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By Tarryn Farrell, Sales and Marketing Director – Africa, Valor Hospitality Partners 

It’s 2025. Do we still need to be having conversations about “women in the workplace”? It’s a question that I’m often asked and as a woman in a senior role in the hospitality sector, the answer is a resounding “yes”. 

Yes, women are increasingly well-represented in the industry but not at the highest level. And until we see a more balanced representation at the very top, both engaging dialogue and active efforts in this regard need to remain a priority for organisations across the industry and beyond.  It’s about so much more than being the right thing to do – though that matters too – inclusion and representation is the foundation of sustainable success, particularly in the hospitality sector where the dynamism of variety is key. 

The nuances of cross-cultural interactions, combined with persistent systemic inequalities, necessitate an ongoing dialogue to truly unlock the potential of every individual. Beyond mere representation, fostering a culture where diverse perspectives are not just welcomed, but actively sought and valued is the essence of exceptional hospitality – it’s about connection, empathy and understanding. These are qualities that are amplified by a diverse workforce and the edge in a competitive landscape. 

Empowerment through mentorship 

For all the talk of empathy and inclusion, and formal efforts to empower women, what I’d like to see more of in the workplace is mentorship. 

While there’s a strong case to be made for a structured mentorship framework, mentorship starts, more simply, with a mindset. It’s about nurturing a culture where guiding and championing emerging female talent is highly valued and actively encouraged. 

As senior leaders, I believe we all have a responsibility to share our knowledge, our skills, our experience, expertise and insights with others. It’s to ensure the sector that we choose, and love remains dynamic, but it’s also about the fundamental understanding that an investment in people is our real competitive edge. 

Mentorship has many faces. It could be personalised career advice, skills development, networking opportunities or just taking the time to have candid but constructive conversations with a junior team member. Mentorship can be an effective way to help women navigate the realities and complexities of an industry that’s traditionally been very male dominated. And yes, sometimes that includes talking about the unique but real challenges of work-life balance and unconscious bias. 

When mentorship is prioritised, we commit to moving beyond superficial conversations about inclusion and empowerment to where we can truly bridge the skills gap and develop women in spaces where they want to be and where they add value in line with their personal goals. 

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Open minds and honest conversations

The very human reality of the hospitality sector is that it is a high-pressure, always-on environment. You need to be adaptable, flexible and not afraid of hard work. It’s also best suited to individuals who don’t like staying in their lane but rather relish opportunities to see, do and experience the full scope of the sector.

Those who want to climb the ladder – irrespective of gender – benefit from getting their hands dirty (sometimes literally) because the better you understand the intricacies of the industry, the heartbeat of a hotel or the pressure to deliver an exceptional guest experience day in and day out, the better suited you are to a position of management and/or leadership. 

Hospitality is something you learn through hands-on experience, not from a textbook or behind a computer screen.  The hospitality sector is fast-paced, exciting and deeply rewarding. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to grow, in an environment charged with energy and creativity. It’s an industry that often chooses you – and once it does, it keeps you inspired and engaged every step of the way. 

Rather it’s a space that welcomes creativity and innovation but demands discipline and hard work at the same time. My advice to women looking to enter the industry is this: know that it’s going to be tough but if you’re prepared to immerse yourself fully, the rewards will far outweigh the challenges, over and over again. 

The conversation around women in the workplace remains crucial in 2025 – particularly within the intricate cross-cultural hospitality industry. We must keep the conversation going – the conversation about how to actively cultivate a collaborative culture that is underpinned by empathy, and a drive to ensure a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.

Tarryn Farrell is the Sales and Marketing Director – Africa at Valor Hospitality Partners 

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