On the occasion of International Women's Day, which is celebrated this March 8, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) highlights the fundamental role of women in the travel and tourism sector. According to the organization's data, women in tourism represent a significant part of the sector's workforce, with close to 40% of total employment. This marks a substantial increase from 2010 to 2019, highlighting a 24% increase in direct female employment within the sector, rising from 38.6 million to 47.8 million.
The study also revealed that the hospitality industry is the largest employer of women within the sector, accounting for more than half of female employment. Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC, highlights the positive impact of women in the sector, stating: "Women in Travel and Tourism play a vital role. We are proud that our sector is one of the largest employers of women in the world. ". "As our sector continues to grow, women have a key role to play; we have the opportunity to make Travel & Tourism more resilient and inclusive. Putting women at the center of Travel & Tourism will be critical to ensuring a future sustainable for the sector."
The report reveals that the sector employed a slightly higher proportion of women compared to other sectors globally in 2021: 39.3% compared to an average of 39.2%. In celebration of International Women's Day, these data highlight the important contribution of women to the travel and tourism sector and describe it as a catalyst for gender inclusion and empowerment on a global scale.
WTTC remains committed to providing high-paying jobs, gender equality and promoting entrepreneurship through SMEs, as well as creating more high-level opportunities for women within large companies.