Challenges and Potentials:

International Women’s Day commemorates historical events in which women played a crucial role in driving social and technological advances. Today, in Peru and other regions of the world, female participation is fundamental in various economic sectors, including tourism. However, significant challenges remain in addressing conditions of gender inequality.

Although tourism is considered one of the most receptive sectors for women, gender stereotypes continue to be an obstacle in both large and small and medium-sized companies. Sectors such as catering, hotels and handicrafts are perceived as appropriate for the “female profile”.

Approximately 70% of Peru’s tourism workforce is made up of women, in both urban and rural settings. Their roles cover diverse areas, from hotels, travel agencies and airlines to restaurants, handicrafts and tour guides, among others.

An additional factor to consider is the life cycle and family burden, which particularly affects women. Mothers often face the difficult choice between work and family, which negatively impacts their career progression. Both women and employers recognize that the dedication required for managerial positions is not compatible with family responsibilities. As a result, many women see entrepreneurship as an option for career advancement while fulfilling their roles as caregivers.

In summary, despite the professional opportunities in the tourism sector for women, there are still problems related to the feminization of certain job roles, the distribution of family responsibilities and informality, factors that limit the development of female potential in Peru. Therefore, tourism stakeholders, especially policy makers in the public and private sectors, must implement innovative solutions using gender-disaggregated data to strengthen the collective and individual contribution of women to tourism.Inca Trail is committed to the inclusion of women in the company and currently has more than 50% women on staff.