Breaking Barriers, Powering Ambition: New Study Reveals 90% of Women in Hospitality, Travel, and Retail Aspire to Senior Leadership

Ambition is alive and thriving among women in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure, and Retail—but so are the barriers holding them back. A groundbreaking UK-based study by WiHTL & Diversity in Retail, sponsored by IHG Hotels & Resorts, reveals that 90% of women in these sectors aspire to senior management or leadership positions. However, their ambition often collides with systemic challenges, from work-life balance struggles to persistent discrimination.

The study, which gathered responses from over 1,000 women across 140 organizations, paints a picture of both determination and difficulty. While women are more driven than ever, many still face the "motherhood penalty," with 62% of those who took a career break for children reporting a negative impact on their career progression. Meanwhile, 77% of respondents believe that women face more obstacles in reaching leadership roles compared to men. This comprehensive survey not only highlights the current state of women’s careers but also serves as a critical benchmark for tracking future progress toward gender equality in leadership roles across these industries.

Tea Colaianni, Founder & Chair of WiHTL & DiR, underscores the importance of empowering women in these sectors: "Empowering women to leadership roles is not just a matter of gender equality; it's essential for building diverse, innovative, and resilient organisations. When women are provided with opportunities to lead, they bring unique perspectives, experiences, and skills to the table, enriching decision-making processes and fostering creativity. However, we know numerous barriers remain despite persistent efforts to remove them, and despite women’s ambition."

Ambition Meets Systemic Barriers: 90% Aspire to Leadership Roles

One of the most striking findings of the survey is that an overwhelming 90% of women in the HTL and Retail sectors aspire to reach senior management or leadership positions. Despite this ambition, systemic barriers such as the “motherhood penalty,” discrimination, and the struggle for work-life balance persist. The survey found that 62% of women who took a career break to have children felt it had a negative impact on their career trajectory, and 77% believe women face additional challenges in attaining senior roles. These results underscore the urgent need for employers to implement stronger policies that support women’s career development.

The Weight of Ambition and Family: The Double Burden of Modern Careers

The survey paints a clear picture: while women’s ambition to advance is higher than ever, many face the double burden of balancing career advancement with familial responsibilities. This dilemma is compounded by the lack of affordable childcare and inadequate flexible working policies. Despite their drive, only 40% of respondents reported feeling personally benefited by their company’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives, highlighting a gap between intention and real impact.

Discrimination in the Workplace: A Persistent Obstacle to Progress

Alarmingly, 43% of respondents reported experiencing or witnessing discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, or cultural background. The study revealed that this discrimination, often intersectional in nature, affects women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and others with protected characteristics more acutely. Eradicating sexism, misogyny, and other forms of bias is crucial to fostering a truly inclusive workplace, and leadership must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to ensure equality.

A Path Forward: Building Supportive Workplace Cultures

Despite these challenges, there are positive signs of progress. The majority of respondents (74%) feel that their workplace culture is inclusive, and many organizations are adopting policies aimed at creating a supportive environment. Flexible working arrangements are available to 74% of respondents, and 60% feel supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance. These efforts reflect the potential for organizations to drive meaningful change and empower women to reach their full potential.

Good news: The majority of respondents (74%) feel that their workplace culture is inclusive, and many organizations are adopting policies aimed at creating a supportive environment.

Empowering Women: The Key to Unlocking Future Success in Hospitality, Travel, and Retail

The empowerment of women in leadership is not just a social imperative—it’s a business necessity. WiHTL & Diversity in Retail’s study highlights the incredible ambition of women and the urgent need for systemic changes to remove the barriers they face. As a benchmark for future progress, this survey provides a roadmap for the industry to measure success in promoting gender equality and leadership opportunities. We’re eager to see real progress as hopefully organizations take bold steps to ensure women can thrive and lead with impact!