An Ode to Women’s Day

It was in the early 20th century in North America and Europe when they started to recognise and celebrate the day called “International Women’s Day”. Over a period of time and in the context of the socioeconomic and political conditions of various countries the perspective and implications of ‘Women’s Day’ have changed considerably. In 21st-century India when the status and condition of women folks have improved in many aspects, yet the issues like crime, discrimination, and abuse against women are not a rarity. Whether it is Corporate, Hospitality, Aviation, Defence, Politics, Arts or Sports – there are hardly any vertices where women have not achieved the topmost crown. These women have also substantiated the fact that in the modern days more than the State it is women themselves who have to believe in their own independence and self-respect. These women from various fields had belief in themselves and that eventually made society see them in the light they deserve. Travellers’ World is proud to talk to some of these women achievers and share their inspirational thoughts and experiences with the readers on this special day. 

Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – MEISEA, South African Tourism is currently at the helm of affairs,  spearheading initiatives of the national tourism board in the Middle East, India and South East  Asia.  Neliswa Nkani, a South African national, comes with holistic tourism experience that includes marketing, strategic government relations, negotiating, tourism, sales and investment facilitation.  She exudes passion, drive & commitment and a never-ending quest for learning. 

“ Neeti is the Co-founder and Director of Intrepid Marketing and Communications (IMC), a tourism representation and 360 consultancy firm based in Mumbai. She dared to commence and continue operations for IMC during the onset of a global pandemic and navigated through the challenges by adapting new-age technologies and providing  premeditated creative solutions to her clients globally. “ 

Q1. If you could tell us about your journey so far

Neliswa –

It has been over two decades in this industry and to be honest the journey has been exceptionally noteworthy. Since 1995, I have watched myself evolving both professionally and personally, from working at a retail company to playing a leadership role at South African Tourism. I have had several opportunities to work & learn from some great individuals, as well as lead teams as an entrepreneur. These diverse exposures offered me great insights, and rich experience as well have helped me build some great networks. Over the years, through diverse experiences, I have developed a strong network of contacts within the travel & tourism sector, particularly in key economic regions including Brazil, Nigeria, Netherlands, Argentina, USA, and Europe as well as across the African continent including, South Africa.

I have always had an immense admiration of the stunning exquisiteness and cultural vibrancy that my country, South Africa, offers. Therefore, when I had the opportunity to represent South African Tourism and promote my beautiful country to visitors from around the world, it was a dream come true. I have always believed that South Africa is magic by itself and every tourist who visits the country experiences it. My passion for the destination over the years has transpired as immense love for my job. I believe that true passion can drive a person to move mountains. The deep connection that I share with South Africa is one of the key reasons for my success over the years.

Neeti –

It’s been over three decades since I first set foot in the travel and tourism industry as a trainee. I have had varied experiences of having worked at an airline, hotels and travel agencies which further encouraged me to explore my own entrepreneurial journey as a tour operator. Following my stint as a co-founder for 14 years, I ventured into the sector of IT in hospitality and worked in Singapore and India markets for leading hotel chains until the travel representation industry beckoned me. In 2021, I rediscovered my entrepreneurial spree and co-founded Intrepid Marketing & Communications along with two other partners in the midst of the pandemic. It’s been a challenging yet extremely fulfilling journey which traversed across many domains in the realms of tourism and hospitality wherein I met a community of like-minded people from multi-cultural backgrounds around the globe. I am excited to unravel the remaining path and contribute towards making India one of the most sought-after travel markets globally.

Q2. How early did you set your goal to make it in the tourism sector?

Neliswa –

Travel has remained a big part of my journey throughout – it has not only introduced me to life-changing and meaningful experiences but has also constantly challenged me in varying situations, allowing me to step outside my comfort zone and adapt to the changing life settings. I feel blessed that I had the privilege of turning my passion for travel into my profession.

In my current role, what keeps me going is the beautiful bond shared between my birth nation, South Africa, and my second home – India. I believe that more people should be aware of the rich history, hardships, and similarities shared by both countries. This ever-strengthening bond between the two countries encourages me to push myself each day. It fills me with great honour and joy that I get to play a part in strengthening this bond between the two nations through travel!

Neeti –

The travel and tourism industry enticed me since the age of 10 as I was greatly inspired by my maternal grandfather who was a flight engineer with Air India. I was always inclined towards exploring a career in the industry and hence completed my course in tourism post the completion of my graduation. There was no turning back after that!

Q3. Being a woman did you find the journey more challenging?

Neliswa –  

The travel industry has been defined by some of the most inspirational female personalities who have challenged conventional norms and decided to swim against the tide of challenges. I have been in the global tourism and hospitality industry for over two decades now. I feel fortunate to have worked with some of the best individuals in the industry – who went past any gender biases and treated me based on my merit. As an industry, we have fared well in the last few years but there is still a long way to go until the full potential of women in the tourism industry is realized. While women make up most of the travel and tourism workforce, when you move toward the top and look at C-suites, the ratio does not fit in yet.

Such challenges are present in most industries, and one should not feel demotivated by them but look towards them as building blocks to success. Today I feel good to see myself standing where I had envisioned myself years ago. As a woman, it will be my constant endeavour to encourage more and more women to become part of the tourism industry and share in the benefits that this industry brings.

Neeti –

I consider myself fortunate for never having encountered any discrimination at work based on my gender. On the contrary, my male colleagues have been equally nurturing and supportive. However, no matter how inclusive your work environment is, society is still patriarchal which eventually impacts a woman’s holistic growth. Thus, there were occasions when my personal and professional commitments collided and my health often took a toll trying to balance both. Undoubtedly, the journey for every woman is more challenging as India as a country is still growing its infrastructure to accommodate women’s requirements. We are hopeful that the upcoming generations will be more equality-conscious and committed to curating more flexible policies to empower and enable women to have a holistic work-life balance.

Q4. What’s your opinion about the status of Hospitality in India at present and how bright is the future?

Neliswa  –  

The tourism and hospitality sector overall has displayed a robust comeback post dealing with the pandemic for two long years. After emerging from the challenges, the sector is now brimming with positivity and shall continue to maintain its growth trajectory. While travellers continue to seek meaningful experiences, their demand patterns are constantly shifting and evolving. Sustainability is at the core of all the travel decisions they make. We are proud to say that travellers are more conscious of where they spend their money, what kind of accommodation they choose, where they dine, and how they travel locally. Thus, owing to the changing preferences businesses and tourism boards across the industry are adapting and customising their offerings.

Neeti –

The tourism industry is undoubtedly the fastest-recovering sector post the pandemic and the aggressive comeback has been extremely encouraging. Even after a two-year halt, it has managed to emerge valiantly through the travel activities and movement recorded in 2022. While unpredictable situations such as a pandemic, war and environmental hazards still remain a threat, tourism has a bright and optimistic future based on the appetite we have noticed in travellers globally. The industry is reinventing its ways of travelling and making it more personalized thus enhancing the overall experience. The digital disruption and social media explosion will contribute largely towards generating more demand and make travel an everyday phenomenon for generations to come. 

Q5. What advice would you give to the younger generation who is aspiring to be part of this industry?

Neliswa –  

I feel blessed that I had the privilege of turning my passion for travel into my profession. When I started my professional journey, I could not have anticipated that I would have the chance to be at the forefront of promoting my home country, South Africa, as a travel destination. My only advice would be to never give up on your dreams, no matter how far-fetched they may seem. People may tell you that it will not be possible or that you are not good enough. However, if you believe in yourself and have a dream, no one else should be powerful enough to stop you or slow down your journey. Keep going, always.

Neeti –

I would encourage more young Indians to join the travel and tourism industry as it is one of the fastest-growing and most rewarding sectors to work in. Students who aspire to join should be passionate not just about travelling but also convincing others to travel. One skill set or specialization will not suffice to sustain in this dynamic industry thus the younger generation will have to hone new skills and adopt an integrated approach to remain ahead in the longer run. Technological developments such as AI will be an essential part of the future of tourism and thus both new joiners and veterans should be open towards adapting and embracing these disruptive changes to make travel more seamless, accessible and frequent. 

There are a number of  Indian women Chefs who are creating ripples in the culinary world with their passion and commitment to excellence. 

CHEF SHRI BALA

A food history and evolution buff, Sri Bala has taken it upon herself to prove to the world that South Indian cuisine goes miles beyond just idli and dosa. She explores all cuisines and tries to adapt them to suit a vegetarian palate. South Indian Cuisine is her forte so

She conducted a vegetarian food festival titled Dakshin Rivaayat in Trident BKC, Mumbai from 8th to 14th April 2016 under the aegis of Chef Ashish Bhasin, whom she considers her Chef Guru in the professional cooking arena. She has taken it upon herself to display to the world that South Indian cuisine is not just Idli, Masala Dosa and Sambar. She is promoting the cuisine by sharing the trivia and evolution history of each South Indian dish on her social media handle. She is very particular about the right ingredients for each dish. She tries to explain the logic behind each ingredient and the restrictions of ingredient usage if any. She is now learning several rustic native dishes of South Indian cuisine. Shef Shr Bala will be taking us on a culinary journey of South India at Jamavar.

CHEF KAREN YEPTHOMI

A Delhi-based Naga restaurateur Karen Yepthomi was awarded the 13th National Women Excellence Award, in 2020 during a ceremony organised by the Indo-European Chamber of Small & Medium Enterprises (IECSME) Yepthomi’s Dzukou Tribal Kitchen in Delhi has been grabbing the attention of Northeastern people living in Delhi, among others, for her Naga cuisine and the elegant look of her restaurant. 

Sharing the United Nation’s vision to eliminate violence against women by 2030, she said that one must be able to stand up for women “who do not get what they deserve and are abused”. As a woman, she said that when the need to raise her voice arises, she is not hesitant. “Irrespective of whichever platform we are at, when required, we should be able to do it in my capacity. There are lots of things that I don’t openly do.

Author: Jaun Shahi