In 2012, statistics released by business consultancy Prowess.org.uk, indicated that more than 126 million women entrepreneurs were starting or running both large and small businesses in 67 economies in 2012. Female entrepreneurship is also high on most governments’ agenda, and global advisory company McKinsey estimated that if women were fully contributing to enterprising, 12 trillion US Dollars could be added to global GDP.
In addition, the World Bank has advised that the rate of female entrepreneurship is higher in Africa than in any other region of the world. With these strong indications that women entrepreneurs are on the rise, the WTM Africa team is pleased to announced the addition of the Women in Travel Meetup to its 2018 programme.
Women in Travel, established officially as a social enterprise in 2017 following years of successful events, aims to leverage the global travel and tourism industry to provide women with the opportunity to fulfil their economic and individual potential through education, engagement and entrepreneurship.
“Our vision is to provide communities in key regions (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 and in so doing, to become a recognised catalyst for women empowerment in the international travel and tourism sector,” says Alessandra Alonso, Founder of Women in Travel.
Image: Alessandra Alonso, founder of social enterprise, Women in Travel CIC
The Women in travel Meetup at WTM Africa 2018 will consist of a half-day programme inclusive of panel debates, group mentoring sessions and the opportunity to network.
“WTM Africa has always focused on the upliftment and growth of the travel sector, a powerful and vibrant industry that has long been a popular vocation for women. Combining our extensive network with Women in Travel is a natural progression set to empower female attendees from all over the continent, and we’re excited to add this to our already diverse programme,” says Chardonnay Marchesi, General Manager of African Travel Week.