Report highlights lack of women in the travel industry

The percentage of women working in the travel and tourism industry has continually declined over the past six years from 61% in 2004/5 to 56%.

According to a report by People 1st, released today, the number of women is falling even though the sector continues to grow and is expected to recruit an additional 290,000 managers by 2017.

On average, 25% of the male workforce is employed in management or senior positions, compared to 18% of females.

Women are more likely to fill part-time roles with 54% of females working in the sector on a part-time basis, compared with 46% of men.

People 1st claims 310,000 female workers are leaving the travel, tourism and hospitality sector each year, costing businesses £2.8 billion in replacement recruitment and initial training.

Its report identified five key reasons for the trend:

– the difficulty of combining work with caring responsibilities

– a dominant macho culture

– preconceptions and gender bias

– a lack of networking

– a lack of visible women in senior positions.

Martin-Christian Kent, People 1st’s director of policy and research, said: “Employers in the industry are losing a valuable resource when talented women are unable to achieve their career ambitions.

“If we are able to develop and retain more women in the industry, it would help ensure that we have the number of skilled managers we need for the future.”

He was speaking at the launch of the Women 1st Top 100 Most Influential Women and Shine Awards nominations last night.

People 1st has begun a search for the Top 100 Most Influential Women in the industry to recognise and celebrate female excellence within the sector.

Further details on the nomination process can be found at www.people1st.co.uk/top100. The Top 100 list and awards winners will be announced in spring 2011.

The People 1st report also stressed that:

– Having at least one female director on the board appears to cut a company’s chances of going bust by about 20%. Having two or three female directors lowers the risk even more.

– Research has shown that the Fortune 500 companies with three or more women on the board gained a significant performance advantage including a 73% higher return on sales, an 83% higher return on equity and a 112% higher return on invested capital than those with the fewest female board members.

– In the UK, women are expected to own 60% of all personal wealth by 2025.

– There are now more female millionaires between the age of 18 and 44 than male.

– Businesses that don’t represent and respond to the demands of female customers at senior decision-making level may lose out commercially. Only 12.2% of the FTSE 100 directors are women.

By Bev Fearis