Women’s contributions
vital to tourism industry
PHILIPSBURG--The contributions of women in the tourism sector are not going unnoticed as today’s World Tourism Day celebrations are focused on tourism opening doors for women.
In his tourism day message, Commissioner Roy Marlin said, “Women are an energetic and a vital contributing factor in the tourism industry. Because of them, St. Maarten is where it is – a shining destination in the Caribbean.”
He added that, because government supports women, promotes gender equality, and women empowerment, the community is better. However, there should not be resting on past successes, but building of “a fort for the future.”
St. Maarten Tourist Bureau Head Regina LaBega said in her message, “There is hardly any section of the tourism industry where women are not prominently involved. In short, women are the backbone of the island’s tourist sector.”
A quick glance at the tourism sector on the island reveals that women have not waited for tourism to open doors for them, but have actually flung wide open the doors so that women and men, too, could take advantage of the opportunities tourism offers, she added.
“Women here are owners and operators of small hotels and guest houses. They are airline pilots and managers of some of the larger hotel properties on the island. The vast majority of travel agencies are owned and run by women,” LaBega said. Also the majority of the staff of the tourism bureau is women.
The bureau head said it must be emphasised that women have attained this position in the tourist industry, not because they are women, not because of any programmatic initiative, nor any gender favouritism, but by their hard work, dedication, education and commitment.
But, there is still a lot more to be done to truly make women agents of change for a more sustainable tourism development not only on St. Martin, but also regionally and worldwide, she said. One area that deserves improvement is the condition of service, especially for women with children. Efforts should be made so that their jobs do not become a burden on their family lives.
Women’s achievements in the tourism industry locally will be celebrated at a gala event this evening at The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort and Spa. Several plaques, including one for Lifetime Achievement, will be handed during the ceremony hosted by L’Office de Tourisme de St. Martin and St. Maarten Tourism Bureau.
Guest speaker for the event is Trinidad’s ACS Director of Sustainable Tourism Jasmin Garraway.
