Women in hospitality

How do you view the role of women in the hospitality sector?

Women entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector are key. They often come up with innovative concepts, especially in the areas of wellbeing and eco-friendly sourcing. They have made great strides in a sector that was initially not very welcoming because of long working hours and the need for round-the-clock employee availability.

Today, there are more women in senior hospitality positions than ever before. Entrepreneur and activist Caroline Fattal discusses the role of women in the workplace and how things are changing in the Middle East.

How are women making their mark on the industry?

You see women in all echelons of the industry, from the kitchen to top-level management. They are making their mark by bringing more diversity, new concepts and different approaches to client servicing.

What are the challenges faced by women in the industry?

The traditional reply would be the 24/7 schedules, which place a heavy burden on any person, male or female, working in the industry. Yet, there are also deeper problems that women face, such as sexual harassment and bullying. This has been put under the spotlight recently with the global #metoo campaigns.

What advice can you give women seeking careers in hospitality?

If hospitality is your passion, go for it; believe in yourself and do it! Your best ally is your self-confidence, and your biggest enemy is the lack of it. Any job is a woman’s job, and you can excel in the domain you are enthusiastic about.