Technology is changing the way we work, travel, socialise and enjoy our leisure time. But when it comes to employment and entrepreneurship, technology is still very much the domain of men.

Here are some recent stats about women in technology

1. Women own only 5% of tech driven start-ups
2. After peaking in 1991 at 36 percent, the rate of women in computing roles has been in steady decline. Now, they hold only 25 percent of computing jobs.
3. Women hold only 11 percent of executive positions at Silicon Valley companies.
4. Only 7 percent of partners at top 100 (technology investing) venture capital firms are women
5. Women start their business with about 1/8 of the funding owned by men
6.  40% of women think their tech employer has not spent enough time addressing diversity.

Source: Observer and themuse

Things appear to be pretty similar in the travel tech space. Although evidence is anecdotal there is unfortunately little reason to think that the situation is any better, even in a sector where women have otherwise always made up the large majority of the workforce (albeit in the junior to middle level).

However, women are making positive strides across all technology and so called STEM sectors (Science/technology/engineering/math) and so we can also hope that this will continue to apply to the travel sector. The fact that so much of the travel and tourism industry is now technology-driven and technology-dependent can only bode well.

Travel Tech lab sessions

As in other sectors, travel technology’s female entrepreneurs, have spaces and environments where they can be supported, mentored and where their ideas can flourish. One such place is the Travel Tech Lab sessions at WTM London, with which Women in Travel is proud to collaborate on an on-going basis.

• These are a mix of female and male owned start-ups are developing the next generations of leading travel technology companies, and includes a networking opportunity to finish. Learn about:Lessons in start-up funding for travel & tourism entrepreneurs
• Group mentoring sessions for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Laura Stembridge of Jambo Tribe and Sarah Towle of Time Traveler Tours and Tales are both members of Travel Tech Lab and will be sharing their stories as well as tips and practical advice at the forthcoming Women in Travel Entrepreneurship session at WTM London in November.

We really hope that their stories will encourage other women to launch their own start-ups because it is now becoming increasingly evident that women, entrepreneurship, travel and technology make-up a truly empowering combination.

Find out more from the Entrepreneurship in Travel session at WTM London in November.