Women on Travel: Heather Pride of Princess Cruises on returning from maternity leave and working abroad

Parenting continues to be an area where men and women’s experiences in the workplace can differ greatly. Although many companies are increasingly moving towards “paid parental leave”, it is still common for mothers to stay away from work longer than fathers. So what does this mean for things like career growth?

This interview is part of Travel Weekly In the Women in Travel series, Heather Pride – National Accounts and Trade Support Manager at Princess Cruises – talks about her own experience of returning to work after maternity leave, the benefits of working abroad and why we still need them awards like “Women in Travel”.

Have you spent some time working in Europewould you recommend working abroad?

Working abroad has changed my life and I would recommend it to anyone lucky enough to have the opportunity. Becoming a European tour guide was something I’ve wanted to do for 10 years, and finally forcing myself to go through the rigorous recruitment and training process was one of the best things I’ve ever done, an achievement I’m extremely proud of. Taking the risk of putting your entire life together and moving away from everything familiar and comfortable to do work that you haven’t done before can be risky, but for me it was very rewarding. You have a chance to become a resident of another country, learn a new language, make new friends and build a network of diverse connections. It taught me resilience, humility and patience, but the most valuable thing it taught me was how to support yourself. Not every day was easy, there were times when it was lonely, and there were plenty of comical missteps while navigating foreign lands (sometimes with 45 passengers in tow!), but I look back on those three years with a huge sense of pride and would love to do it again in the blink of an eye.

What is the tourism industry doing well when it comes to women’s equality?

When the tourism industry is compared to others, women are well represented in the sector, including at executive management level. Even when I compare my own experience to when I started in the industry 15 years ago, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of women in leadership positions. This is very important for new generations of young women entering the workforce, not only because they can be confident that they will have the same chances of advancement as men, but also because they have access to exceptional female role models and mentors. It’s no coincidence that there are now mass travel options for female travelers. From curated trips designed by women to female-led tours for groups and single women, there are so many options, with a focus on safety and special interests. This shows that, as an industry, we are making progress towards women’s equality through simple, sharp changes.

Where should he go next?

Like all industries, we must continue to strive for equality in all areas. For women, some of the main challenges we still face are the gender pay gap, loss of income during maternity leave and work flexibility, as statistically we are more likely to be the main care for both children and the elderly. It is positive that the amendment to paid parental leave comes into force next year so that super will now be paid at this time, but there is still more that can be done. There is still a huge disparity in company-paid maternity benefits across the industry. It would be great if more travel companies made this benefit a priority for employees, especially at the travel agent level, since women make up more than 75 percent of the workforce. Princess and Carnival Corporation & PLC offer flexibility and policies that protect women’s rights, so I received great support during my own pregnancy journey.

Last year was your first full year after maternity leave. Have you approached your career differently than before you left?

On reflection, my approach to my career changed quite dramatically after returning from maternity leave, but this was not necessarily intentional. Naturally, I had a lot more work to do, so I needed to be more organized, and there were a lot of new expenses to account for, so my career progression made more sense financially, but I also felt like I needed to make up for lost time. I missed my vacation. It was hard to be away for 11 months, there was a feeling of guilt for being away from work, and then a feeling of guilt for returning to work. My priorities changed completely and this in turn led me to become more focused and committed to making the most of every opportunity. Time mattered more than before. Borders too. I’m more selective about travel now, and I also feel like being a mother has made me more empathetic as a leader.

Why do we still need WIT awards?

We still need the Women in Travel Awards because it is a chance to honor and celebrate women in our industry. For the attendee, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the past year and really reflect on what you’ve achieved, and for the attendee, it’s a chance to get motivated by truly inspiring people. This is a chance to put yourself out there, make connections, find mentors, and build a support network.

This interview is part of our Women in Travel series in the lead-up to the 2024 Women in Travel Awards. The awards recognize women who have achieved astronomical success in their professional arena, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the industry through leadership, innovation and courage.

This year’s theme is ‘Follow Her Lead’ and we will champion the power of community and women in the industry working together to create the best experiences for Australian travellers.

Buy tickets HERE.