Wonder Women in Hospitality, a series by Swara.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new series, "Wonder Women in Hospitality" by Swara. Our goal is to raise awareness about the incredible women entrepreneurs who are making their mark in the hospitality sector in India. Through their stories of grit, perseverance, and adventure, we hope to inspire and motivate these trailblazing women to achieve even greater success, while also encouraging more women to join their ranks as entrepreneurs. Join us as we celebrate these remarkable Wonder Women in Hospitality!

We need more women entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry in India! Data suggests that there is a lack of female representation in this sector while the benefits of having women leaders are multifold. There are many initiatives by the government and independent organizations that are encouraging more women to become entrepreneurs and we want to play our part in shaping the positive story of the future by telling the stories of successful women entrepreneurs.

There is some evidence to suggest that there is a lack of women entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector in India, although the situation is improving slowly. According to a study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), only 17 percent of hotel owners and operators in India are women, and they tend to be concentrated in the budget and mid-market segments of the industry. In the luxury segment, women are still underrepresented. 

There are several reasons why having more women entrepreneurs in the travel and hospitality industry in India can have a positive impact on the sector and on society as a whole:  

1. Economic empowerment: Women entrepreneurs can contribute to the economic empowerment of women in India, which can help to reduce poverty and improve the standard of living for women and their families. 
2. Innovation: Women entrepreneurs can bring new ideas and perspectives to the industry, leading to greater innovation and creativity in the development of tourism products and services. 
3. Diverse leadership: Women entrepreneurs can contribute to more diverse leadership in the industry, which can lead to better decision-making and more inclusive business practices. 
4. Job creation: Women entrepreneurs can create job opportunities for other women and for men in the industry, helping to address unemployment and underemployment in India. 
5. Social impact: Women entrepreneurs can contribute to social impact by developing sustainable and responsible tourism practices that benefit local communities and protect the environment. 

Now there are examples of successful women entrepreneurs who have established and run their own homestays in India. For example, the "Mahila Haat" initiative launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development supports women's economic empowerment by providing them with training, market linkages, and financial assistance to start their own businesses, including homestays. 

To further support women entrepreneurs in the homestay sector in India, the following steps could be taken:  

1. Provide training and support: Providing training and support to women entrepreneurs on business planning, marketing, and financial management can help them overcome the barriers to starting and running a homestay. 
2. Access to finance: Access to finance is often a major barrier for women entrepreneurs. Governments and financial institutions could provide financial assistance, such as loans or grants, to support women entrepreneurs in establishing and growing their homestays. 
3. Promote gender equality: Promoting gender equality and challenging gender stereotypes and biases can help create a more inclusive environment for women entrepreneurs in the homestay sector. 
4. Create awareness: Creating awareness about the potential benefits of homestays for both tourists and local communities can help encourage more women entrepreneurs to enter the sector.

We are launching this series of stories to create awareness about women entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector in India! We hope that telling their stories of grit, perseverance and adventure will encourage them to reach new heights while also encouraging more fellow women to become entrepreneurs.