Empowering Women to Pursue Hospitality Leadership Roles

Sarah Dandashy on Mar 4, 2021

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Driven by consumer desires for new experiences, innovative technologies and environmental impacts – travel is changing. Host Sarah Dandashy explores the technologies and logistics that power travel and the brands that build unforgettable experiences.

Women have long been part of the hospitality world, and their role and leadership are critical to the industry. In honor of International Women’s Month, Say Yes To Travel brings listeners to the story of Dolores Lopez Lira and her daughter Samantha Frachey. Lopez Lira is the founder and owner of Lomas Travel and El Dorado Resorts, while Frachey is the director of the hotel division.

Lopez Lira spent many decades working for a hospitality brand before she and her husband started their own. They began in destination management, then transportation, then on to resorts throughout Mexico. “When we started the business, many clients came with us. We had a desire to create jobs in Mexico and offer the Mexican dream,” she shared.

Even with the business’s growth, Frachey said, “It’s still family-owned, and each property is unique.”

In growing their hospitality empire, it was always a conscious decision to empower and support women. Lopez Lira said, “Women by nature are multi-taskers and responsible.” That’s a big reason why they have many women in leadership roles in the company and at the resorts.

One of the most important ways they help women is through their human development center. “There are many single mothers who must leave their children behind to work. We help these women by empowering and educating them but also giving them a safe place for their children,” Frachey said.

In the spirit of supporting families, the company has big news—the opening of Nickelodeon’s first Mexican resort. It will open later this summer. Construction never stopped on the project during the pandemic. It’s sure to be a must-visit for families when it launches.