Women to Write Home About: Rosalyn Watson

For our latest Women to Write Home About interview, Women in Tourism are thrilled to feature Edinburgh Napier University Tourism Undergraduate Student and Young Women in Tourism 2019 Award Winner, Rosalyn Watson.

Conscious of current issues such as sustainability and tourism’s environmental impacts, Rosalyn has strong ambitions to work for a UNESCO Heritage Site and already has some impressive work experience on her CV. In June 2019, Rosalyn was awarded the very first Young Women in Tourism Student of the Year Award winning an internship with prize sponsor VisitScotland, as well as a year’s membership of Women in Tourism.

In this Women to Write Home About blog, Rosalyln shares insights into her passion for tourism, her thoughts and hopes for the future of the tourism and travel industry, and her motivations for getting involved in Women in Tourism.

Tell us about yourself and what you do

Hello, I’m Rosalyn, I am twenty-five years old and am currently in my 4th year of International Tourism Studies at Edinburgh Napier University. I have also recently finished two internships, one in the Scottish Parliament as a tourism researcher for Stuart McMillan MSP and the other working with the Engagement Department at VisitScotland. I also work as front of house at Capital Theatres, so I get to see so many wonderful shows and performances! When not working or studying you can find me embroidering, reading or exploring Edinburgh.

What about your work makes you most proud?

Seeing people enjoy Scotland, their reactions and joy makes me proud. Especially working in a tourist office people would come back and tell us how much they enjoyed their trip and how we made a big difference with our help and suggestions. Now as I am involved more in tourism policy, planning and research I can help protect everything they came to see and make sure it is there for generations to come!

 What other projects are you involved in?

Currently I’m focusing on writing the best dissertation possible and getting my undergraduate degree! I have also written a report on cruise tourism in Inverclyde that will be published in the coming months.

Name a moment in your career that you cherish

As I’m still pretty much at the beginning of my career I hope there will be a lot of moments to cherish! A couple of highlights for me so far are being awarded WIT Student of the Year and working in the Scottish Parliament as a tourism researcher.

What are your hopes for Scottish tourism in the next 5 years?

I really hope we focus more on sustainability in the industry. We need to protect the wonderful attributes we have here, from our world heritage sites to our national parks and everything in between! Hopefully this is something I will be involved with.

Where is your favourite place to visit in Scotland? In the world?

That’s a tough one. The West Highlands are stunning, Orkney is so rich in history and culture, Loch Ness has a monster, Inverness is home – I couldn’t choose! In the world, I’ve had such wonderful times in Oregon. I have lovely friends over there who have taken me to volcanic lava fields, deep underground caves, the west coastline and the high desert. Plus Portland is a hipster’s paradise! It is a beautiful part of the world.

What were your motivations for getting involved with Women in Tourism?

I think they are a fantastic group of people who are highlighting an issue in the industry. When women support other women, great things happen! That’s why I joined.

When family and friends come to visit, which local spots do you take them to?

The Water of Leith, Bruntsfield, Grassmarket, a walk along the canal and through the Meadows. Then a lovely hot chocolate in the May Tree.

What is one piece of advice you would give to women starting out in the industry?

Talk to everyone. You never know who could help you or give you advice!

With kind thanks to Women in Tourism members Erin McLelland, our industry interviewer, and to interviewee Rosalyn Watson for her contribution.

We’d love to hear from Women in Tourism members interested in contributing to the Women to Write Home About interview series. Please email info@womenintourism.co.uk