Gender Diversity and Inclusion Report

by Aptamind &
World Tourism Forum Lucerne

Although women represent 50% of all employees across the sector, there is a progressive reduction in opportunities available to them as they climb the corporate ladder.

Female representation falls to 40% at mid-level management and 33% at senior executive level, above which there is an invisible glass ceiling between senior management and the Excom/C-Suite, where 19% of roles are filled by women.

24% of the Boards of major travel, tourism and hospitality companies are made up of women, with 8% of companies still overseen by an all-male Board of Directors.

Only five of the top 100 listed firms in travel, tourism and hospitality are led by a female CEO, while six companies have a female Chair of the Board.

The gender gap at Board level is much starker in emerging markets than developed markets. 28% of Board members are women in developed markets, compared to 11% in emerging markets. In parallel, only 47% of Board Directors in emerging markets are independent, compared to 71% in developed nations.

24% of C-Suite execs at Food and Beverage companies are women – the highest proportion in the industry – compared to a disappointing 10% at Cruise companies.