The importance of male allyship in travel
There still aren’t enough women in senior positions in travel – but men can help, as part of a new Male Allyship Network being launched for the industry. Daniel Pearce reports
Daniel Pearce is CEO and owner of TTG Media. Joining as Editor in 2010, he moved to brand director in 2012 before mounting a management ...more
Daniel Pearce is CEO and owner of TTG Media. Joining as Editor in 2010, he moved to brand director in 2012 before mounting a management ...more
There’s no doubt global travel is a predominantly female industry, with some 54% of the global workforce being women, according to the 2019 Global Report on Women in Tourism by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Yet only 30% of the most senior and board-level positions in the industry are taken up by women. The numbers don’t add up, and they underline the progress the industry still needs to make to ensure it is encouraging fair and equal opportunities for everyone who works within it.
The theme was a popular talking point around the week-long International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum, hosted by Women In Travel CIC in May.
And it was the central topic of a round-table discussion on the final day of the event, which saw male industry leaders from a diverse group of travel businesses come together to discuss the issue and how they might be able to help.
The launch of the industry’s first Male Allyship Network was the result.
WILL TO DO MORE
I was fortunate enough to be asked to chair the session as a representative of TTG Media and our own mission for Smarter, Better, Fairer Travel.
The attendance underscored how seriously male leaders are now taking the issue, with 28 representatives from companies including Tui, Cosmos, dnata and the Travel Foundation joining the session, which was supported by Battleface insurance.
While the content was off the record, some common themes emerged as the male executives discussed different strategies to support women in the workplace (see box, below).
The most positive outcome was the launch of the new cross-industry Male Allyship Network, which is being set up to put mentoring relationships in place and to sponsor women, particularly those from under-represented groups. More details on this will be released soon.
Hugh King, director of business development for the UK and Europe at Battleface, says: “During the round table, I was pleased to hear about the excellent programmes that are already ongoing to address diversity, equality and inclusivity throughout various travel organisations around the world.
However, there was a strong will and desire to do even more, to challenge the status quo further.
“The Male Allyship Network was agreed as a concept to engage, embrace and enrich the talent of women – no matter their background, diversity, disability, orientation or ethnicity.
“Lifting up individuals through the process of allyship; encouraging individuals to follow their path, forge successful careers, to strive and obtain leadership roles within travel is what this project is all about.”
How can men be better allies to women in the workplace?
By educating themselves about all women and non-binary people through self-learning.
By noticing situations, for example in meetings or at away-days.
By paying attention to who is in the room and who is not, and closing the gap if possible.
By noticing verbal and nonverbal language in the workplace and speaking out when needed.
By paying special attention to intersectionality in the workplace, including how gender, race, different abilities, religion and sexuality intersect.
By being pro-active bystanders and calling out micro-aggressions.
By intentionally advocating, mentoring and sponsoring all women and non-binary people in every level of the organisation.
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