A survey of ITT members unveiled at this year´s conference found that 72% agreed that men are more likely to hold top jobs in the travel sector.
The survey, by Shine People and Places, also found that 60% of ITT members agreed that female aspirations to reach top management positions are broadly the same as men.
A significant minority (31%) felt the travel industry was worse than other industries in allowing for personal commitments to be reconciled with work pressures, while 36% said they were unsure.
When asked if the career progress of women was hampered by breaks in their career due to child birth and child care, 80% agreed.
A number of members also pointed to a male culture and an ‘old boys network’, while others claimed there is a “lack of management training and development for women” and blamed “the attitudes and behaviours of male managers”.
According to Shine, organisations need to offer more flexibly working and childcare facilities to retain good talent, and provide female role models and mentors to change the perception of the industry.
By Bev Fearis
