Female Travel Leaders Convene in Riviera Maya for Industry Summit

Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo — The eighth edition of the Female Leaders in Travel Conclave brought together 55 women travel agency owners, executives, and entrepreneurs from the United States and Canada in the Mexican Caribbean, organizers said.

The private event, held this week in the Riviera Maya, brought together members of the Travel Allies Society, an exclusive international community of leading North American travel agency owners and executives. The meeting was designed to foster strategic exchanges, analyze global industry challenges, and strengthen leadership skills among women in key tourism positions.

Dolores López Lira, president of the Grupo Lomas Council, shared the company’s experience developing high-impact tourism projects and spoke about how female leadership can drive economic growth, innovation, and community well-being.

“Tourism is an industry that transforms lives and creates opportunities,” López Lira said. “When more women participate in decision-making, companies grow stronger, communities thrive, and development becomes more sustainable and inclusive. Hosting this important gathering allowed us to share our vision of hospitality and show that leadership is also built by collaborating, inspiring, and paving the way for new generations.”

A highlight of the event was the presentation of #SaveHer, an international movement aimed at increasing female representation in the tourism ecosystem through mentorship, professional development, and support networks among women leaders.

During working sessions, attendees took part in conferences, panel discussions, and collaborative workshops focused on four strategic areas: incorporating artificial intelligence into travel agencies without sacrificing personalized service; building resilient leadership in the face of global economic shifts; developing new commercialization models to strengthen profitability; and fostering strategic alliances between North American travel agencies and tourism companies in the Mexican Caribbean.

The program also included cultural immersion activities, giving participants a firsthand look at the region’s tourism offerings and hospitality.

Travel Allies Society, chaired by Jennifer Doncsecz, describes itself as an exclusive community of travel industry leaders. Its acronym stands for Loyal and Aligned Leaders who Inspire, Educate, and Support, reflecting its focus on corporate leadership development, mentorship, philanthropy, and professional growth within the travel industry.