With over 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Bridget Higgins has excelled in diverse roles across spa, front office, membership, and experience design. Her passion for people and dedication to building meaningful relationships have been the cornerstone of her career. As a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality, we wanted our community to get to know Bridget better. Therefore, we asked her a series of questions about her work, goals, leadership philosophies and more.

  1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
    I’m not much of a reader (I know, I’m sorry!). I prefer podcasts and listening to my news and information. When I do choose to read, I lean toward anything that can help me self-reflect, grow and learn.
  2. What do you love most about the industry?
    I truly love all the people you get to meet! I love all the different backgrounds we bring to the table, the walks of life we all have lived, and how much we can learn from each other. When I was on property, I also loved all the guests I had the fortune of meeting and hearing their stories. Tell me a story — I love to listen!
  3. What’s something the community may be surprised to learn about you?
    Hmm, this one is always hard. As it pertains to travel, I didn’t go on my first plane until I was 15. My mom took my twin brother and I to Disney World. It was our first big trip that we didn’t drive to. Fast-forward, I ended up working for the world’s largest travel company and I absolutely love exploring new destinations. While I still love driving, I do now enjoy the speed, and access, of air travel ????.
  4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
    Making the hard decisions that aren’t always the crowd favorites, and then delivering that news. Throughout my leadership tenure, like many, I’ve had to learn the art of delivering challenging news in a way that’s received as best as possible so your team hears you and understands where you’re coming from. While I don’t think I’ll ever stop working on this art, I’ve seen growth in this area and really enjoy coaching others on this aspect of having difficult conversations.
  5. What’s the best way you motivate team members? 
    By coming together and having fun! Work is work, right? We’re all here to get the job done, and frankly sometimes the projects you have aren’t enjoyable. I would rather come together as a team, share some laughs, and have a good balance of getting the job done with relationship building. I like to find small ways to lighten the mood while we work through the task at hand together. This way, the work still gets done, we hopefully bond a bit more as a team, and nobody has a task on their to-do list because it all got done together.
  6. What woman inspires you right now and why? 
    It’s not just one woman; it’s the women I’ve chosen to surround myself with daily. I pride myself on keeping my inner circle tight and ensuring those women keep me honest, grateful and humble; lift me up; have emotionally intelligent conversations with me; and meet me where I am, but also keep me motivated and hungry for what’s next. They are my true inspiration. I’m just trying to be as amazing as them every day. They all inspire me, and I do my best to regularly tell them this. I actually make it weird ???? and I love it — I give lots of long hugs!
  7. Where do you believe the future of the industry is headed?
    Artificial intelligence-based travel personalization. As consumers and humans, we have a deep desire to want what we want, when we want it. I believe we will see more travel companies leverage this technology and pair it with their current tech and employees to serve customers in the more personalized way that truly so many of us are craving. I look forward to seeing how travel companies transform in this direction. How companies think about their customers and put their customers in the driver’s seat for true personalization. Let me tell you what I want so not only can you provide it to me, but then I’m happy and you’re happy that I’m enjoying myself. We all win. I also love being targeted through ads. So if travel companies could use this same technology to then target me for trip inspiration, I would love it!
  8. What’s one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
    Personality and authenticity. I always say I can teach the technical anything that the job requires, but I can’t teach personality. When I’m interviewing, I want to know who you are at the core, and I feel I have a pretty good gut instinct there. I have one question I always go to on our interview forms, and I allow candidates to answer with a personal or professional example as it always gives me a glimpse into that authentic human of who they are. It’s truly my favorite part of the interview. I will never forget the first candidate I interviewed that I asked this question to and her answer — it’s the reason I still ask it to this day!
  9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
    I’m mentally stronger than I ever imagined I was. I pushed myself into many uncomfortable places personally and professionally this past year and when I think about it, the things I accomplished honestly bring the biggest smile to my face and tears of joy and happiness. My cheerleaders knew it, but I just needed to believe it. Therefore, I thank them for believing in me and pushing me. It’s honestly why I am part of this community today; I’m truly so honored and humbled to be here!
  10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    Those who know me know I love trashy TV, so this will come as no surprise, but it’s Watch What Crappens. Sorry it isn’t more educational, but I like to decompress this way … hahaha.
  11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Ethics and integrity. I need to know you will always do the right thing and that you stand for what is right, even when it can be hard to or you may be the only one. I need to know that when nobody is watching you, you’ll always do the right thing.
  12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    I firmly believe that you should give a lot of grace, to yourself and others, always in life as you never know what someone is going through. Show up with kindness even when it’s hard to do so.
  13. Do you prefer to work in the office, at home, or hybrid?
    I love hybrid. I love the options it brings for your work/life balance. I enjoy the collaboration the office brings, but sometimes you just need those days to yourself at home. The balance hybrid work offers is perfect for this.
  14. Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
    San Jose Del Cabo. I took a solo trip here at the end of April and it was heavenly. I can’t wait to return!
  15. What is a top item on your bucket list?
    While I don’t have an official bucket list, I have two trips I really want to go on. One would be to Bora Bora and, of course, stay in the infamous huts that we all have seen or maybe some have been fortunate enough to experience. The second trip would be a luxury African safari.
  16. What do you do to recharge? 
    I spend time alone, usually going on long walks around the downtown area I live in. It helps me clear my head, reflect, and think about what’s next. I’m an extroverted-introvert, so while I love being around people, I also really need my alone time. These long walks provide me exactly what I need to recharge and be grateful for everything around me.
  17. What is your biggest accomplishment?
    Moving across the country several times, first for college, then for work, and having to just figure it out. It’s amazing what you learn about yourself, how you grow as an individual, the people you meet along the way, and the adventure that inherently comes from this opportunity! In the moment I questioned my decisions several times over, but looking back they were truly the best moves I could have ever made for myself.
  18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Be observant, learn and be open. Create a community of supporters around you and lean on them to provide you with guidance and honest feedback always.
  19. What gets you up in the morning?
    My morning walks. I begin each day with a two-mile walk and it’s simply the best! I listen to a podcast, music or just talk through things in my head about my day to get myself prepped for what’s to come. It’s my personal time to reflect, think through things, etc., and I swear it makes me a better me.
  20. What do you like most about being a member of Women Leading Travel & Hospitality?
    I’m loving the community of women I’m meeting! I’m constantly inspired by other women and their stories.