Contests

Global Traveler is currently running a “Female Global Traveler of the Year” contest. To enter the contest, click here. Personally, I think this is an important issue for us to address, as females still do face challenges, not only in the business world, but also in the travel industry.

During my travels, I have noticed there are certain precautions I must take as a female that males would not even have to consider. A trip abroad for me would be very different from a trip abroad for Fran. When traveling alone, I must consider my safety when planning where I am going, how I will get there and what time of the day or night I will be traveling. I am sure these are factors Fran considers when traveling, but they do not limit him in the same way they would limit me, simply because I am a 5-foot, 3-inch female and Fran is a male over 6 feet tall.

Although the height differences between men and women are not always this drastic, the dichotomy between males and females in business and travel still remains, and is more complicated than height and physical strength. Business originated as a “man’s world.” A man behind a CEO desk is rarely questioned. Even in my own experiences meeting women in upper management, I think to myself, “Hmmm, I wonder how she got here?”. When I encounter a male in the same position, maybe a male undeserving of his status, I think to myself, “I know exactly how you got here!”

This issue of questioning a female’s status, while conceding to the male role, arises because it is more difficult for women to reach higher management positions. We have to prove ourselves more, and I think this stems from the underlying, basic, back-to-nature fact that women have babies. A pregnant woman means maternity leave.

It is easy to sit and complain that this is a man’s world, but I think a more appropriate and accurate standpoint is to understand that life is unfair. Women have always faced challenges and we always will. What is important is the fact that we will continue to succeed. A woman in an upper management position will get paid less than a male, but she will probably receive more recognition because she had a harder climb to the top. In a fair world, we would get both the paycheck and the respect. I am just glad shoulder pads are no longer in style!

–Courtney Centeno, account executive