and where education played a big part in her upbringing, Dr Avita found the perfect recipe for her future career.
From her training days at Flight Training Adelaide to volunteering at Hong Kong Youth Aviation Academy (HKYAA) as an instructor, she dons many hats
Meet Emily Chang CEO McCann worldgroup China, Shanghai BACKGROUND: She first studied a degree in biology at the
Michaela grew up in Sweden and always dreamt of traveling the world. After graduating she left Sweden and hasn’t looked back since. In 2018 her and her husband made the decision to move to Laos with their two young daughters. Today, she is one of the Regional People & Culture Leaders for Discova, a global DMC, and lives in Phuket. Listen to the interview to find out what got them to this decision and challenges along the way!
IWTA speaks with Natalie Glebova. Russian-Canadian television host, author, dancer, model and beauty queen. She was crowned Miss Universe in 2005 and has since written 2 best-selling books.
IWTA gets to speak to Ewa Narkiewicz and Michelle Reedy, the two phenomenonal women doing an ‘elephant’atstic job in Thailand for the last 16 years. What started as a soul seeking journey over one trip to Thailand from Melbourne 20 years back has now become the way of life for these two incredible women.
Shoba fell into the world of tourism almost by accident. She was a science major, who didn’t want to be a doctor or a teacher, and who then studied journalism as a post-graduate. Uninspired by the work she was able to find, Shoba was invited by a travel company to write itineraries for them, and so her travel career began!
Meet Caroline Shen – Director of Sales & Marketing Renaissance Pattaya, Caroline began her hospitality career in London and the USA, having graduated from hotel school in Switzerland. Focused on learning everything she could, and taking every opportunity to progress, she was blessed with some amazing mentors and managers, helping her to build her confidence alongside her career.
Meet Captain Zephina Khanam Mohd Jasbir Khan, Captain Zephina is a commercial pilot in Malaysia who only found her passion and drive after a teacher told her to ‘be realistic’ when she expressed her desire to become a doctor.
Monika Anggreni is a Captain with AirAsia Indonesia, with 13,000 flying hours under her belt since 2005. She joined AirAsia Indonesia in 2005 as a pilot after several false starts, and is now one of only 30 female pilots in the company. She is also a published author, Ironbird Monika – the story of how she became an airline pilot.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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).
We are delighted to introduce you to M. Laksasubha Kridakon, Owner Laksasubha Hua Hin in our latest interview in the series from TDs Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (TDIWTA).
We are delighted to introduce you to K. Juthamas Carranco (Kwan), Director of Business Development SO/ Bangkok in our newest interview in the series from TDs Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (TDIWTA).
We are delighted to introduce you to Bonnie Leung, Operations Leader for FCM Hong Kong in our latest interview series from TDs Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (TDIWTA).
We are delighted to introduce you to K. Mook Juangroongruangkit – Executive Vice President Pattana Sports Resort, Chonburi in our newest interview in a series from TDs Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (IWTA).
Please be introduced to Suyin Lee – Managing Director, Discova and our first in a series of interviews from TDs Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (IWTA).
TD aims to inspire more women (and men) in the travel industry with features highlighting the incredible stories of women in travel. Featuring a new superstar weekly, the first of the ongoing series will be next week and feature Suyin Lee, MD of Discova.
