The IIPT Iran Chapter claims the importance of the presence of women in tourism industry in a message during the meeting of the Iranian Association of Women in Tourism.
It was an amazing evening in Tehran. A full house for the important meeting of the Iranian Association of Women in Tourism, where Fabio Carbone, ambassador at large of the International institute for peace through Tourism (IIPT) and head of the IIPT – Iran Chapter was invited. After the ordinary greetings to the audience and, in particular, his thanks to Dr. Fatemi, Dr. Ghiami for giving him the opportunity to join the event, Fabio Carbone started his speech by expressing his genuine admiration for the work developed by the association. Then, his compelling and wholehearted speech started. Following, an excerpt from his speech on behalf of IIPT and IIPT-Iran Chapter:
“Women in tourism. Women in tourism in Iran. This is a debate of great interest and importance for a country like Iran which, despite numerous internal and external difficulties, is heading towards a bright future. I am sure of it! And what is the link between the debate about women in tourism and peace through tourism? Well, there is a strong connection, indeed!
When we talk about peace, we are not just talking about friendly relations between states, but also about what is called “inner peace”, the peace we build inside ourselves. This is extremely important in the broader context of peace creation: how could we be in peace and harmony with others if we are not in peace with ourselves? One of the main pillars of inner peace is, without any doubt, the individual’s self-fulfillment and development. For everyone! And this is also one of the conditions for human development, that aim to enlarge people’s opportunities and improving their well-being. We can thus say that you all at the Iranian Association of Women in Tourism, are actively working, first and foremost, for the achievement of inner peace. And this is, in my eyes, where your work meets our work at the International Institute for peace Through Tourism (IIPT).
Keeping all this in mind, the IIPT and in particular the IIPT-Iran Chapter is indeed keen to promote the success and affirmation of women in tourism. In this sense I had recently proposed a workshop on this topic, Women in Tourism in Iran, and we are currently working on it in collaboration with some specialist from the University of Tehran and with our important partner, the Museum of Islamic Revolution and Holy Defense in Tehran. And I take the opportunity of my presence here to officially invite you to join us and actively participate in this event.
I have been to Iran several times, and I have the privilege of working with many of your colleagues, women in tourism. Narges, Atieh, Sammie, Sarah, Fazileh, Shabnam, Neda, Sholeh, Leili, Talieh, Anahita, Taereh … They are not just names, they – and you all – are making the history of your country, in terms of female presence in tourism! What a women! What a passion they put in their work! What a success! What a pride for Iran!!!
Now, I would just like to make a couple of considerations. First, let us remember that the concept of “glass roof”, that is, that limits which many times is transparent, but does exist and prevent women from cultivating their own professional potential, well this is not an Iranian issue. This is a global one. It is important to keep this in mind, to be aware you are involved in a global debate with the possibility to compare your point of view with the rest of the world. And to share examples and opinions not with the person sitting next to you, but with women who run tour operators, agencies or hotels on the other side of the globe. Because they’re keen to talk exactly about the same things! They are keen to talk to you!!! This is global cooperation. This is women, in the context of global cooperation!
The other consideration is about the main concern of working women, particularly for women who works in such a complex field like tourism. It refers to the conciliation between the care and attention to family and their professional positions. Also in this case I believe that the work that your association is developing is of extreme importance, because in order to reduce this concern about the balance family/work, important measures have to be implemented that guarantee “real” opportunities to women. But the creation of these measures depends on the existence of an interlocutor between the community and the institutions. It is the result of your work as interface. You have thus the extremely delicate task to promote this epochal change.
Anyway, I would also like to add a final remark in this respect, and to end my message, today: I’ve travelled a lot in my life, and almost always for work. I know quite something about organizations worldwide, thus. And I can guarantee you that Iran is one of the countries where I see more female presence in the offices, universities, and in the companies, after all. Of course, there is the need to talk about equal opportunities within the labour market, and about policies to balance the presence in the family and at work, as we said. But generally speaking, it seems to me that Iran is on the right path, the right way has already been taken, and the country (the institutions, the associations, the community) is compact in this. Because your culture, is a culture of peace. Starting from the inner peace! Let just continue on this path, then. Together! Future generations, our dear children, are asking for it. History is watching! So, togheter, let’s make it! Baraye zanone irani! Baraye Iran!!! Inshallah!!!”
