FITUR Woman 2024 confirms that the tourism sector needs diverse and inclusive leadership

The experts and professionals participating today at FITUR Woman 2024 showed that diverse and inclusive leadership is essential in the tourism sector. According to them, female employment in this sector has increased by 24% since 2010, but women still do not have enough representation in management positions. Under the motto 'Promoting inclusion in Tourism', the speakers at the fourth edition of FITUR Woman, organized by FITUR in collaboration with Women Leading Tourism (WLT) and sponsored by Seville, debated the role of women in the world labor of the tourism industry and highlighted the importance of guaranteeing sustainable and inclusive tourism.

Rosana Morillo Rodríguez, Secretary of State for Tourism of the Spanish government, stated that “despite all the progress made, we still have a long way to go and a lot of recognition to do.” A task in which there must be “alignment and collaboration between the private and public sectors.” Furthermore, Morillo emphasized the public policies necessary so that “women have the same opportunities as men to access jobs”; and she highlighted the need for “sustainable tourism also socially.”  

For her part, the president of Women Leading Tourism (WLT), Maribel Rodríguez, explained that female employment in tourism has increased by 24% since 2010. “Right now, there are 54% of women working in our sector, which is far above other economic areas. However, the proportion of women in management is in the single digits. There are not enough women represented on company boards, committees and chairs.”

Female employment in Latin America

Next, a round table was held on the impact of female employment in Latin America, in which various speakers narrated the experience of public authorities. Mara Lezama Espinosa, governor of Quintana Roo, stated that “women can do extraordinary things” and advocated for “improving the quality of life of all human beings.” Thus, she assured that “we have created a different government, where the feeling of women is present and latent. Quintana Roo is the state with the greatest presence of women in municipal presidencies and in the local chamber of deputies.” In addition, she highlighted the “Woman is Power” program, which aims to enhance the resources of the female population.

For his part, Reyes Maroto, honorary member of WLT and former Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of Spain, highlighted the success of FITUR Woman and stated that “equality is a challenge to have a better society.” In addition, she emphasized the need to make an effort “so that women are more visible in the tourism sector and reach spaces of power.” In this sense, she recalled the government's work to empower women in the economic and business sphere. According to Maroto, “we have to continue making tourism a lever for social and economic transformation to incorporate more women into leadership and decision-making positions.”

Cary Pierluisi, Executive Director of the Government of Puerto Rico, pointed out that “we must work so that women occupy the spaces that correspond to them.” And she assured that this is what they are doing in Puerto Rico, in order to “evaluate all people on their merits and equate salaries between men and women.” Along these lines, she explained that “we are empowering and training women in the tourism sector and giving them all the support they need, establishing different programs.”

Finally, Denise Guillén, Minister of Tourism of Panama, spoke about the Empreturismo project, promoted by the government of this country, which has several specific programs so that women can enhance the visibility of their companies. Furthermore, Ella Guillén highlighted the role of women in the tourism sector and stated that “tourism makes women visible in indigenous communities, because it is those women who keep the traditions.”

Integration in Seville

FITUR Woman also had a round table about Seville as a success story in integration, in which various speakers shared their business experiences in different segments. Angie Moreno, Tourism delegate of the Seville City Council, stated that “the role of women in the tourism industry is fundamental”; and she pointed out that “63% in Seville's hotel industry are women.” Businesswoman Laura Sánchez, from We Love Flamenco, assured that “flamenco fashion is an industry and an attraction for Seville and all of Andalusia” and advocated that “flamenco fashion has to be the standard of Andalusian women.”

The businesswoman, model and presenter Raquel Revuelta, from SIMOF, pointed out that “the importance of women in tourism is fundamental and we must take advantage of the pull of flamenco fashion, which is a tourist asset and can position Seville throughout the world. ”. Ana Moreno, from Inés Rosales, pointed out that “women also contribute a lot to gastronomy,” and added that “in the primary sector we find a lot of female labor.” Marina Carrasco, from El Palacio Andaluz, explained that “although the world of flamenco has generally been more for men, in recent years there have been many female flamenco artists who have given it an innovative character.” And finally, Rosana González, director of the Meliá Colón Hotel, pointed out that “women hotel directors only represent 24%, a proportion that is higher in luxury establishments,” but added that “we continue to grow.”

The day closed with other panels on the formation of inclusive teams, diversity as a strategic lever with tangible benefits, sustainability and the social impact of tourism.

The International Tourism Fair is held from January 24 to 28, 2024 at IFEMA MADRID.