Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day, so we would like to congratulate all the women in the world and especially those who work with us every day, for being a fundamental part of this family. Hibiscus Hotels continues to fight for an egalitarian society, where we still have room for improvement. Here are some examples of women who hold management positions at Hibiscus Hotels and we would like to get to know them a little better. They are “Women who inspire”.
Nicole Winkler –Hotel Lava Beach ***** Director
Nicole has been working for the hotel group Hibiscus Hotels for 17 years, and for 35 years in the tourism sector. An all-rounder, born in Germany and in love with the Canary Islands, she captivates you with her infinite smile. Responsible, hard-working and tireless, always considering every detail for her guests and her team, she is currently the director of Hotel Lava Beach ******, and today we are going to get to know her a little better.
Tell us how your passion for tourism was born and how you managed to reach the position you currently hold at Hibiscus Hotels.
When I was 17 years old I started working in a travel agency in Germany and I have detected my love for travelling and foreign countries. I worked for several years as a tour guide in different countries and I ended staying in the paradise of Lanzarote. I worked in 3 different hotels in the last 28 years until I reached my personal challenge at the Lava Beach Hotel.
Do you think it is difficult for a woman to reach a managment position nowadays?
I think that nowadays women have more possibilities to reach a managment position, and we are advancing on this path.
What do you like most about your job?
Seeing our guests enjoying their holidays, leaving with a big smile on their faces and with plans to return to our hotel in the future. It is a unique feeling to share the happiness of another person.
What are your challenges at work? Any dreams to fulfil?
One of my challenges was to get my current position. Therefore, I consider my work challenges are to make our guests have an unforgettable holiday and to make our colleagues feel valued and respected, creating a great team that enjoys their work. In my opinion, the team is the engine of Lava Beach, if our team is happy, the guests are happy.
What sets Lava Beach apart from other hotels?
Lava Beach is a newly built hotel, modern and elegant, with a privileged beachfront location and a fresh design that invites you to relax. However, as I said before, I consider that the strong point of our hotel is the team and the personalised customer service, always friendly and attentive.
What can companies do to help empower women in the workplace?
I think that reconciling family and work is important. For example, one idea is to think about single women with children, and make it easier for them to take care of them while they work, as the timetable in the hotel and catering industry is complicated.
What would you recommend to women who are just starting out in order to reach a managment position?
Keep learning and fighting for your dreams, because nowadays it is possible.
Any woman you admire or inspires you?
All the women who fought in the past for women to have these opportunities we have in the present.
Apart from your passion for tourism and making your clients happy, what does Nicole spend her free time doing?
My husband, swimming and my 4-legged family (I take care of 10 street cats).
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I would like to continue to see this project grow, together with all my team.
Berta Sendon – Deputy Manager Hotel Las Costas ****
Berta Sendon, born in San Sebastián, began her career in the tourism sector at the age of 17. At the age of 20 she arrived in Lanzarote to do her internship in a hotel complex, and in 2018 she started working at Hibiscus Hotels. Both her love for tourism and for the island have meant that 11 years later she is still here. A charismatic woman, dreamer, fighter and hard worker, always attentive to her clients and her team, who continues to pursue her goals, as there is no ceiling for her. Below, we get to know a little more about one of the pillars of Hotel Las Costas, its assistant manager Berta Sendon:
Tell us about your passion for tourism and how you came to your position at Hibiscus Hotels.
I have always liked dealing with customers. I consider myself a very sociable person. Before studying my degree I have always worked in hotels and restaurants. Actually, my focus was more on events. I really like to organise things. That’s why I decided to study something related to hotels. As for my arrival at Hibiscus hotels: I spent a year and a half doing my internship as an assistant manager. Once I finished I worked my way up in different hotels, passing through different departments until I was given the opportunity at Las Costas.
Do you think it is difficult for a woman to reach a managerial position nowadays?
I think that nowadays things are changing for better for women. This is the case of this company, as it fights for women and for them to form a family.
What do you like most about your job?
What I love about my job is that every day is different. I am a very active person and I avoid monotony. I am lucky enough to meet new people every day and encounter new situations that make me learn, grow and motivate me. I consider that we are a big family, for me coming to work is not a sacrifice or “laziness”, on the contrary, even in more complicated moments it is my refuge.
What are your work challenges and any dreams you have yet to fulfil?
I like to learn and keep seeing new things. I feel very comfortable in this network and I would love to continue growing in it.
What makes Hotel Las Costas different from other hotels?
As I have worked in different hotels and in different positions I can compare.
What I like about Hotel Las Costas is the mentality and the working atmosphere.
I feel loved, valued and in a place where I can grow.
In the other hotels where I have worked I have felt more like a number. On the other hand, it is a hotel where I am being given the opportunity to learn and grow despite being a woman.
What can companies do to help empower women in the workplace?
There is still a lot to do for improvement.. I think they need to motivate them more and, although it is contradictory, recognise them more. Integrate them more in management projects.
What would you recommend to women who are just starting out in order to reach a managerial position?
That they should have confidence in themselves. If they are ready, they don’t have to be afraid, they just have to find a company where they fit in.
Apart from your passion for tourism and making your clients happy, what does Berta spend her free time doing?
With my friends, family and enjoying everything. I love travelling and being surrounded by people.
Any woman that you admire or inspires you?
The woman I admire most in this world is my mother. She is a brave woman, a fighter and always for others.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I used to think a lot about the future. Now I prefer not to think too much .I would love to continue to be part of the Hibiscus family, that’s for sure.
Ulrike Licht – Management Assistant Hotel Lanzarote Village****
Ulrike has just landed at Hibiscus Hotels, but we are already captivated by her friendliness and professionalism. A young, hard-working and responsible woman, who arrives at the Hotel Lanzarote Village **** to bring freshness, new ideas and a special personalised attention to all her guests. We are sure that this is the beginning of a long journey with us, so today we are going to get to know Ulrike Licht a little bit better and introduce her to you.
Tell us about your passion for tourism and how you came to your position at Hibiscus Hotels. What attracted you to this company?
When I was a child, I often played “hotel” with my sister. Somehow I always knew that one day I would live in Spain. So it happened in 2010, when I finished my studies in tourism and event management. I had always known about the Hibiscus Hotels group, I had received very good recommendations about the good working atmosphere. This was confirmed from the very first moment.
Do you think it is difficult for a woman to reach a managment position nowadays?
To be honest, I don’t think so. I know many women in top management positions and they do a great job.
What do you like most about your job?
Days are never the same. What I like most are the relationships that can develop with guests over the years, when guests say when they leave that they are super relaxed and that everything went great.
What are your challenges at work, and any dreams you have?
Every day should be a challenge to do my best and make the customers happy within my possibilities. I believe that even after more than 12 years in the industry, there are still many things I can improve and learn.
What sets Lanzarote Village apart from other hotels?
Every hotel on the island is unique in its own way. What guests particularly appreciate is the friendliness of the staff, the location of the hotel and the style of the rooms. What I particularly like is the internal organisation of tasks, the friendly and close interaction between the staff and the importance given to a healthy work-life balance.
What can companies do to help empower women in the workplace?
Companies must allow women equal opportunities in all job sectors. On the other hand, it is obvious that women who want to have children will and should pay a lot of attention to working hours and possible holidays.
What would you recommend to women who are just starting out in order to reach a managment position?
Regardless of gender, I would advise anyone who wants to work in hotel management not only to learn the theoretical basics, but also to train their emotional intelligence. Respect, understanding, empathy, patience, courtesy, compassion and organisational talent are for me the most important qualities one should have when dealing with people. This applies not only to guests, but also to staff. According to the motto “A boss has the title, a leader has the people”.
Any women that you admire or inspire you?
I admire several women at the same time, all of them family members. Whether it’s my grandmothers, my mother, my sister or my aunt, they each have incredible inner strength, a high degree of sensitivity and couldn’t be kínder.
Apart from your passion for tourism and making your guests happy, how does Ulrike spend her free time?
I would describe myself as a very active person. I love movement and sport. Whether it’s gym, running, swimming or cycling, I’m into everything.
Ulrike Brünig – Deputy Manager Hotel Floresta***
Ulrike Brünig, is one of the people in charge who works every day to make our guests feel at Hotel Floresta as their home in Lanzarote. Passionate about the tourism sector, with 22 years in the profession, she is a fundamental part of the Hibisicus family. She started working at Hotel Floresta as a receptionist. She is a hard-working woman, committed to her team and her clients, who has been fulfilling her dreams and continues to fight for them. Below, we get to know our assistant manager a little better.
Tell us about your passion for tourism and how you came to your position at Hibiscus Hotels.
I started in March 2001 in Floresta as a receptionist. Until 2012 I worked at the reception desk and then in the office, where I worked my way up to my current position.
Do you think it is difficult for a woman to reach a managerial position nowadays?
Nowadays women are managing to reach managerial positions like men, and Hibiscus Hotels is an example of this.
What do you like most about your job?
Team work and the contact with clients of different nationalities.
What are your work challenges? Any dreams you have?
To continue doing my job in the best possible way and with the same enthusiasm.
What makes Hotel Floresta different from other hotels?
My professional career has always been linked to Hotel Floresta, so I can’t evaluate the experience of working in other hotels, but I think that as a hotel, teamwork, personalisation and customer service are essential.
Apart from your passion for tourism and making your clients happy, what does Ulrike spend her free time doing?
I love the sea and swimming. I also like to spend time with my doggy family.
Do you admire or are you inspired by any woman?
Those women who fought for us to have these possibilities today.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I consider Floresta my home, and I would like to continue to grow with them.
