Report highlights discrimination against women in tourism transport

UN Tourism and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have called for action to address the “severe” underrepresentation of women in tourism transport following publication of a landmark report.

The ‘Global Report on Women in Tourism Transport’, launched in Madrid yesterday, found women make up just 3% of workers in passenger transport on land despite this sector employing 96% of all tourism transport workers.

The figures are better in aviation, with women comprising 36% of all air transport workers, although only 6% of flight crew are women.

However, air transport accounts for just 2% of all tourism transport workers. 

Marine passenger transport accounts for the other 2% of tourism transport workers, in which women comprise 12% of the workforce.

The report details the conditions which restrict women’s participation even at the lowest levels – including unequal pay, casual hours, short-term contracts, poor sanitation, lack of childcare, sexual harassment and fear of violence.

It also highlights the barriers – legal, cultural and structural – which result in women being “severely underrepresented” in driving, technical and managerial roles and in leadership positions.

The report, commissioned by the ITF and UN Tourism, was authored by Dr Anke Winchenbach of the University of Surrey.

UN Tourism secretary-general Shaikha Al Nuwais notes in an introduction to the report that “for the first time at a global level it shows clearly what is holding women back . . . from gaps in law and access to training to cultural barriers, safety concerns and infrastructure”.

Speaking at the report’s launch, she said: “Tourism is meant to connect people and open doors. Yet in every part of tourism transport, too many doors remain closed to women. 

“This report gives us the data to act with precision, not good intentions alone. Our responsibility now is to ensure that the women who keep this industry moving are also able to help lead it.”

ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton said: “Launching this report is not the end of the story. ITF and UN Tourism have made a joint commitment to work with governments, employers, unions and industry partners to tackle the inequalities that persist across tourism transport.”

UN Tourism and ITF have signed off on a three-year programme to deliver an Action Plan for Women in Tourism Transport, laid out in the report. 

They aim to work with governments, unions and industry partners to strengthen gender-responsive policies, improve working conditions, expand training and leadership opportunities, and improve measurement and reporting.