According to UNWTO research, women in tourism are still relegated to lower-paid and more precarious jobs, despite 54% of the global industry workforce being female. 

https://twitter.com/UNWTO/status/1633395631426347009

Women working in the sector have also been hit harder than men by the Covid-19 pandemic, as they were more likely to lose their jobs or have had their hours reduced.

“UNWTO has worked with our partners to study and document the huge contribution women make to tourism,” said Pololikashvili. “Now it is time for tourism to give back.”

To mark this year’s International Women’s Day (8 March), the UN agency reaffirmed its commitment to the ‘Centre Stage’ project. 

Launched in 2021 alongside UN Women and the German development ministry, the project aims to put the needs of women at the heart of the travel industry’s development. 

Over the past two years, the project has trained 1,800 women and seen 2,826 in tourism get a promotion.

“With the ‘Centre Stage’ model we can help the sector work for women and we will not stop until the girls of tomorrow have the same opportunities as the men of today,” Pololikashvili added.