‘LEO’ to empower women

Ekta Watts, Chairperson, Women’s Empowerment and CRS Activities for ADTOI, says that pandemic  derailed some of the association’s plans, but strengthened them in many other areas.

Janice Alyosius

Women contribute substantially to the tourism industry, but hardly receive adequate recognition for their efforts. Now, ADTOI has taken steps to create the Women’s Empowerment and CSR Wing. “The initiative was launched in an effort to empower women in travel as well as boost tourism,” revealed Ekta Watts, Chairperson, Women’s Empowerment and CSR activities (ADTOI) and CEO, Equator Tours, Delhi. It was envisioned to have a representative, a Lady Executive Officer (LEO), in each of the chapters of the association. The authorities established the position of ADTOI’s LEO in 2019 with the support of other governing body members.

The initiative aims to increase the number of women members in ADTOI in order to benefit them from the association’s activities and initiatives. “The Women’s Empowerment Cluster is still in the process of forming, and we will focus on making it a very strong and result-oriented cluster. ADTOI’s Women’s Cluster will bring together women who are employees, or even spouses, who are not professionals in tourism. These women will benefit
from events organised by ADTOI,” she shared.

The association also has a blog dedicated to women entrepreneurs (non-ADTOI members) engaged in tourism and allied services such as handloom, handicraft, cuisine, artists and travel writers. “In the future, we will continue to broaden this network and include women from every corner of the country, so ADTOI members can tie up their requirements individually with them,” said Watts, adding, “Moreover, I believe this initiative will contribute to empowering women, especially those from rural areas. The LEOs will also be taking on more CRS activities, focusing on women and children.”

ADTOI also promotes its lady members on social media platforms, Watts said.