Travel Tech: The Last Frontier for #FemaleFounders?

Travel Tech: The Last Frontier for #FemaleFounders?

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.

Tagged .

Women in Travel aims to leverage a thriving global travel and tourism industry and its suppliers to provide women with the opportunity to fulfil their economic and individual potential through education, engagement and entrepreneurship. Women in Travel CIC is a social enterprise and was founded by Alessandra Alonso in January 2017. As a social enterprise, Women in Travel reinvest all its profit into its social mission. Women in Travel CIC’s vision is to provide communities in key regions (for example UK, Middle East, Africa and Latin America) with a sustainable livelihood by enabling women to become economically independent through entrepreneurship and a thriving career in the travel and tourism industry. This is be done by: • Working in partnership with industry, governments and other interested parties, empower women to set up and grow their own travel and tourism business or prepare for work in the industry by undertaking projects aimed at reducing common barriers (such as access to funding) and acquiring practical skills • Supporting women and diversity initiatives within travel and tourism businesses through networks, workshop, mentoring and related activities • Providing women internationally with a platform to meet, learn from each other and feel inspired to progress their career.

One comment

  1. force says:

    You actually make it seem really easy along with your presentation but I find
    this matter to be actually one thing thatt I think I’d never understand.
    It kind of feels too complicated and very extensive for
    me. I’m having a look ahead in your next post, I will try
    to get thhe cling of it!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *