Give women more top roles in hospitality and tourism, says Jael Agyei Akyeampong

Senior roles in the hospitality and tourism industry will be held by a female majority in the coming years, a hospitality expert and member of the African Association of Women In Tourism and Hospitality, AAWTH has predicted.

Jael Agyei Akyeampong, who is the Director of Administration at AAWTH, called on policymakers to prioritize open conversation within the hospitality and tourism industry on how to get more women at the top.

“Africa’s hotel industry has proven to be resilient in the face of the global pandemic. Given the industry’s contribution to job creation and its impact on various economies, refocusing policies to attract heavy investment into the sectors should be the plan for both the industry, governments, and the private sector.”

She believes the industry should make considerable strides in terms of intern placements for women.

“As women must strive for the highest levels of success in the hospitality and tourism industries.” – Jael told Kelly Lartey Mensah in an exclusive interview at her new office at RB ParkHill Hotel.

Jael also pledged her commitment to using her current role as Director of AAWTH to help put up essential skills workshops and programs to empower women with the essentials skills to work their way to the top.

“We intend to empower more women in the hospitality industry to take up senior roles. It’s the plan for me, and the directors of the AAWTH. It will be very exciting to see this in fruition, through mentoring, and other supporting programs to get more females on top of the hospitality and tourism leadership. The future of Hospitality leadership is for women and I’m ready to contribute my part.”

Our industry needs to diversify, women should be able to afford to invest in and own hotels and resorts, brands should receive an influx of creative owners/ investors who bring with them fresh ideas, and guests should have an extraordinary hospitality experience tailored exclusively for them. – she shared.

Who is Jael Agyei Akyeampong?

Ghanaian born Jael Agyei Akyeampong is a hospitality and tourism professional with over 10 years of active operational experience in the tourism and hotel management industry.

Jael holds a BA in International Hospitality Business Management from the University of Derby, after her successful college days at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London CONEL. She also did voluntary work for Nightingale House Hospice, AVOW, and BAWSO in Wales UK.

She has worked with Travel Agencies in the UK and Xstream Travel, USA. After successful completion of her internship with JW Marriott Central London, Jael came to Ghana to work with Marriott Hotel in Accra.

Currently the General Manager at RB Parkhill Hotel in Ghana, Jael Agyei Akyeampong describes her aim of getting more women to take up senior roles in the hospitality industry as a shared commitment with the African Association of Women In Tourism and Hospitality. – AAWTH, a not-for-profit organization that was recently endorsed as Ghana’s first-ever association for women in hospitality, by the Ministry of Tourism. It was founded by Amaka Amatokwu-Ndekwu  (Nigeria -USA) and Daphne Spencer (Ghana -USA).

Connect with Jael via social media: LinkedIn: Jael Agyei Akyeampong and Instagram: @jael_akyeampong.