In a collaborative effort, UN Tourism and Paraguay’s Ministry of Tourism have presented a comprehensive report on the evolving role of women in the Latin American and Caribbean tourism sector. Released in Asunción, Paraguay, this report was a focal point of the 1st Regional Conference on Women’s Empowerment in Tourism, held in the Paraguayan capital on October 21 and 22.
The study highlights the significant contributions and increasing presence of women within the industry, while also identifying areas for improvement in gender representation and opportunities for female workers. The findings underscore the critical role tourism plays in empowering women economically, with the sector currently employing women in 52% of all permanent positions. This percentage rises to 60% in particular segments, including accommodation and food services. Women also represent 69% of those pursuing tourism-related education across the region, showing strong interest in professional advancement within the industry.
While the data reflects progress, the report also details significant challenges women continue to face. Many are in informal roles, leading to job insecurity, while others experience a lack of advancement opportunities and are often found in roles that mirror traditional domestic responsibilities. Despite the substantial female workforce, only 25% of decision-making positions in national tourism ministries are held by women, with female ownership and high-responsibility roles in tourism enterprises similarly limited.
The conference in Asunción convened regional leaders, tourism experts, and policymakers from across Latin America to discuss strategies for fostering gender equality in the industry. Interactive sessions, round tables, and workshops were organised to examine the report’s findings and explore methods for improving working conditions and securing more leadership roles for women in tourism.
“Tourism has enormous potential for empowering women, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean,” stated UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. He highlighted that Latin American women are a driving force in tourism, and the report outlines concrete recommendations for progressing towards gender parity within the sector. He noted the importance of a collaborative approach to achieving this goal, as tourism represents a vital sector for economic growth across the region.
Paraguay’s First Lady, Leticia Ocampos de Peña, invited Paraguayan women to join the conference, describing it as an opportunity to address critical issues faced by women in tourism. “This event aims to increase awareness around the challenges faced by women and to create a space for policy discussions with a gender perspective,” she said, encouraging attendees to exchange insights and learnings to foster a more inclusive tourism industry.
Angie Duarte, Paraguay’s Minister of Tourism, expressed gratitude for UN Tourism’s partnership in supporting gender equity within the sector. She emphasised the importance of creating more opportunities for women in tourism and highlighted the conference as a timely platform for empowering women in Paraguay and beyond. “This is a crucial time to focus on the importance of women in the global tourism industry,” she stated. “I invite all women who are dedicated to personal and community development to join us in making strides towards a more equitable and prosperous future.”
The report reflects growing recognition of gender-based challenges in the tourism industry and the potential to harness tourism for socio-economic empowerment. As the tourism industry looks towards a future of sustainability and inclusivity, the report calls for concrete measures to increase female representation in leadership roles, aiming to transform the sector into a vehicle for gender equality and economic resilience in Latin America.