Gender gaps in the female-dominated business travel industry show that 55% of women remain underrepresented in senior leadership and report lower satisfaction with career growth and compensation, according to new research from GBTA.
The “Breaking Boundaries: Women and Advancement in Business Travel” report was unveiled October 23 at the GBTA WINiT Summit. Over 650 global industry professionals were surveyed.
According to survey results, 74% of travel buyers are women but only 68% of senior-level buyer positions—including directors and higher—are women.
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Women surveyed also were less likely to report they were happy with their compensation and felt less valued by their company in comparison to men.
“That’s why WINiT’s mission—to close advancement gaps and champion true gender equity—has never been more vital. Real progress demands more than intention; it requires bold investment, collective action and a shared commitment to lasting change,” said Bev Heinritz, director of Foundation Programs at the GBTA Foundation, in a press release.
In other results, only 27% of respondents said their company’s travel policies specifically address female traveler safety, but 62% reported that women feel at greater risk traveling for business than men.
The full report is available for download on the GBTA Foundation website.
