World Travel & Tourism Council Data Unveils Remarkable 24% Surge in Women’s Employment within Tourism Sector

Friday, March 8, 2024

In honor of International Women’s Day, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) highlights the crucial contribution of women to the Travel & Tourism industry worldwide.

WTTC figures show that women represent a considerable share of the industry’s workforce, making up almost 40% of total employment.

The period from 2010 to 2019 saw a remarkable 24% increase in the direct employment of women in the sector, with the number of females employed rising from 38.6 million to 47.8 million.

Significant insights indicate that the hospitality sector is the primary source of employment for women within the Travel & Tourism industry, with hospitality jobs accounting for 52% of all female employment in 2019.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, emphasises the positive impact of women in the sector, stating: “Women in Travel & 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 heart of Travel & Tourism will be critical to securing a sustainable future for the sector.”

Moreover, the WTTC’s data points out that female participation in the Travel & Tourism workforce exceeds the global average in other sectors. Particularly in regions like the Americas, women occupy a higher percentage of the industry’s jobs compared to their overall participation in the workforce.

As International Women’s Day is celebrated, these findings emphasize the significant role of women in enriching the Travel & Tourism sector, making it a key driver for promoting gender inclusivity and empowerment worldwide.

WTTC is dedicated to offering high-paying jobs, achieving gender equality, encouraging entrepreneurship through small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and creating more executive-level opportunities for women in large corporations.

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