WTM Women in Travel Debuts First Mentoring Clinics

World Travel Market (WTM) London 2015, a leading global event for the travel industry, will introduce one-to-one mentoring clinics, as part of the WTM Women in Travel “meet-up” event at ExCeL London.

Now in its second year, the WTM Women in Travel meet-up will take place on Tuesday, November 3, and also includes two panel discussions with leading corporate women and entrepreneurs; a keynote speaker; and a networking reception.

Organising the WTM Women in Travel programme is Alessandra Alonso – Chief Mentor and Strategic Consultant at Everyday Mentor and lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire’s Business School.

“It is a privilege to have such a high-calibre group of professionals committing their time to join the event as panelists and also to provide one-to-one mentoring support to those who book in advance”, Alonso said.

Alessandra Alonso.

“One-to-one mentoring support is, I believe, a first for WTM and possibly any travel-related event. It will provide a huge opportunity to access some of the most professional and successful female travel entrepreneurs and professionals out there and receive advice or perhaps answers to an important question.”

Alonso will also moderate the first panel discussion, called “Not for the faint-hearted:  Entrepreneurship, Resilience and the Art of Bouncing Back”.

Panellists will be Kristina Wallen, Managing Director of HarpWallen Executive Travel Recruitment; Lamia Walker, Director at HouseSitMatch.com; Carolyn Pearson, Director of Maiden Voyage; and Daniela Wagner, International Partnerships, Connecting Travel.

The second discussion is entitled “4G Leadership – Four generations of women in travel share their leadership lessons”.

It will feature industry figureheads and will be moderated by Professor Graham Miller, Head, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Surrey.

The panel will be Jo Rzymowska, Managing Director of Celebrity Cruises UK and Ireland; Carol Hay, Marketing Director at Caribbean Tourism Organisation; Nishma Robb, Head of Marketing at Google UK; Rebecca Maffeis, UK Managing Director at LaGrange Holidays; and Julia Lo Bue Said, Managing Director at Advantage Travel.

The keynote speech of the meet-up will be given by traveller and filmmaker Jacki Hill-Murphy, who wrote Adventuresses. Rediscovering Daring Voyages into the Unknown. Her book tells the gripping stories of three early female explorers who travelled to remote regions of the world in the 18th and 19th centuries, and how she retraced their intrepid journeys.

“I am delighted that so many dynamic and inspiring women have agreed to give up their time during World Travel Market London to share their expertise”, WTM London, Portfolio Conference Manager, Charlotte Sutton said.

“The level of debate and advice during last year’s inaugural programme was second-to-none so I am sure this year will build on those strong foundations.

“I urge women in the travel industry to attend to gain motivating advice and practical tips to develop their own businesses and career paths.”

GTP is an official media partner of WTM London.