Empowerment of Women taking center stage at the Travel & Tourism World Assembly

Empowerment of Women taking center stage at the Travel & Tourism World Assembly

WTTC Announces Women Empowerment Initiative at Global Summit

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is set to launch its new Women Empowerment Initiative at its annual Global Summit, taking place in Cancun, Mexico from 25-27 April. The initiative aims to advance gender equality and empower women across the Travel & Tourism sector.

The WTTC's Women Empowerment Initiative will focus on supporting women in universities, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and corporate roles through key activities, best practices, and clear goals.

Key Activities

The WTTC will collaborate with networks like Women in MICE and Women in Tourism (WIT) to create platforms recognizing and celebrating women’s leadership in tourism, through awards and events that increase visibility and foster industry connections. High-quality education and training programs will empower women entering tourism professions, including university students, helping build skills crucial for career growth.

WTTC will host interactive webinars and publish reports that share best practices on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) tailored to travel industry contexts. These resources promote inclusive hiring, accessible travel experiences, and systematic support for women at all levels. The WTTC will also support women entrepreneurs by recognizing women-led travel businesses that innovate and cater to underserved markets, fostering sustainable growth and social impact.

Best Practices

The WTTC will build women-focused professional networks to encourage mentorship, leadership development, and peer support. It will implement policies and systems that foster safe, accessible, and empowering environments for women travelers and workers alike. The WTTC will focus on underserved niches, such as safe travel for solo female travelers, and design services that address these needs.

The WTTC will celebrate women’s contributions to the industry by public recognition of their achievements, motivating future leaders and highlighting role models within universities, SMEs, and corporations. The WTTC will also align with purpose and sustainability, with women-led initiatives focusing on community impact and sustainability attracting support and building long-term sector resilience.

Goals for Supporting Women in Universities, SMEs, and Corporate Roles

The WTTC aims to increase women’s representation in leadership roles, enhance workforce skills, promote inclusive workplaces, support women entrepreneurs, and ensure safe and empowering travel experiences.

The WTTC hopes that its 200 private sector Members will join the Women Empowerment Declaratory, committing to promote gender equality and empower women within their organisations. The tourism sector of the Mexican Caribbean, led by women in key positions such as Directors of Tourist Care and Information Technologies, is a testament to the potential of this initiative.

The WTTC Global Summit will be the first major conference in the 'new normal' of the Covid-19 world, taking place in a hybrid format, allowing virtual participation for those unable to travel. Glenda McNeal, President of Strategic Partnerships at American Express, stated that empowering women in the Travel & Tourism sector gives them a platform for collective voices, insights, experiences, and knowledge.

References:

1. WTTC Strategic Partnerships and Awards
2. WTTC Support for Women-led SMEs
3. WTTC Funding and Project Support
4. WTTC Education and Capacity Building
5. WTTC Inclusion & Diversity Webinars and Guidelines
6. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is launching its Women Empowerment Initiative, targeting universities, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and corporate roles, at its Global Summit in Cancun, Mexico.
7. The WTTC, in collaboration with networks like Women in MICE and Women in Tourism (WIT), will create platforms to celebrate women's leadership in tourism, offering awards and events that elevate visibility and foster industry connections.
8. High-quality education and training programs will be provided to empower women entering tourism professions, including university students, equipping them with essential skills for career growth.
9. The WTTC will support women entrepreneurs by recognizing innovative women-led travel businesses, thereby fostering sustainable growth and social impact.
10. To encourage mentorship, leadership development, and peer support, the WTTC will build women-focused professional networks.
11. The WTTC aims to increase women's representation in leadership roles, enhance workforce skills, promote inclusive workplaces, and ensure safe and empowering travel experiences, aligning its goals with the sustainability and community impact of women-led initiatives.

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