Female employment in tourism: Women make up 39% of workforce

The Travel & Tourism sector has long been a significant sector for global employment, and women play a critical role in this space. Representing a substantial portion of the workforce, women in hospitality industry have made notable contributions to the Travel & Tourism sector.

Importance of female employment in tourism

The hospitality industry holds a unique place within the tourism sector due to its employment patterns. Globally, hospitality accounts for more than half of all female employment in tourism. In 2019, women made up roughly 39% of the total workforce, a figure that has remained relatively consistent even through the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic​. This employment concentration highlights the sector's capacity to offer numerous opportunities for women, including roles in leadership, management, customer service, and operational positions.

In particular, the Asia-Pacific region has seen the highest participation of women in hospitality roles, with 54% of female Travel & Tourism sector workers holding roles in hospitality. This trend is reflective of the region’s broader economic structure, where tourism is a vital economic driver, and cultural dynamics often promote the inclusion of women in customer-facing roles.

Global trends in female employment

Between 2010 and 2019, the number of women employed in the Travel & Tourism sector grew from 38.6 million to 48.4 million, a rise of 25.3%​. This increase outpaced overall employment growth, signaling a positive trend for gender inclusion. However, despite this growth, challenges remain in achieving gender equality in hospitality and tourism, particularly in terms of wage parity and representation in higher managerial roles.

Globally, women held around 40.1% of jobs in the tourism sector in 2019, in line with the economy-wide average of 39.95%. This indicates that while the sector is relatively inclusive, there is still room for improvement. In high-income and upper-middle-income countries, tourism jobs are more evenly distributed between men and women, suggesting that economic development plays a role in gender parity​.

While the industry has made strides in promoting female employment, gender equality remains an ongoing challenge. In many low- and middle-income countries, women are underrepresented in higher-wage jobs and leadership positions within the sector​. This gap underscores the need for policy interventions that focus on providing more equitable opportunities for women, such as family-friendly policies, access to training and upskilling, and mentorship programmes aimed at promoting women into leadership roles.

The tourism sector can also contribute to reducing poverty and enhancing development outcomes by boosting female employment. Increasing the share of women in formal employment can diversify economies, improve productivity, and reduce income inequality, particularly in lower-income countries​.

Women are essential to the tourism and hospitality industry, where they make up a significant portion of the workforce. While the industry has offered millions of women job opportunities, particularly in regions like Asia-Pacific, gender disparities remain, especially in lower-income countries. Addressing these gaps through targeted policies can enhance not only the sector's inclusivity but also its overall economic and social impact. Ensuring that women have equal opportunities in tourism is crucial for the sector's growth and for the achievement of global gender equality goals.

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