Women have long played a vital role in the hospitality industry, contributing to its growth, innovation and success. From front-line guest services to executive leadership, women bring creativity, empathy and a strong work ethic that enhance the overall guest experience. (I’d call them our superpowers!) Their ability to create welcoming and inclusive environments makes them invaluable in an industry that thrives on customer satisfaction and personal connection. As the hospitality sector continues to evolve, women’s contributions have shaped key aspects such as service excellence, event management and sustainable tourism initiatives, among others.
Yet, despite their significant presence in the workforce, women have historically faced barriers to leadership roles in hospitality. Something everyone in this industry recognizes—and many are continuously working to change. However, more women are now breaking through glass ceilings, taking on executive positions and influencing strategic decisions. Industry leaders are increasingly recognizing the importance of gender diversity in leadership, as studies show that companies with diverse management teams often perform better financially and operationally. Mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives and workplace policies are helping to pave the way for more women to advance in hotel operations and management.
Celebrating women’s contributions to hospitality during Women’s History Month is not just about recognizing the past, but also about shaping the future. By empowering women with leadership opportunities, equal pay and supportive workplace policies, the industry can continue to thrive.
Women’s perspectives and leadership help create workplaces that are more collaborative, innovative and guest-focused, ensuring that hospitality remains a dynamic and welcoming industry for all.
I receive emails regularly—and especially in March—highlighting achievements and promotions of women in our industry, as well as information on initiatives and programs designed to elevate awareness and action. There are conferences created to honor the collective and individual power of women’s voices, perspectives and experiences in the hospitality industry—such as the AHLA’s upcoming ForWard Conference—and hotel companies that make this mission a core value. One such company is Red Roof, which places emphasis on promoting franchise hotel ownership and opportunity for women and other underserved communities in hospitality. Since the 2023 introduction of RIDE (Road to Inclusivity and Diversity in Entrepreneurship) with Red Roof and rebranding of SHE, inspired by Red Roof (designed to support and elevate women in hospitality through articles, information, thought leadership and best practices), the company has added more than 30 women and representatives of underserved markets to its ownership community.
And, in a further move to advance women in hospitality, CJ Media Solutions LLC and Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance have partnered to provide comprehensive media training through a program exclusive to the alliance’s participating organizations, by bringing together media and PR on a quarterly basis to share expertise across diverse formats, including interviews, video content, podcasts and panel discussions. The sessions are intended to help and encourage women to amplify their voices in the industry and to equip participants with the skills they need to become confident spokespeople. It is also a natural extension of the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance’s existing initiatives dedicated to advancing women in hospitality, including its interactive Speaker Directory, which includes more than 1,300 senior-level women with subject matter expertise across all facets of the hospitality industry around the world.
Here, at Hotel Business, we’ve created a partnership with DirecTV to develop and distribute a quarterly women in leadership newsletter, “empoWering women in hospitality,” which shares the stories and accomplishments of women who lend their time, expertise and experience to our lodging landscape. And to shine a light on fostering, nurturing and increasing women’s visibility in our industry.
