Women's influence on business travel grows, but gender gap persists
A global study by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) reveals that women play a key role in the corporate travel industry, although inequalities persist in leadership positions. While they represent 67% of travel managers and 57% of suppliers, they represent only 39% of senior executives.
In the survey of more than 600 industry professionals, women accounted for 67% of travel managers and buyers, and 57% of travel suppliers and TMCs. However, their representation declines at the most senior management levels.
Only 39% of vice presidents or senior executives of travel suppliers and TMCs are women. Among buyers who hold vice president or higher positions, men are in the majority (50%) versus 46% women.
A further challenge is the lack of leadership development programs for women: only 37% of travel suppliers have implemented such initiatives, despite their importance for career progression.
The study also highlights a disparity in the types of roles held by women within travel companies. While the majority work in account management, they have a significantly smaller presence in technical and product development roles:
-22% of women in travel and TMC suppliers hold a position in account management, compared with only 8% of men.
-Only 2% of women work in product development, management or engineering, compared with 7% of men.
Travel patterns
Women also influence business travel trends as travelers. However, their travel patterns differ from those of men:
-53% of female business travelers took only one or two trips in the past year, compared with 43% of men.
-More men (24%) take six or more trips annually, compared with 16% of women.
The study also suggests that part-time work may affect travel opportunities: 15% of women work part time, compared with 7% of men.
As for changes in frequency of travel following the pandemic, 23% of women travel less than before, while 27% have increased their travel. Among men, the trend is different: more men (29%) travel more frequently than before, compared with 17% who travel less frequently.
On the other hand, 57% of women say they now incorporate leisure activities into their business travel as often or more often than before the pandemic, confirming the popularity of "bleisure" among female corporate travelers.