What it means to work in a company where women are 73% of the staff
In an era in which sustainability is no longer an option, but an imperative and inclusion is not an accessory objective, but a necessary condition to innovate and prosper, Alpitour World stands out for a concrete, profound, courageous transformation. This is demonstrated by the recent UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification on gender equality, which represents not only a formal recognition, but the symbol of a turning point impressed from within, the result of a complex and shared work. Christian Catiello , managing director organization of Alpitour World, spoke to us about this transition, telling us with passion and clarity how a leading tourism group is rewriting the rules of the game, putting people, listening and equity at the center.
“This important recognition represents an additional step for us,” explained Catiello, “confirming the commitment that has always characterized Alpitour World towards people. It is not just a technical certification , it is the demonstration that we really want to change. And we do so knowing that, in Alpitour SpA, 73% of the company's population is made up of women and 49% of positions of responsibility are occupied by women .” The path to obtaining the certification was not without obstacles: “The main challenge,” he continued, “ was to analyze our internal processes in depth and review them with a critical spirit, so that they fully met the requirements of the standard. It was not just a matter of changing procedures, but of acting on a cultural level.”
A revolution that was only possible thanks to the involvement of everyone . “We adopted a participatory approach,” she continued, “by establishing a transversal steering committee, which collaborated in drafting the inclusive communication manual and the new human resources management policy - gender equality . It was a job that required listening, discussion, and open-mindedness. And today it translates into a more aware and cohesive environment.”
The transformation underway at Alpitour World is not limited to policies. The introduction of respectful and non-discriminatory language has become a daily practice: “Our inclusive communication manual is not a symbolic gesture,” he stressed, “but an operational tool to ensure that every interaction, whether written or oral , is respectful and values diversity. This really changes the corporate climate.”
The first effects? Tangible. “We have seen greater engagement , a widespread sense of belonging and renewed motivation. When people feel seen and recognized, they give their best. This also has effects on innovation: more ideas, more points of view, more value”.
The change is also rooted in the long-term strategy for female empowerment . Alpitour World is investing in growth paths dedicated to women, to strengthen their presence in decision-making roles: “We are working on coaching, mentoring and leadership training programs to accompany our colleagues towards positions of greater responsibility,” continued Catiello.
But it is not enough to create opportunities: we must also dismantle prejudices. In Alpitour World, an intense awareness-raising activity against stereotypes and forms of violence has been launched, in collaboration with organizations such as Valore D and Una Nessuna Centomila , bringing training meetings to all locations, providing information on anti-violence networks and promoting dialogue, so that every person feels safe and respected, every day. The commitment to gender equality is part of a broad and integrated vision of sustainability , in which the environmental, social and technological dimensions dialogue and strengthen each other. “We have also achieved the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification on IT security – explained Catiello – as evidence of an increasingly responsible governance that is attentive to data ethics”.
On the environmental front, Alpitour World promotes conscious and responsible tourism : from Gstc certifications for VOIhotels , to the “Without Barriers” projects for accessibility, to the collaboration with Aic for gluten-free hospitality, the group works for a more inclusive and sustainable tourism industry. The path of Alpitour World in Catiello's opinion is clear: “Our key message is “Equal, not less” because equity does not mean standardizing, but recognizing and valuing differences. Gender equality must become an integral part of our hiring, development and leadership policies. We want it to become a tangible, measurable, lived value”.
To realize this vision, the group has doubled its investments in training , in the awareness that in a sector such as tourism, contact with different cultures is the norm. For this reason, work is underway to strengthen soft skills, to enhance open-mindedness and listening skills.
The goal, Catiello concluded, is clear: “Building a company where respect, equality and sustainability are not slogans, but operating principles . A company where each person can contribute with their own uniqueness. Because only in this way can tourism truly become a positive force, for those who work and for those who travel ”. Alpitour World is charting a new course. A course that passes from equality to excellence, that puts people at the center and looks far ahead. A course that does not fear change, but guides it. A model to reflect on for the future starting from an unequivocal concept: change is possible.
Luce
