It's not very often these days you hear of someone working for only one or two companies in their lifetime, but Dina Bertolo has technically only worked for two in her life. She started her career 38 years ago, typing invoices at ALBA Tours. Fresh out of college, she accepted a position with the small company and eventually grew into what has become a very successful career.
At the time, ALBA Tours was a very small, family-like run company owned by 12 Italian Canadian Travel Agents who were servicing the Italian Canadian community by offering charter tours to Italy in the summer. Needing to fill a winter void, the company started winter charters to sun destinations such as Fort Lauderdale and Acapulco and the business grew from there, eventually being merged with Sunquest in 1997.
Bertolo credits ALBA Tours then-company president Gianni Bragagnolo with giving her career a big boost.
"Gianni Bragagnolo was one of my greatest mentors, because at that time he asked me how I felt about contracting hotels and of course, I didn't have any experience in that or know what he was talking about. But I knew if I didn't take the chance now, nobody else would give me that opportunity," says Bertolo. "In those days a typical buyer was male, there were very few women, so it was very exciting but difficult because as you can imagine, things were different back then. It was challenging."
When TravelPulse Canada started our Women in Travel series, we found a common theme when speaking with the women we've profiled was that things were very different for women in the workplace, even as recent as 20 years ago.
Bertolo tells us that it was common for things to be more difficult especially in traditional destinations such as Latin America, but that in her experience in countries such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Cuba, her experiences were mostly respectful.
"In those days, I was dealing mostly with men, there were a few women of course, but for the most part it was men in the top positions such as buyer, hotel manager or people we were dealing with on the contract side. It was a lot of hard work, a lot of focus and a big passion for my position that I think is what got me through."
As common as it may have been for women to have a difficult time in the workplace, there were also many positive experiences with men in the industry. Many of the women we've spoken to, including Bertolo, were supported by mentors, both women and men.
"I had a lot of good friends who worked for the competition who were males, who would, the word isn't so much protect me as would be to say they were always there for me if needed them. I have to give a shout out to them as they always kept an eye on me, even though I could hold my own."
Bertolo credits many people in the industry with helping her through challenging times, including a mentor who has come up in other Women in Travel Profiles: Jill Wykes. In 1997, when ALBA Tours was merged with Sunquest, Bertolo says it was a tough transition. Suddenly the little company that could was playing with the big players, against the big players and holding their own. It was a bit of a culture shock for them at the time, something that she says Wykes helped her through.
"It was a tough transition because we were now really mainstream. We'd been so niche before and were now part of this huge company. At Sunquest, I had Jill Wykes from the very beginning who really helped me through some difficult times and the bit of a culture change for us at the time, it was a completely different way of working. I couldn't have done it without her and the other strong people who supported me during those days."
Her biggest support system however is her family. Married to a pilot for Air Canada, Bertolo says having her family support her goals has been the main reason she's been able to accomplish them. Having a husband who "gets it", being himself in the travel business along with two patient kids, was crucial. She credits her husband for doing what he could to work with her on coordinating his own schedule and helping to raise the kids.
"I also owe it to my kids, they were very patient and I give them a lot of quality time - they didn't get a lot of quantity time in those days. Do I have regrets? Of course, we all have some, but they're good kids and I think we did jointly a very good job."
I suggested to Bertolo that being raised by a mom who was independent and career focused was actually a benefit to her kids and she beamed.
"I was hoping my son would find a woman who's independent and my daughter, who could be described as a feminist, is pursuing her PH.D. Both have very strong work ethics and that makes me proud."
Overall Bertolo says it's important to teach the new generation of travel industry workers the ropes, a big reason why she got back into the business after taking two and a half years off in what she calls an early retirement from Sunquest. Wanting to regroup a little after such an intense life in the travel industry, she enjoyed her time at home, but when Air Canada Vacations beckoned after the launch of Air Canada Rouge, she answered and has remained for the last five years in her current position of VP, Product Development.
"I work for a great company that supports gender equality; and aren't afraid to promote qualified women to top management roles. There are no glass ceilings at Air Canada Vacations. As one of many female leaders in our organization, we are proud to be role models for other women wanting to pursue career advancement."
"I feel that, what is so great about our business and people who have been here for many, many years, is that first of all we have responsibility and obligation to teach the new generation everything we know. It doesn't mean we have to do things the same way, but there's so much we can offer them and that was one of the reasons I did come back. I'm now in my fifth year and loving every minute of it as though it was my first day."
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