Diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the tourism sector is essential to creating a welcoming and enjoyable experience for all travelers. In an industry that brings together people from different cultures and backgrounds, promoting D&I not only fosters better cross-cultural understanding and respect, but also contributes to the sustainability and growth of the sector. By prioritizing diversity and inclusion, the tourism sector can better meet the needs of global travelers, creating more open, accessible and rewarding tourism experiences.

The current state of D&I in tourism

Here are some key statistics on diversity and inclusion in the tourism sector:

• Women comprise 67% of students in hospitality university programs, make up 58% of industry employees in the U.S., and control approximately 75% of travel decisions. However, they hold just 5% of CEO positions and 9% of president/principal positions. / GENDER DIVERSITY IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY by Deanna Ting.
• In a study, 91% of companies had a gender diversity program in place, but only 27% of women reported actually benefiting from it. / GENDER DIVERSITY IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY by Deanna Ting.
• Women in tourism earn 14.7% less than men. / GLOBAL REPORT UN WOMEN.
• From 15% to 21%, the number of companies with no women on their boards has increased this year compared to last year. / PHOCUSWIRE REPORT 2021.
• At the board level, ethnic minority representation has decreased to 6% from 6.4% in 2020. / PHOCUSWIRE REPORT 2021.
• 5.2% of the UK’s travel and tourism industry workforce consists of LGBTQI+ employees, higher than the overall economy’s 4%. / WTTC REPORT 2023.
• Nearly 17% of the UK’s travel and tourism workforce are workers with a disability status, compared to nearly 5% in the US sector. / WTTC REPORT 2023.

Challenges and Barriers to D&I in the Tourism Sector

In the tourism sector, challenges and barriers to diversity and inclusion (D&I) include the need to recruit and retain a globally mobile, skilled workforce, which is the new norm in developed countries. However, progress in this area is uneven and uncertain, requiring organizations to reimagine post-pandemic labor and workforce planning to achieve competitive advantage. Additionally, it is important to implement D&I best practices, including managerial training and awareness of biases, to achieve D&I goals.

How D&I Contributes to Sector Development

D&I contributes to the development of the tourism sector by promoting greater creativity and innovation in tourism services and products. Diverse teams can better understand and meet the expectations of customers from different cultures and backgrounds, which increases the competitiveness of tourism companies. In addition, an integrated work environment attracts talented people, which directly translates into higher quality services. As a result, the tourism sector becomes more flexible and resilient to market changes and consumer preferences.

Global Perspective on D&I in the Tourism Sector

A global perspective on D&I in the tourism sector emphasizes the importance of creating more integrated and diverse environments that meet the needs of international clientele. Diversity in the tourism sector not only facilitates better understanding and service to customers from different cultures, but also contributes to increased innovation and creativity in offering tourism services. The sector, being highly globalized, requires D&I strategies that take into account cultural, social and economic diversity in order to successfully compete and thrive in the global marketplace.

Cultural and Regional Biases 

Cultural and regional biases in the tourism sector are a significant barrier to achieving full diversity and inclusion (D&I). These biases can manifest themselves through stereotypes that affect how employees and customers are treated based on their background, culture or religion. Such a situation not only discourages travel and travel services, but also limits career opportunities for people from different ethnic or cultural groups in the industry. Breaking down these barriers requires a conscious effort to educate and promote diversity at all levels of tourism organizations.

Importance of D&I in the tourism sector

The importance of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in the tourism sector cannot be overstated, as it plays a key role in creating more inclusive and accessible tourism experiences for all. In an industry that relies on an understanding and appreciation of cultural, ethnic and gender diversity, as well as diversity related to disabilities and sexual orientation, D&I strategies not only contribute to customer satisfaction, but also enhance the brand and reputation of tourism businesses. Promoting diversity and inclusiveness among staff helps to better understand and meet the expectations of different groups of tourists, as well as create a more open and welcoming environment, which is especially important in an industry that makes its living building positive relationships with customers from all over the world. D&I in tourism also fosters innovation by developing new products and services that meet the needs of diverse populations, thus contributing to the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector.