Ms. Aradhana Khowala, Aptamind Partners, United Kingdom
Aradhana Khowala is a visionary leader with over 24 years of global experience across the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. With a presence in more than 80 countries, she has made significant contributions to luxury hospitality, regenerative tourism, health and wellness, and gender dynamics. As the CEO of Aptamind Partners, she advises governments, emerging destinations, and organizations on sustainable development. Her career highlights include serving as Managing Director of Tourism at NEOM, a $500 billion project in Saudi Arabia, and holding influential board roles at Elaf Group and the Global Wellness Institute. Aradhana is a passionate advocate for tourism as a driver of positive social and environmental change. 🌍✨
Profile
Scopus
Based on the provided details, Aradhana Khowala is indeed a suitable candidate for the Women Researcher Award, especially in the context of the research topic “Strengths for the Award, Areas for Improvement, and Conclusion.” Here’s a breakdown:
Strengths for the Award
Aradhana Khowala has an extensive and impressive career spanning over 24 years, during which she has become a global thought leader in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Her leadership experience in sustainable tourism and her involvement in high-level strategic advisory roles demonstrate her deep understanding of the sector. She has worked with governments and organizations around the world, advising on sustainable development and driving change in gender dynamics, environmental sustainability, and inclusive governance. These qualities showcase her exceptional leadership and commitment to sustainable growth and gender equality.
Additionally, Aradhana’s numerous awards, including being named among the 100 most powerful people in global hospitality and recognized as one of the most influential women in hospitality, reflect her strong track record and significant contributions to both the industry and society. Her role in promoting gender equality and sustainability through initiatives like FiveEightTen, which measures diversity and inclusion efforts, further solidifies her credentials.
Areas for Improvement
While Aradhana has made significant strides in promoting sustainable development and gender equality, one area for improvement could be her continued advocacy for more comprehensive policies and initiatives that can scale across industries, particularly in sectors outside of hospitality. Expanding her impact into other industries or pushing for more rigorous accountability in ESG practices could further her influence as a global change-maker.
Another potential area for growth would be her efforts to mentor and empower women across broader industries, particularly in leadership roles where women are still underrepresented. While she has already made substantial progress, continuing to foster networks for women in leadership positions in various sectors could help address the gender gap more effectively.
Education 🎓
Aradhana Khowala pursued higher education at some of the world’s top institutions. She attended Cornell University in New York, Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, and INSEAD in France, where she honed her leadership and strategic skills in global hospitality and sustainable development. 🎓🌏
Experience 💼
With more than two decades of experience in the travel and hospitality industry, Aradhana has held pivotal roles including Managing Director of Tourism at NEOM, and Chair of the Advisory Board at Red Sea Global, both projects based in Saudi Arabia. She has worked for Jones Lang LaSalle and various strategy consulting practices across Europe, Asia, and India. Aradhana’s expertise spans luxury hospitality, regenerative tourism, and advising emerging destinations on sustainable growth. 💼🌍
Research Interests 🔬
Aradhana’s research focuses on sustainable tourism, regenerative growth, gender dynamics, and wellness tourism. She is passionate about integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the tourism sector, driving innovation for a sustainable future. Her work advocates for gender equality in leadership and supporting the younger generation in pursuing careers within tourism. 🔬🌱
Awards 🏅
Aradhana Khowala has received multiple prestigious accolades, including being named among the 100 Most Powerful People in Global Hospitality and Most Inspirational Leaders in the Middle East for three consecutive years (2021-2023). She won the 21st Century Icon Award in 2017, the Chairman’s Award of Global Chamber of Commerce in 2021, and was recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Next Generation Leaders by Swiss Economic magazine Bilan in 2014. 🏆🌟
Publications 📚
Sustainable Tourism: The Way Forward (2021)
Gender Equality in Tourism Leadership (2022)
Conclusion
Aradhana Khowala’s dedication to advancing gender equality, sustainable tourism, and responsible leadership makes her a highly deserving candidate for the Women Researcher Award. Her extensive experience, advocacy for positive change, and global recognition highlight her as an influential figure in driving transformation across industries. Continued growth in her advocacy and mentoring efforts could further strengthen her impact, positioning her as a trailblazer for future generations of women leaders.