In the latest episode of Inspiring Women in Travel Asia, hosted by Sumi Soorian, Advisor to the Phuket Hotels Association, Saima Hamidi, Regional Director of Supply Relations at Flight Centre Travel Group Asia, shared a career trajectory that underscores resilience, adaptability, and the value of embracing the unknown. Her story offers practical lessons for travel professionals navigating their own career shifts.
Hamidi originally trained as a mechanical engineer in India, working in the manufacturing and defence sectors before making an unconventional leap into travel. An MBA internship with Abacus (now part of Sabre) introduced her to the scale and complexity of the travel ecosystem, sparking a career that has spanned more than 13 years. Today, she manages strategic supplier relationships across Asia for Flight Centre Travel Group, one of the world's largest travel agencies.
Growing up in Bihar, one of India's least-developed states, Hamidi credits generations of strong women in her family for encouraging her to challenge traditional expectations. As one of only six women in her mechanical engineering cohort, she learned early how to navigate male-dominated environments by building trust, demonstrating value, and remaining open to learning from others. These skills proved transferable when she entered the travel industry, where she often found herself as one of the few women in leadership roles.
Leadership philosophy and mentorship
As part of Flight Centre Travel Group Asia's leadership team, Hamidi is passionate about visibility and mentorship. She believes representation matters and actively supports emerging professionals by creating inclusive environments where every voice is heard. Her leadership philosophy centres on accessibility, continuous learning, and empowering others through small but meaningful actions. For travel industry executives, this approach offers a model for fostering diverse talent in an increasingly competitive market.
Reflecting on the transitions that have defined her career—from designing missile launchers to managing strategic supplier relationships—Hamidi emphasised the importance of stepping outside comfort zones. One of her boldest decisions was leaving a role without another opportunity secured, trusting that growth often comes from uncertainty. This kind of risk-taking is particularly relevant for travel professionals facing industry disruption, whether from autonomous mobility platforms or shifting consumer preferences.
Her advice to future leaders and industry professionals is simple yet powerful: “Don’t be scared to say yes.” For Hamidi, embracing unfamiliar opportunities, even when they seem daunting, is often the key to personal and professional growth. This mindset aligns with broader trends in the travel sector, where career-focused educational tourism is expanding rapidly, and professionals are increasingly expected to pivot across functions and geographies.
Hamidi's journey also highlights the importance of supplier relations in travel distribution. As Regional Director of Supply Relations, she oversees partnerships with airlines, hotels, and other travel providers, ensuring Flight Centre's network remains competitive. Her engineering background gives her a unique perspective on data-driven decision-making and process optimization—skills that are increasingly valuable in travel technology and revenue management.
For travel professionals looking to advance their careers, Hamidi's story offers a blueprint: build trust through competence, stay open to learning, and don't let fear of the unknown hold you back. As the industry continues to evolve, those who embrace change will be best positioned to lead.
