Hospitality industry vows women are safe; urges inclusive participation

By Shehana Dain

Hospitality industry veterans have lobbied to clear off cultural deterrents subsequently resulting in only 7% abysmal women participation in a thrust industry.

Noting that the male dominated industry has been a taboo career path for most women as negative perceptions lurk within the local mindsets, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Paddy Withana asserted that sexual harassment will no longer be tolerated in the tourism industry.

“The tourism industry today is failing to recognise the nature and the important contribution that women can make to this industry. I consider this to be a serious issue however enforcement of policies is lacking today. We must take a zero tolerance approach for sexual harassment in the work place as it enforces a strong value system and enforces a strong value system among the staff and creates a strong thrust.”

He made these remarks at a symposium themed ‘Unlocking economic potential for women in tourism sector’. The event was organised jointly by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and SLTDA on Monday.

Furthermore Withana addressed that there are lot of issues in the industry as women barricade themselves from seeking solutions.

“Being in the industry for over 40 years I know there are a lot of issues. People don’t come forward; they refrain from saying anything. They will keep quiet and move out of the work place. The time has come to put a stop for this.”

However private sector veterans collectively voiced that sexual harassment and negative cultural norms revolving female employees at hotels is a complete bluff.

Taj Hotels Resorts and Places Regional Director Amal Goonathilake stated that in her capacity as the head of the sexual harassment committee at Taj hotel she was surprised that only 8% of complaints are from women as the majority that is 98% of complaints are from men.

She insisted that hotels are far safer than corporate working conditions. “The problem is that as for social and cultural norms a girl working in a hotel does not have the same level of respect from the society. This is very evident in towns outside in metro cities. Traditionally parents think this could hinder marriage proposals for girls. Men still believe that hotel jobs are not suitable for their wives. It all boils down to the perception that female hotel employees are very vulnerable in hotels and related activities.”

 “This is totally untrue,” she said. “Hotels are one of the safest places to be, there are clearly defined areas for each employee and overstepping this will lead to being reprimanded. Working in an office in real fact is far more vulnerable. The hoteliers as an association thus far has not done anything significant as an industry as a whole to address this issue but with the appointment of a new CEO who is female we are hoping to come up with a structured plan soon.”

Goonetilleke who is also a former Chairperson of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) said that the local scope for women in hospitality stands far below countries like Indonesia, Thailand and India.

“Tourism in Sri Lanka has seen a double digit growth unlike any other industry in the country. Unfortunately the women participation is even less than 10%, which is quite alarming. In the hotel sector the figures are approximately only about 6%.”

Taking cue from India from a scope of similar traditional values she noted that the percentage of women employed in the tourism sector far exceeds the numbers in Sri Lanka. “There are top professionals who are women in India in the hospitality industry and in the ground level you find them in plenty. The difference is that in India most of the people working in hotels are graduates which mean that the private and public sector supports a curriculum turn out graduates in tourism, which we lack in Sri Lanka. I think this should be addressed in a very strong manner if we want women to be on the top in the next five years,” she highlighted. She also expressed concern due to the absence of tourism based modules in the primary and secondary curriculums as well as tertiary education system noting that action has to be taken fast.

“The education system in Sri Lanka is still encouraging children to become doctors, engineers and lawyers while the growth in these graduates in the country is far more than the overall population growth.”

Former Aitken Spence General Manager Training and Development Amal Nanayakkara elaborating on his master’s degree thesis said that there was no evidence of internal barriers posed by the industry and women in the industry see their job role as a serious career choice. However misconceptions regarding women who chose this career path has not seen much of a positive change.

According to HR consultant female enrolment in hotel schools are disturbingly low; Colombo recorded a 21% female participation, Kandy 12%, Anuradhapura 6% while Bandarawela only recorded 1%. “Taking account the comparative evaluation of gender Sri Lanka was placed 84th among 145 countries in 2016 at the World Economic Forum. We were much better in 2011 but now we have come down the scale. The Government should and must encourage the participation of women in economic development,” he added.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara