TDs Inspired Women in Travel Asia (IWTA)

Meet Suyin Lee – Managing Director, Discova and our first in a series of interviews from TDs Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (TDIWTA).  

TD, a leading travel trade news agency, aims to inspire more women (and men) in the travel industry with features highlighting the incredible stories of women in travel.TD, a leading travel trade news agency, aims to inspire more women (and men) in the travel industry with features highlighting the incredible stories of women in travel.  Armed with thousands of readers, TD provides the perfect platform to reach women in all sectors of travel. 

TD will be posting IWTA features on its website and social media channels.  Nominate other amazing women in travel at www.tdiwta.com

Born and raised in Malaysia, her aviation journey started as a flight attendant for Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways, when she moved to Hong Kong and sent 8 years with Cathay Pacific’s Human Factors Department as project leader.   

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-katharine-bg-onecrew

Khun Aimmy started her career as an Intern in InterContinental Bangkok. After finishing her 400 hours of training she continued to work as an Guest Relation Agent in Holiday Inn Shanghai Vista for around 8 Months. 

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-nattareutai-thanapoomikul-staybridge

Half Filipino and half Syrian, Vitna started her career with Cebu Pacific Air after she finished her studies. She dreamt of becoming a flight attendant in elementary school as she thought it would be a way for her to see her Syrian dad. She initially got rejected to become a flight attendant and felt her dreams had been shattered.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-vitna-achour-cebu-pacific

She started her profession in the tourism industry as a junior reservations officer. She was always very interested in the industry and eagerly asked her colleagues to teach her and give her more responsibility.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-arpatip-reancharoen-itc-group

Khun Anchalika grew up in Texas where she achieved a Bachelor in Business Administration and later a Master in International Business Studies. She started her career for GE Capital and the job took allowed lots of traveling and living in different parts of the world. Then she moved back to Thailand to retire by the beach.  Continue reading more 

HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-anchalika-kijkanakorn

Ha Lam grew up with her family in Saigon Vietnam and quickly found her passion learning about people in the local communities. She was a tour guide for many years which matched her passion for sustainable development and protection of each country’s natural, artistic, archaeological and cultural heritage.   

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-ha-lam

Room Division Manager Tawaravadee Resort BW Signature Collection by Best Western  

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-supawadee-chaisongkram

Senior Assistant Vice President and General Manager Banyan Tree Bangkok 

Growing up in Northern Thailand, she found her passion to be history and thought she’d be an historian. However her love for service and people steered her into the hospitality industry. Her impressive career has taken her from starting as the Duty Manager at Banyan Tree 26 years ago til now being the SAVP/General Manager.  

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-nopparat-aumpa

In 2007 Christine decided she wanted to create a Travel Magazine and with her great discipline and positive mindset did exactly that, literally the next day. 

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-christine-olivares-cunanan

Sukeerti has been working in the travel and tourism industry for almost 20 years in different roles and capacities. An explorer, product developer and travel designer, Sukeerti has also worked in philanthropy and sustainable tourism.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-sukeerti-raikwar-soulful-safaris

Background:

She wanted to be a doctor when she was a young girl to help people from suffering. Whilst traveling with her family, she found passion for our industry where she decided that the tourism industry would be her future.

CONTINUE READING MORE HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-monchanok-adhyansakul

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-gai-tyrrell-globus

Born and raised in the Philippines, Carmela brings over 30 years of impressive experience and wealth of knowledge in the hospitality industry. She was no stranger to hard work and moving through the ranks, growing up with two hard working parents who cheered their children on to succeed in life.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-carmela-bocanegra-chorma-hospitality

born in China and raised in Germany. Having an artistic upbringing with both her parents in the field, she experienced an artistic life closely.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-xuan-xu

Liz is from a Philippine heritage and grew up in the states. Early in her career she wanted to be a scientist but quickly learnt she was more passionate about people than molecules. 

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-liz-ortiguera-pata

Lily was born in Thailand and early in her life moved to Singapore where she stayed til in her late teens. She returned to Thailand for university and upon graduation moved to Japan. Her studies and overseas adventures eventually brought her to New York, an opportunity of a life-time, but not without it’s challenges 

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-lily-udomkunnatum-burasiri-group

Growing up on the countryside, outside Siem Reap, Sina had dreams of getting a good job and making money to support her family. She knew she had to study to be able to fulfill this dream. 

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-sina-lorn-discova

Growing up in a small farming community outside of Hanoi, Huong’s dream was to become a teacher. She loved reading books and going to school from an early age inspired by her uncle who was a qualified teacher.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-huong-dang-hopebox-vn

Ayu grew up in the paradise of Bali and was surrounded by her family who all worked in the tourism industry. As a little girl she dreamt of following their career path and saw how travel help people connect and how much you can learn about someone else. 

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-ayu-kristiana-discova-indonesia

Growing up in India, part of a family where a rich culture and traditions were proudly shared and celebrated and where education played a big part in her upbringing, Dr Avita found the perfect recipe for her future career. 

Continue reading more HERE - www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-avita-khawas-walkaroundiindia

From her training days at Flight Training Adelaide to volunteering at Hong Kong Youth Aviation Academy (HKYAA) as an instructor, she dons many hats

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-christina-ho-airline-pilot/

Growing up as the child of immigrants Emily learnt to become a productive bridge earlier on, something she really enjoyed doing. Helping one side see the perspectives of the other side. This interest has become what has fueled her successful career.  

Continue reading HERE - www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-emily-chang-mccann

Meet Michaela Connor, Regional People & Culture Leaders for Discova, living in Phuket.

BACKGROUND:

She grew up in Sweden and always dreamt of traveling the world. After graduating she left Sweden and hasn’t looked back since.

Her travels took her to New Zealand in 2016 where she started working for the industry that was aligned with her passion; the Travel industry. Little did she know that her career in New Zealand would last 12 years for the same company, in various roles. She found her purpose in a support role where she could best help people grow, challenge themselves and learn.

In 2018 her and her husband made the decision to move to Laos with their two young daughters. Listen to the interview to find out what got them to this decision and challenges along the way!

Today, she is one of the Regional People & Culture Leaders for Discova, a global DMC, and lives in Phuket.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-michaela-connor-discova/

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/?p=692545&preview=true

Shoba fell into the world of tourism almost by accident.  She was a science major, who didn’t want to be a doctor or a teacher, and who then studied journalism as a post-graduate.  Uninspired by the work she was able to find, Shoba was invited by a travel company to write itineraries for them, and so her travel career began!  

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-shoba-mohan-rare-india

Monika Anggreni is a Captain with Air Asia Indonesia, with 13,000 flying hours under her belt since 2005.  She joined Air Asia Indonesia in 2005 as a pilot after several false starts, and is now one of only 30 female pilots in the company.  She is also a published author, Ironbird Monika – the story of how she became an airline pilot.   

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-monika-anggreni-airasia/

Cynthia came into hospitality later in life, finding her first job in hospitality after 17 years of raising her daughter, moving up from working in a school cafeteria in Bangkok to managing a new hotel chain in Tokyo in the space of ten years.  

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-cynthia-usui-lof-hotels/

Chooleng is a Singaporean living in Thailand, working with Marriot for over 20 years and as general manager for more than 10 years. She is also mother of 2 daughters. 

Continue reading more here - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-chooleng-goh-athenee-bangkok/

Tourism and hospitality is not only about hotels, airlines and travel agents – it is about the myriad of small businesses that support the industry, adding to the variety and local colour in each destination.  Rachel O’Shea and Susie Martin, founders of the Laos Buffalo Dairy, are examples of just that.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-speaks-with-rachel-oshea-susie-martin-laos-buffalo-dairy/

Minu has only been in the tourism industry since 2016, entering with a background as a business analyst and strategist, and a passion for travel. Her first role in tourism was with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, where her manager took a chance on her, with no background in tourism, but with enthusiasm and a strategic approach.  

She worked on several different projects for RAK Tourism, including as Project Manager for the World’s longest zipline.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-minu-chawla-roadswelltravelled

Phuong leads the Education Travel department for Discova Asia, based in Vietnam, responsible for the Asia region, including Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.

She has worked with Discova for more than 11 years, developing programmes to welcome international educational groups, working with local villages and communities to teach villagers how to welcome international students, host them in homestay accommodation and work alongside them on community projects.  These projects benefit not only local communities but serve to educate international students in ways they would never experience back home.  Changing minds, and changing lives.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-phuong-doan-discova/

Sumi is a great example of how careers can grow and develop over time.  She has a business management background and has worked in education before joining the Phuket Hotels Association about 5 years ago.  

Sumi is a great example of how careers can grow and develop over time.  She has a business management background and has worked in education before joining the Phuket Hotels Association about 5 years ago.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-sumi-soorian-phuket-hotels-association

Chitra started with a Bachelors in Information Technology, and turned her back on a steady well-paid career to follow her passion for travel, which she has since built into a thriving business.

The travel start-up idea took hold in 2009 when Chitra and her partner, who both enjoyed travelling extensively throughout India, realised that so many amazing experiences were undiscovered as there was no way of finding out about them or making reservations.  

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-chitra-gurnani-daga-thrillophilia/

Mari is the first female Captain (hotel manager) for Marriot in Japan with aspirations to become general manager,  Mari Tomoda moved from Japan to Thailand as a young adult with her parents, with the intention of improving her English, and embarked upon a journey that led to her becoming the first female Captain for Marriot in Japan.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-mari-tomoda-captain-moxy-osaka-shin-umeda/

Vicki is a New Zealander who joined Flight Centre as a Travel Consultant in her home country, as ‘just a job’ and something to do whilst she settled back into home life after a few years of travelling around the world.  She never imagined she would spend the next 15 years in the industry.

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/tdiwta

#inspiringwomenintravel #femaleleaders 

Meet Celia Lao, GM Greater China Air Asia Digital in our newest interview in the series from TDs Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (IWTA).  

Since graduating from the University of Macau with a BBA (Hons) in International Marketing, Celia has immersed herself in the aviation industry, beginning in 2003 when she took on the role as Head of Marketing for Macau International Airport.  Today she is GM Greater China Air Asia Digital, and plays an integral part in the transformation of the company into a lifestyle brand.  

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/tdiwta

Meet Vinita Rashinkar – Tourism Marketing Entrepreneur 

Vinita Rashinkar is a published author, and has built a business working with different Indian states to promote tourism to the international market, in our newest interview in the series from TDs Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (IWTA).  

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/tdiwta

We are delighted to introduce you to Surayyal Hizmi, PATA 2021 Face of the Future.  

Surayyal is a lecturer at the Lombok Tourism Polytechnic, under the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia.  She is instrumental in educating students and local communities in sustainable tourism concepts, managing natural resources and developing community tourism projects.  

Continue reading more HERE - ttps://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-surayyal-hizmi/

We are delighted to introduce you to Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi – President Thai Hotel Association & Executive Vice President Sukosol Hotels in our newest interview in the series from TDs Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (IWTA).  

Marisa leads the organisational development, operational and marketing strategies for Sukosol Hotels, a family owned and operated hotel group.  

Continue reading more HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-marisa-sukosol-nunbhakdi/

Owner of Laksasubha Resort in Hua Hin that she has run for 14 years. The land the property is on belonged to her Great Grandfather HRH Prince Krisda Bhiniharn Krom Phra Naresra Varariddhi. Laksasubha Hua Hin Resort opened in December 2007 in a place with a lot of history.

She grew up largely overseas, because her father was a Thai diplomat. Since the age of 2 she has lived in France, Argentina & Australia and the latter is where she completed her high school and university. After university she returned to Thailand and wanted to enter the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be an ambassador following in the footsteps of her father and great grandfather. She started working for UN as a researcher and stayed for 7 years dealing mainly with youth and women development programs.

Continue reading HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-laksasubha-kridakon-laksasubha-hua-hin/

Juthamas Carranco (Kwan) has worked for So Bangkok since 2013, and in the Thai hospitality industry since 2003.  She balances a demanding role promoting a luxury Bangkok hotel around the world with raising two young children, yet still finds time to volunteer and to sit on various travel & tourism boards to help promote tourism in and to Thailand.

Continue reading HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/iwta-juthamas-carranco-so-bangkok/

Bonnie Leung is a passionately enthusiastic young woman from Hong Kong who studied linguistics at university, yet ended up in the travel industry after being bitten by the travel bug during her exchange student days in Germany.

Bonnie joined FCM Hong Kong 10 years ago, first as a Travel Consultant (Leisure) and gradually working her way up to the role she now holds as Operations Leader, FCM Hong Kong.

Continue reading HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/tdiwta-bonnie-leung-fcm-hongkong/

In an historically expatriate, male-dominated industry, it is great to see more and more Thai female leaders in hospitality in Thailand, excelling in many varied roles throughout the country.

Rujirapun Juangroongruangkit (Mook) is one such leader.  She studied accounting and finance at Thammasat University, Bangkok, never dreaming that one day she would be leading one of the largest sports tourism destinations in Asia.  She initially took over the challenge of managing the family hotel and golf resort in 2008, built in memory of her father.  Not content with simply managing what was already there, she began exploring ways to create an impact both with the local community and internationally.

Continue reading HERE - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/tdiwta-mook-juangroongruangkit-pattana-sports-resort-thailand/

When Malaysian born Chinese-Australian Suyin Lee, the eldest of 3 girls growing up in Australia, qualified as a chartered accountant, her family considered that to be a respectable profession. Little did they know where it would lead years later.

Now Managing Director of Discova, a B2B DMC, Suyin first joined the Flight Centre Travel Group in Brisbane in 2001.  It seemed like a good choice after completing her MBA in Finance – it was a high growth company, service orientated, and who doesn’t love the excitement of travel!

Read the full story at - https://www.traveldailymedia.com/tdiwta-speaks-with-suyin-lee-managing-director-discova/