VENUE FEATURE: CRADLE MOUNTAIN HOTEL Photo Credit: Paul Pichugin
“People listen to your perspective, your opinion, and they recognise your strengths. It is good to be working somewhere and not feeling different in terms of gender.” Pemika Apichanangkool
ONE Tasmanian employer is leading the charge when it comes to providing opportunities for women in the hospitality sector. Improving gender equality in leadership positions is a topic at the forefront of every industry. Hospitality is no exception, and one of Tasmania’s most recognised establishments is arguably paving the way for women in prominent roles. Hot tourist destination Cradle Mountain Hotel has 38 employees, of which 57 per cent are female. But of more note is the number of those in frontline jobs. The site’s head chef and sous chef, the housekeeping manager and supervisor, front office manager as well as the restaurant-bar manager and supervisor are all female. Pemika Apichanangkool, who oversees the day to day running of the restaurant and bar, joined the Cradle team last August. Despite having a background in science – graduating with a PhD in life science – a love of travel and hospitality saw her gravitate into the industry while still living in Sydney. Four years ago she travelled to Tasmania and instantly decided it was where she wanted to establish herself. Apichanangkool describes the working environment at Cradle Mountain as the perfect mix where gender is a non-factor. “I love travel and meeting people, I love to share my journey and stories and wish that everyone can explore and see the beauty of the destinations I’ve visited like I do,” she says. “I got an opportunity to work in travel and hospitality business and that’s when I found my true passion and opportunities to bring my intuitive skills to be my strengths. “You just feel as a team, both male and female leaders here, we just fill the gaps in terms of strengths and weaknesses. “People listen to your perspective, your opinion, and they recognise your strengths.
“It is good to be working somewhere and not feeling different in terms of gender.” Jacinta Whyman is also part of the leadership team as housekeeping manager. The 19-year-old started at the venue four years ago to earn some money while still at school but has since climbed the ladder into a role she thoroughly enjoys. “I started as a housekeeper working weekends as I had school as well, from there I moved up into a supervisor role and now I have moved to the manager role as housekeeper,” Whyman says. “My sister was the manager of housekeeping, she knew I wanted a job so we put my name forward and here I am now. “You have all the support up here you really need and it doesn’t matter if you are female or male. “The environment is really good, you have heaps of different people come in and out that you work with, it just amazing to look out the windows and see the different weather, you have the snow, you have the bush that is out here but you also have amazing people you work with as well. “I can see myself staying here for quite some time.”
Pictured (top- bottom): Pemika Apichanangkool & Jacinta Whyman
Hospitality Review: October 2021 17
Hospitality Review: October 2021 16
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