(TAN): The Women Deliver Global Conference in Kigali, Rwanda served as a pivotal platform to address the crucial role of women in the Travel & Tourism sector, as emphasized by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Julia Simpson, president & CEO of WTTC, stressed the significance of promoting women’s involvement in the sector to ensure its growth and resilience.
The event shed light on the challenges faced by women in various aspects of the travel & tourism business, including barriers to entry, operational obstacles, and ecosystem limitations. Panel discussions focused on strategies to overcome these challenges and inspire change, aiming to promote equal opportunities for women in the sector.
Mentorship was highlighted as a key factor in empowering young women and girls in business. Through networking, opportunities, and resources, mentorship programmes have the potential to unlock their economic transformation.
Julia Simpson pointed out the correlation between women leadership and financial success in companies, stating, “It is proven that companies that have 50% women in their leadership make more money. This makes even more sense in travel and tourism where women make the buying decisions on where to go on holiday.”
Rwanda, the host country for the conference, was praised for promoting gender equality. With a majority of women MPs in the Parliament and President Kagame’s passionate commitment to gender equality, Rwanda serves as an example of progress in this area.
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The global tourism body highlighted that women constitute approximately 54% of the travel & tourism sector workforce. While the industry provides accessible opportunities for women, disparities such as lower pay and job security persist. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated these inequalities, with a majority of the 62 million jobs lost in the travel and tourism sector being women’s jobs.
To address these disparities, WTTC called upon both the public and private sectors to play their part in promoting women’s participation in the sector. Governments were urged to adopt policies that promote women in senior management, including mandatory quotas for publicly listed companies and state-owned enterprises.
The private sector was encouraged to offer targeted professional development programmes for women and create networking and mentoring opportunities. By doing so, the industry can unlock immense potential and drive sustainable growth.
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WTTC reiterated its commitment to advocating for gender equality and pledged to work closely with its members, governments, and industry partners to create an environment where women have equal opportunities to excel, lead, and shape the future of the travel and tourism sector.
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