OVERARCHING OVERTONES: ORACLES ON CAREER CHRONICLES OF WOMEN IN INDIAN HOTEL INDUSTRY

The hospitality sector has been witnessing tremendous changes of late in terms of gender diversity with the increased participatory role of women at all levels of the workforce. The global food and beverage, and lodging industries have been proactively getting women on board down the years, recognising their important role in enhancing visitor satisfaction translating into repeat visits. This trend is however more widespread and popular in developed countries. India’s unique cultural values, social traditions, conventional customs, gender stereotyping, conservative attitudes and religious beliefs have all been challenging age-old obstacles that have largely hindered the greater employment and integration of women in the hospitality sector’s labour market. It is only from the 1960s that the women workforce in the Indian precincts saw limited presence and then slowly grew in numbers. This analytical research paper actively seeks to explore and highlight the trajectory of women employees in the hotel industry. Accurate and objective data for this investigative analysis is obtained from several leading five-star hotels in Chennai. Insights into the hospitality sector are obtained through interaction with a number of women holding managerial positions. The gathered data is decoded, and variables that help it are extracted. This research study on the work trends, changing industry dynamics and administrative challenges encountered by women in the hospitality sector can help establish gender parity by promoting a greater number of women to join the ranks and raise the profile of women in the hotel industry.