THRIVE EMEA MENTORSHIP

I decided to participate in Women in Travel Thrive to gain inspiration for my career and connect with other women who genuinely want to make a difference in the industry and in their careers. What I received was an incredibly engaged, positive, and empowering well of knowledge in my mentor, who was the perfect match for both my professional and personal profile—someone honest and genuinely invested in helping me find within myself the confidence and trust needed to look ahead.

I am beyond grateful for the day I met Tara Colpitts and the wonderful team at a networking event partnered with Expedia during ITB Berlin 2023, where I first learned about Thrive, Women in Travel. I had no idea this organization existed before then, and I’ve been truly impressed not only by what Thrive stands for but also by the opportunity to join their mentorship program, open to all women in the travel industry. They say nothing happens without reason, and I can confidently say that this opportunity is exactly what I needed! Having Tara as my mentor —a senior professional in my industry and a woman with whom I can share personal challenges and moments of doubt—has been invaluable. She continues to help shape who I am and who I want to become, both in my career and as an individual. What am I enjoying most about this experience? The dedicated space to think about my career and challenge my perspectives, guided by a mentor with deep expertise in my sector. It’s given me the chance to explore new career pathways, learning best practices from an organization different from my own. I’ve realized that we’re all wonderful human beings who can truly thrive when supported by the right network. This is why I’ve been advocating for this initiative to my colleagues at VisitBritain and why I hope to remain part of this incredible network!

Participating as a mentor in the Women in Travel Thrive mentorship program was an incredibly rewarding decision for me. As a seasoned professional in the travel industry, I felt a strong desire to give back and support the next generation of women leaders. The Women in Travel Thrive mentorship program for EMEA provided a unique platform to share my experiences, insights, and knowledge with a talented and ambitious woman eager to advance her career. It was an opportunity to foster her growth, inspire confidence, and help her navigate the complexities of the travel industry. Building a meaningful relationship with my mentee was truly inspiring. Her dedication and passion reinforced my belief in the importance of mentorship and community support. It was fulfilling to see her progress and to contribute to her professional journey. Moreover, the program’s focus on empowering women and promoting leadership, resilience, and innovation resonated deeply with my own values. It was gratifying to contribute to a cause that champions women’s empowerment and drives positive change in our industry. Overall, my experience as a mentor in the Women in Travel Thrive mentorship program has been transformative. It has not only allowed me to make a positive impact on my mentee but also enriched my own professional journey. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to support and uplift women in the travel sector.

Thank you for reaching out! I can hardly believe it’s already been six months—time flies. Being part of the Women in Travel Thrive Mentorship program has been a rewarding experience, and I’m glad to share my insights. First, I’d like to highlight how helpful the Mentor Guide has been; it was especially valuable as this was my first experience in a formal mentorship role. One challenge we encountered was coordinating our schedules. With the difference between hotel afternoon shifts and regular office hours, it was tricky to find times that suited us both. However, we managed to make it work with some flexibility. Additionally, I noticed that my mentee didn’t seem focused on actively driving her career forward at this stage. Her decisions were largely influenced by her partner’s career path, and she was waiting to see how that would unfold before planning her own next steps. This may have been due to her more junior status, but it did affect the direction of our discussions. Despite these challenges, the program has been a wonderful opportunity not only to share my experiences but also to learn from my mentee. I believe the program offers an excellent platform for fostering meaningful conversations, professional development, and strong connections among mentors and mentees alike. Thank you for all your hard work in making this program a success.