As the global hospitality industry continues to evolve, one truth remains constant: women are at the heart of it. In fact, they are often the backbone, driving guest experiences, operational excellence, and service innovation.
Investing in women is not only the right thing to do, it is a strategic imperative. Women make up approximately 54% of the global tourism workforce as of 2024, with over half of all female employment concentrated in the hospitality and travel sectors (UNWTO, 2024; WTTC, 2024).
The Leadership Gap
Leadership roles tell a different story: women hold only about 31.7% of senior leadership roles globally, with just 7% of CEO roles and 27% of board seats in hospitality held by women (World Economic Forum, Global Gender Gap Report, 2024; ResearchGate, 2024).
This imbalance is not simply about fairness; it’s a missed opportunity. Diverse leadership teams are proven to be more profitable, agile, and innovative. Companies with gender-diverse executive teams are 21% more likely to outperform on profitability and 27% more likely to demonstrate superior value creation (World Economic Forum, 2024).
Progress in the UAE
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where I am now based, Emirati women’s workforce participation rose to 34.6% in 2024, up from 32.5% the previous year (UAE Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, 2024). They represent 18% of Emirati entrepreneurs, many under the age of 40 (Emirates News Agency, 2024), and hold 66% of public sector roles, including 30% of senior positions (UAE Gender Balance Council, 2024). These figures reflect a society redefining leadership – with a direct impact on hospitality.
The industry itself is booming. Last year the UAE’s tourism and hospitality sector contributed AED 236 billion to GDP, equivalent to 12% of the national economy, and supported over 809,000 jobs (WTTC, UAE Economic Impact Report, 2024). Dubai alone is expected to add 11,300 hotel rooms by 2027, creating around 15,000 new jobs (Knight Frank, 2024).
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 targets 39.3 million visitors annually, 50,000 hotel rooms, and 178,000 jobs, with a projected GDP contribution of AED 90 billion (DCT Abu Dhabi, 2023). These developments present a unique opportunity to shape a workforce that is inclusive and ready for the future.
We should honour women around the world whose creativity, resilience, and leadership continue to shape this dynamic sector. However, challenges remain. Across the globe, women in hospitality face persistent barriers: limited mentorship, lack of flexible working structures, and unconscious bias.
Pillars for Change
So, what can we do? We must start with mentorship. It’s more than guidance, it’s a catalyst. Mentors help build confidence, advocate for advancement, and open doors. Women with mentors are five times more likely to be promoted (Harvard Business Review, 2019).
Second, we must reimagine flexibility. Hospitality is a 24/7 industry, but so are families. A 43% share of women cite lack of flexibility as a primary career obstacle (PwC, Women in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure, 2023). Flexible scheduling and family-friendly policies should not be seen as perks; they are strategic investments in retention and productivity.
Third, hospitality education must lead the way. At Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, we embed leadership, equity, and entrepreneurial thinking into our programs. Institutions must challenge outdated norms, build bias awareness, and empower graduates not just with skills, but with the mindset to lead inclusive teams and businesses.
From Momentum to Action
Real change requires systems, not slogans. We are proud to work alongside the UAE Government, the Gender Balance Council, and industry partners to support both Emiratisation and gender equity goals. The UAE’s recent rise to seventh globally on the UN Gender Inequality Index (UNDP, 2024) is a clear signal of the nation’s momentum and our shared responsibility to accelerate it.
Inclusion isn’t just the right thing; it makes business sense. Companies with gender-diverse executive teams are 21% more likely to outperform on profitability, and 27% more likely to demonstrate superior value creation (World Economic Forum, 2024). With women already dominating customer-facing roles, promoting them into leadership creates more empathetic, innovative, and consumer-aligned brands.
As a global tourism hub, the UAE has a unique opportunity to set new standards in hospitality. A diverse and empowered workforce, especially one that uplifts women, is critical to shaping that future.
Empowering women is not a box to tick, it’s a blueprint for growth. At Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, we are committed to building not only the next generation of hospitality leaders but ensuring that women lead the industry into its bold and inclusive future.