Nathalie Tanious, senior vice-president of one of Canada's largest tour operators, talks to us about her journey as a woman in the travel industry and the main obstacles she has encountered during her career.

It is when she began her studies in tourism techniques at the ITHQ in 1988 that Nathalie Tanious got her first job in the tourism industry. It was as a booking agent at Jet Vacations. At the time, she was working with Lina Côté, a woman who inspired her a lot, whom she admires, and with whom she still has the chance to work with today.

Since then, everything has “flowed” for a woman who has more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, including 20 years combined at Thomas Cook / TravelBrands.

As Director of National Sales and Land Products at Intair Vacations, Vice President of Cruises at Thomas Cook, Vice President of International Development and Cruises at Air Canada Vacations; she can today brag about the fact of having a rich résumé and being one of those women who particularly succeeded in the industry.

If, in general, things have always been easy for her, as she confesses, Nathalie Tanious recognizes that she had to work harder as a woman to make her place.

"I always felt that, as women, we had to work a little harder than men to prove ourselves, especially at the beginning. I had to prove myself even more to show that I deserved a job, but I was lucky because I always had the job I wanted. I have sometimes felt, while listening to comments made about myself, that some men did not believe in my abilities or were reluctant to give me certain tasks, but overall I was lucky, because I was well surrounded. I had women, but also many men who opened doors and who believed in me. Whether it's Marc Vézina, Frank DeMarinis or Zeina Gedeon, I have been surrounded by extraordinary people who have inspired me and helped me to advance my career. "

Evolution of the industry

Having been working in the industry for a long time, Nathalie Tanious had the chance to follow its evolution throughout the years. "Today, things are not the same," she says. The industry has changed a lot. When we look back 30 years ago, all the vice-presidents, senior directors and presidents were men, whereas today, that is no longer the case. Several important positions are held by women. I'm thinking of the president of Carnival Cruise Line, the senior vice-president of Royal Caribbean International and the vice-president of Celebrity Cruises; they are all women. In Quebec, we have Lyne Chayer at Sunwing and Louise Fecteau at Transat in senior management positions. It's a lot easier for women to break through, because there are many women who run companies today. I'm looking at my boss, Frank DeMarinis, who gives women an important place. He believes a lot in them. He admires them, opens doors for them, and moves them forward in their careers. Man or woman, he does not make a difference. "

To those who would like to pursue a career like hers, Nathalie Tanious recommends working hard and ... encouraging other women around them. "We must encourage our colleagues, our friends, our girls; encourage them. It's so important. I always felt that everyone around me including women encouraged me. I saw other people for whom it was not the case, but I always felt pampered. "

It is this extraordinary environment that has helped propel Nathalie Tanious to where she is today and having worked hard and had a little bit of luck, she admits. "Am I surprised of where I am today? No, because I always loved what I did, "says the one who also thought of a career in law or in the hotel industry before diving into the one of travel. "Sometimes people would ask me," Are not you tired? " And I would answered: "No, because I like what I do." I always tell my daughters: “when we love our jobs, we never have the impression to work, because we love what we do. I've always felt lucky to be able to do what I love. "