In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March, we are delighted to spotlight some of the inspiring women in our membership to learn about their journeys and experiences, champion their achievements, and discuss whether inbound tourism is a welcoming industry for women and how it can better support women in the workplace.
Kat Brogan is the Managing Director of Mercat Tours, the first UK visitor attraction to achieve B Corp certification. In 2024, she was honoured with the Silver Thistle Award for contributions to Scottish tourism. Kat is a strong advocate for Living Wage and Fair Work principles, dedicating time to working with Skills Development Scotland, Developing the Young Workforce, and schools to connect young people with their city and inspire them to pursue careers in tourism.
What inspired you to enter the tourism industry?
I love to travel and learn about different cultures. I also love meeting people and helping them fall in love with Scotland as much as I do. Tourism combines all these areas that excite me, and as an employer in the most inclusive industry for building a career, I really enjoy giving others the opportunity to find their ‘career home’.
Is there a particular female model that influenced your career?
Elsie Inglis was a remarkable woman who knew just how much she had to offer the world and was determined to follow her path. At an early age, she faced misogyny, discrimination, and, ultimately, terminal illness. Defying the odds, she became a medical doctor, surgeon, teacher, suffragist, and founder of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals.
The very best example of her mettle occurred in WWI when she offered a ready-made medical unit staffed by qualified women to aid the troops fighting on the Western Front. The Royal Army Medical Corps told her, ‘My good lady, go home and sit still. ‘ She refused. She saved and changed lives – and I was born in the Elsie Inglis Hospital in Edinburgh, which gives me great pride and connection to her legacy.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
So many! Probably being awarded the coveted Silver Thistle Award in 2024. Speechless.
Mercat Tours is strongly committed to corporate social responsibility, from giving back to the local community to being an ethical employer. Why is CSR so important to you, and what can other small businesses learn from what you do?
Mercat is built on the values of our Brogan family (I’m the second generation after Dad, who founded the business in 1985). We attract like-minded people to our team and on our tours. Extending our orbit to include and benefit visitors, team, and community equally and mutually is completely natural to us – it is not a strategy or a decision. It is just who we are. We can only thrive to our greatest potential together.
My tip would be to involve your team and look at your business – who or what is a natural fit, an obvious partner, to expand your impact positively. Don’t force it, find the right pals, and it becomes easy.
What can the industry do better to support women’s development and leadership?
Parity of pay and opportunity is fundamental to realise the full potential of women in the workplace. On a basic level, having open conversations that normalise everything from caring responsibilities to menopause helps nurture a culture where everyone is comfortable and confident in being themselves. Employers that offer flexible working opportunities allow women to reach high and hold leadership roles which inspire others to follow – ‘see it, then be it’.
What advice would you give young women starting their tourism careers?
My advice is the same for everyone. Be yourself. Build your tribe of those who excite and inspire you and those you trust to have your back.
