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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) underscores the importance of female participation in the Travel and tourism sector, stating that their engagement is instrumental to its success and resilience. The organization shared this powerful message at the Women Deliver Global Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.

The WTTC’s President & CEO, Julia Simpson, emphasized the significance of advocating for more women in the industry and overcoming the hurdles that hinder their success. Simpson is an active proponent of diversity and equality, driving for change in the tourism landscape. She addressed the conference, highlighting that the sector’s future hinges on the equitable inclusion of women.

The Women Deliver Global Conference has established itself as an influential platform to discuss women’s issues and barriers in Travel and tourism. The conference also outlines strategies to overcome these challenges, aiming to ignite a shift towards equality and foster an inclusive environment for all women in the industry.

Key talking points during the conference revolved around the roadblocks women encounter in different facets of the business, from barriers to entry to operational hurdles and even ecosystem limitations. Each of these topics was covered extensively, providing insight into the obstacles women encounter in the industry and potential solutions for overcoming them.

A central theme of the event was the importance of mentorship in nurturing the potential of young women and girls in the business. The conference highlighted how networking opportunities, resources, and mentorship programs could catalyse economic transformation, unlocking untapped potential and encouraging growth.

In her address, Julia Simpson noted the correlation between a company’s financial success and gender diversity, stating that companies with equal representation in their leadership tend to be more profitable. Simpson commented, “It also makes good sense to employ women in senior roles; why would you exclude access to 50% of global talent?”

Highlighting the example of Rwanda, a country with a substantial female presence in Parliament, Simpson stressed the importance of promoting gender equality, not just in business but in all aspects of life. She emphasized the need for a gender-equal perspective in the Travel and tourism sector to stimulate its growth and impact the global economy positively.

As it stands, over half of the Travel and tourism sector comprises women. By confronting the barriers and disparities they encounter, the industry can harness the untapped potential and encourage sustainable growth.

The ‘Women Deliver’ event aims to be a catalyst for change. It unites sector leaders, policymakers, and advocates to strive towards a more diverse and prosperous future collectively. The event is a vital platform to promote dialogue, encourage collaboration, and inspire action towards gender equality in the industry.

Based on data from the global tourism body, women make up approximately 54% of the workforce. Despite offering accessible opportunities for women, the sector still grapples with disparities such as lower pay and job security. These disparities became even more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, where most of the 62 million jobs lost in the sector were women’s.

The WTTC calls for the public and private sectors to play their part in enhancing women’s participation in Travel and tourism. Governments are urged to adopt policies that promote women in senior management, such as implementing mandatory quotas for publicly listed companies and state-owned enterprises.

On the other hand, the private sector is encouraged to provide targeted professional development programs for women and create networking and mentoring opportunities. These initiatives could help to address gender disparities and foster an inclusive environment where women have equal opportunities to succeed.

The WTTC continues to be a steadfast advocate for gender equality. Through collaboration with its members, governments, and industry partners, it is dedicated to cultivating an environment where women have an equal opportunity to excel, lead, and shape the future of the Travel and tourism sector.

With these joint efforts, the goal of achieving a more diverse and gender-equal Travel and tourism sector becomes an increasingly attainable reality. As the industry navigates towards recovery post-pandemic, the role of women will be even more crucial, highlighting the importance of their increased representation and participation in the industry.

From this perspective, the future of Travel and tourism lies not just in the return of travellers but also in the hands of the women who make up over half of its workforce. It’s high time their potential was recognized, valued, and utilised fully to bring about a more resilient and thriving sector.