Report Highlights Women's Role in Tourism Sector

The Philippines is set to host the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security from October 28 to 30, aiming to reinforce global commitments to empower women, as emphasized by presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. In a related context, a significant report by UN Tourism and Paraguay's Ministry of Tourism highlights the vital role of women in the tourism sector, where they comprise 52% of the workforce and 60% in hospitality and food services. The report, introduced prior to the Regional Conference on Women's Empowerment in Tourism in Asunción, stresses the need for increased gender equality, noting that only 25% of leadership roles are held by women. Furthermore, it reveals that 69% of tourism education enrollees are women, indicating a strong interest in the field. Despite these positive trends, challenges such as job insecurity and underrepresentation in decision-making persist. Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Zurab Pololikashvili, emphasized the potential for tourism to empower women, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean.