According to the report, only 7% of the top spots in the sector are held by women, despite there being a 50-50 gender balance of the overall workforce.
 

The research, carried out by private advisory firm Aptamind Partners and supported by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), drew on publicly available data from the world’s largest hotel groups, casinos and entertainment companies.
 

From a 50% overall balance across the leisure industry’s workforce, the percentage of women drops to 42% in mid-level management and 33% at senior management. Only one in five executives are women, plummeting to 7% at the very top.
  

A marginal improvement in the percentage of female executives in the hotel sector, the companies said, has "failed to translate" into more women in leadership and senior roles,

However, the report claims "change is possible" and can be seen in the percentage of women on the boards of leisure companies, which has grown from 17% in 2007 to 28% in 2022.

Julia Simpson, president and chief executive of WTTC, said: "This issue goes beyond equity and fairness. Companies need to hold themselves accountable to guarantee progress is made over time.
 

"Putting women on centre stage of travel and tourism will ensure a better future for the sector."