The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has emphasised the critical role that women play in the travel and tourism industry worldwide in recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8. 

Women accounted for about 40 pc of total employment in the tourism industry.

In a press statement, WTTC says that key findings reveal hospitality to stand out as the leading employer of women within the travel and tourism sector. It says that women in travel and tourism surpass the average workforce participation in other sectors globally. 

In regions such the Americas, women make up a larger share of employment in the sector compared to the economy-wide workforce.

According to WTTC data, women in tourism comprise a significant portion of the sector’s workforce, accounting for over half or 52 pc of all female employment in 2019 attributed to this segment.

There has been a substantial increase from 2010 to 2019, highlighting a 24 pc rise in direct female employment within the sector, increasing from 38.6 million to 47.8 million.

Julia Simpson

“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 and tourism more resilient and inclusive. Putting women at the heart of tourism will be critical to securing a sustainable future for the sector,” says Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO.

WTTC says that this data underscores the significant contribution of women to the tourism sector, portraying it as a catalyst for gender inclusivity and empowerment on a global scale.