The discussion took place during a panel session titled “How Women Are Redefining Leadership in the Hospitality Sector,” organized by the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy.
The session was overseen by Georgette Daivey, the General Director of the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy, and featured insights from Amal Harb, Marketing Consultant and Vice President of the Advisory Marketing Council at HSMAI.
Participants highlighted that although women represent the majority in the global hospitality sector, their presence in top executive positions is only around 7%. Additionally, there exists a wage gap approaching 15% compared to their male counterparts in similar roles.
Sheikha Al Kaabi, CEO of the Erth Abu Dhabi Hotel, revealed that about 20% of her institution’s total 3,900 employees are women, emphasizing the increasing role of female leaders in shaping hospitality experiences rooted in Emirati culture.
Georgette Daivey stated, “Women constitute 60% of the students and 62.5% of the employees, with over 55% holding leadership positions.”
Educational institutions play a crucial role in developing programs that focus not only on essential hospitality skills but also on leadership, problem-solving, public speaking, and meeting etiquette.
Fabienne Mathis, Director of Hospitality in the UAE for the GITEX Foundation, discussed the importance of academic institutions in promoting values of inclusivity, innovation, and adaptability among the new generation of leaders. She mentioned, “We have outstanding female leaders within a team where women account for about 39% of the workforce.”
Amal Barout, Senior Sales Manager at Miral Destinations, pointed out the challenges within the sales sector, often perceived as difficult, where women’s contributions are frequently undervalued. She emphasized that women bring a unique perspective, always considering the client’s needs and desires.