By Suman Gahlawat
The hospitality industry is rapidly evolving, offering diverse career opportunities for women. With sectors like hotels, travel, tourism, events and luxury services expanding, women can find roles in management, culinary arts, guest relations and event planning.
In the dynamic corridors of hospitality throughout the Indian subcontinent, women are quietly but assertively reshaping leadership roles and showcasing unwavering resilience. At Marriott, where I am honored to serve as the General Manager of Le Meridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR, the ethos of empowerment and inclusivity permeates our daily operations, seamlessly integrating into our organizational fabric.
The trajectory of women in the Indian hospitality sector serves as a powerful testament to their formidable fortitude and adaptability, underscoring significant strides towards gender neutrality, reaffirming our steadfast dedication to fostering a more equitable professional environment.
Our commitment to gender equity at the helm is not merely a corporate decree but a lived reality. Within our properties across India, women occupy pivotal roles as general managers and department heads, shaping both policy and practice. Their leadership is distinguished by empathy, innovation, and a collaborative ethos that enhances our service excellence while enriching our corporate culture.
Furthermore, the influence of these empowered women extends well beyond the confines of our hotels, influencing global trends in hospitality and contributing to broader dialogues on sustainable development and social responsibility. Our unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion has fostered robust partnerships with women-led enterprises, integral to our supply chain strategy and instrumental in advancing community development and economic empowerment.
These narratives of women in hospitality transcend individual achievements, emblematic of a larger movement towards inclusivity and equality within professional landscapes. As we navigate the future, Marriott remains resolute in advancing these principles, ensuring our leadership reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
As a leader and a participant in this transformative era, I take immense pride and responsibility in bearing witness to and contributing to the empowerment of women in our industry. Our collective advancement serves as a potent reminder of the power inherent in diversity, guiding the future trajectory of hospitality not only in India but on a global scale.
Let us steadfastly champion the women of hospitality, for their triumphs resonate as not merely personal victories but as beacons of progress for us all.
The author is General Manager, Le Meridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR.
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