QUESTIONS

Why aren’t women being given the opportunities they deserve?
Why are women being withdrawn from opportunities because of their gender?
Why aren’t opportunities based on skills and competencies instead of gender?
How can we close this gap?

The World Stage

In spite of multiple advancements, women in the tourism industry are facing barriers on multiple fronts. Much work is required to improve economic opportunities and social mobility as well as access to financial and other resources, employment rights and privileges.

There are ongoing challenges for women in tourism: they are paid less, underrepresented at management levels, meet challenges to entrepreneurship and business ownership, and face discriminatory laws and practices.

A 2015 study by McKinsey found that narrowing the gender gap could double the contribution of women to global GDP between 2014 and 2025.

of women in the broader economy earn less than men

of the total number of government ministers are women

of all peoples employed in tourism are women

The United Nations expects that by 2030, women will have full participation and equal opportunities in leadership roles at all levels of decision making in political, economic, and public sectors.

Key Findings from the Second Global Report on Women in Tourism

By UNWTO, UN Women, World Bank, Amadeus, German Society for International Cooperation

All the above-mentioned international organisations have acknowledged the significance of women's empowerment and gender equality. Hence, it is imperative to capitalise and leverage the potential of women professionals in tourism. This can be best done by encouraging inclusivity within the tourism services’ value chain and enhancing the social capital of women.It is high time that critical conversations on gender empowerment are pushed on the table to change the economic and social trajectory of women in tourism.

+ Tackling sexual harassment

Targeted interventions by public, private and civil society actors - such as promoting equal pay, tackling sexual harassment and recruiting women into high-level employment.

+ Gender-sensitive legalities

Gender-sensitive legal and macroeconomic policies at the national level increase women's economic empowerment in the tourism sector when they are implemented effectively.

+ Skills training

Investment in skills training for women - including training on soft skills and awareness raising on available training opportunities - and gender equality training across the sector.

+ Gender equality interventions

The availability of sex-disaggregated tourism data allows for better targeted gender equality interventions in the sector and leads to greater women's empowerment.