FITUR Woman 2024: Championing Gender Diversity and Inclusion in Tourism

The recent FITUR Woman 2024 event underscored the vital importance of diverse and inclusive leadership within the tourism sector. Held under the theme 'Promoting Inclusion in Tourism', this fourth edition brought together top experts and professionals who highlighted the progress and challenges in achieving gender parity, especially in leadership roles.

While female employment in tourism has surged by 24% since 2010, women's representation in top management positions remains significantly low. The need for balanced leadership in the sector was a focal point of the discussions. Rosana Morillo Rodríguez, Secretary of State for Tourism of the Spanish government, emphasized the ongoing journey towards gender equality, advocating for public-private sector collaboration and policies promoting equal job opportunities.

The event also featured an insightful roundtable on the impact of female employment in Latin America. Mara Lezama Espinosa, Governor of Quintana Roo, stressed the transformative role of women in government and society. In contrast, Reyes Maroto, honorary member of WLT and former Spanish Minister of Tourism, underscored FITUR Woman's role in fostering gender equality and empowering women in tourism.

Cary Pierluisi, Executive Director of the Government of Puerto Rico, highlighted efforts in Puerto Rico to create a merit-based, equal pay environment. Simultaneously, Denise Guillén, Panama’s Minister of Tourism, spoke about Empreturismo, a project amplifying women's visibility in business, particularly in indigenous communities.

FITUR Woman also showcased Seville's success in integrating women into its tourism landscape. Angie Moreno from the Seville City Council, Laura Sánchez of We Love Flamenco, Raquel Revuelta from SIMOF, Ana Moreno from Inés Rosales, Marina Carrasco of El Palacio Andaluz, and Rosana González, director of the Hotel Meliá Colón, all shared their experiences and insights, illustrating the critical role women play across various segments, from hospitality to flamenco fashion and gastronomy.

The event concluded with panels on inclusive team building, the strategic value of diversity, sustainability, and tourism's social impact. These discussions not only highlighted the strides made but also the journey ahead in making tourism a more inclusive and equitable industry. As FITUR Woman 2024 aptly demonstrated, diverse and inclusive leadership isn't just a goal – it's an imperative for the future of tourism.