This is what you missed from the UNWTO regional congress

Has COVID 19 made a positive or negative impact on women in tourism? Keep reading to find out more. On the 24th of November 2019, I travelled to Ghana to attend the first UNWTO Regional Congress on Women Empowerment that celebrates women’s contribution to tourism growth in Africa. It was my first time in Ghana and the famous Ghanaian sun I heard about did not fail to disappoint. Prior to my visit I had always wanted to travel to Ghana for leisure, but I guess I am more of a MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) traveler than a leisure traveler. Or let’s just say I could not pass by such an opportunity when I heard the conference was going to be hosted in West Africa. For two days, some of the brightest minds in African and global tourism converged at the Accra International Conference Centre to answer tough questions that women in tourism and business generally are confronted with on the continent.TheFisayo and the UNWTO General Secretary Zurab PololikashviliAlso present were high-powered delegation from the UNWTO led by its General Secretary Zurab Pololikashvili, Ghana’s Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Minister For Tourism Arts and Culture of Ghana Barbara Oteng Gyasi.Travel News: During the congress, dinteresting statistics were shared on women’s involvement in tourism, here are a few: 54% of people employed in tourism are women 39% of people employed in the broader economy are women Women in tourism earn 14.7% less than men Women in boarder economy earn 16.8% less than men 23% of tourism ministers are women 7% of government ministers are womenPololikashvili stated that the “UNWTO is firmly committed to breaking down the barriers women face in the tourism sector so that tourism may stay at the forefront of gender equality efforts here in Africa and across the world. Delivering the keynote address Regional Director ai, UN Women Central and West Africa, Oulimata Sarr made a strong appeal for equal opportunities for women across the broad spectrum of things that are needed to help ladies succee