In celebration of International Women’s Day, Charlotte Watson, brand ambassador at Access Bookings, speaks of her experiences and insights from over seven years as a young woman climbing the ladder in the travel industry.
Throughout her career, Charlotte has had the opportunity to work across multiple global offices, contribute to key company departments, and support gender equality in both the travel and entertainment sectors.
Joining the company in 2017, her passion for travel and cultural exploration has shaped her journey. “I’ve always been fascinated by different cultures and societies around the world and my early experiences travelling as a child sparked a lifelong curiosity that eventually led me to the travel sector and specifically the travel sector for the media industries,” Charlotte explains.
She credits several career milestones, including the chance to gain hands-on experience in Access Bookings’ contracts department, a department she describes as her “guilty pleasure.” She also highlights her experience learning to code, further expanding her skill set and strengthening her industry expertise.
As a woman working in both the travel and entertainment sectors, she has encountered challenges but remains optimistic and resilient to the on-going learnings that most young people encounter.
She says that the balanced gender representation in both the travel and entertainment industries, is empowering. She adds:
“I’ve always been proud to work in environments where all genders are respected and welcomed equally and it’s something we definitely celebrate at Access Bookings”
On International Women’s Day, she encourages young women entering the workplace and the sector to stay informed about current events and industry developments and to embrace the value of networking. “Building relationships in the industry can open many doors and provide invaluable opportunities to expand your knowledge and experiences and be around people who drive you to be better everyday,” she advises.
Charlotte’s reflections on International Women’s Day serve as a reminder of the continued progress made toward gender equality, while also acknowledging the journey that women continue to navigate. “It’s a celebration of how far we’ve come, but it also connects us to the work of women before us, like the suffragettes, who fought for our voices and our rights,” she says.
Certainly, Charlotte’s story is a powerful example of resilience, passion, and empowerment, demonstrating the positive impact women are making in the travel sector and beyond.