The involvement of women in travel and overcoming challenges for their success in the business world has been highlighted at a high level industry conference.
The Women Deliver global event in Kigali, Rwanda, acted as a platform to inspire change and promote equal opportunities for women in the sector.
Panel discussions shed light on barriers to entry, operational obstacles and ecosystem limitations.
The conference underscored the vital role of mentorship in empowering young women and girls in business. Through networking, opportunities and resources, mentorship programmes unlock their potential for economic transformation.
The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that women constitute approximately 54% of the sector’s workforce. While it provides accessible opportunities for women, it also faces disparities such as lower pay and job security.
The disparities were reflected during the pandemic, when a majority of the 62 million jobs lost in the travel and tourism sector were women’s roles.
The WTTC is urging both the public and private sectors to play their part in promoting women’s participation in the travel and tourism.
Governments should adopt policies that promote women in senior management, such as mandatory quotas for publicly listed companies and state-owned enterprises.
The private sector can raise its involvement by offering targeted professional development schemes for women and create networking and mentoring opportunities.
Speaking at the conference, WTTC president and chief executive Julia Simpson said: “It is proven that companies that have 50% women in their leadership make more money. This makes even more sense in travel and tourism where women make the buying decisions on where to go on holiday.
“It also makes good sense to employ women in senior roles; why would you exclude access to 50% of global talent.
“Putting women centre stage in travel and tourism will ensure a better future for the sector and the global economy. Currently, more than half of the sector is made up of women.
“By addressing the barriers and inequalities they face, we can unlock immense potential and drive sustainable growth.
“The Women Deliver event serves as a catalyst for change, bringing together sector leaders, policymakers, and advocates to work collectively towards a more diverse and prosperous future.”