Astrid Veldwijk Corporate Hotel Manager
What does your work entail?
As a Corporate Hotel Manager specializing in the Housekeeping department and U by Uniworld, I support the onboard teams on five of our ships and the Housekeeping department fleetwide. Due to the pandemic, it has been a crazy year—I try to keep the team motivated and connected by having regular virtual get-togethers, and of course we are continuously working on the onboard procedures for “the new normal.”
What inspired you to explore this career path?
I rolled into the river cruise business by accident. People and especially women I met along the way always encouraged me to work hard, stay true to yourself and don’t forget to have fun.
Being able to meet people from so many different cultures and nationalities is truly inspirational. I have been given so many beautiful chances that I took with both hands, which has allowed me to meet incredible strong women from all parts of the world.
Tell us about your journey with Uniworld. What do you love most about your job?
Working for Uniworld is something I am very proud of. This company trusts me, empowers me and helps me grow, personally and professionally. I am surrounded by true inspirational leaders, with the greatest example and role model, Mrs. Beatrice Tollman. I love working with an amazing housekeeping team that motivates me and keeps me enthused.
What does being a Corporate Hotel Manager with Uniworld mean to you?
I worked hard to get to this position, and I am very proud I got here. I was supported by my colleagues, which means a lot to me. We sometimes forget or take for granted what kind of impression you make on others. In this position you do have to be a role model and inspire others, while making sure the operation is running smoothly and that our crew and guests are happy!
Do you have any words of wisdom that have helped motivate you in your life or career?
Maybe it is a bit of a cliché, but my mum always inspired me to explore. When she was young, she wanted to travel the world and explore but she had to take care of her mum. She always said and still does, ‘’feel the freedom, go wherever you want to go and don’t let anybody take away your feeling of freedom!’’ Since then I have lived in Aruba, in South Africa and traveled the waterways of the world with Uniworld, from Europe to Russia to the mighty Mekong!
What advice would you give to other women who are pursuing careers in travel?
Do not let anybody tell you that you should not or cannot do it. Go for it!
This year's International Women's Day theme is #ChooseToChallenge. What are you doing, or will you do, in your role or in your life, to help create a gender equal world?
Besides my work with Uniworld, I started volunteering with different projects last year. One that I really love is supporting a young student from Eritrea, who fled during the war to Ethiopia and then came with her family to the Netherlands. When she came here, she started first with Dutch language lessons and now she is studying care and welfare. It is my personal aim to support her with writing assessments to get her diploma and a wonderful job which she will love. This woman is so strong and determined, truly inspirational!