Women in Tourism lunch to discuss gender diversity in the workplace.

The first Women in Travel and Tourism (WIT) Leadership Lunch for 2016 will take place on International Women’s Day (March 8) and will focus on the topic ‘Gender diversity in the workplace and why it’s important’.

Following three successful events in 2015, WIT welcomes Penny Lion, head of Tourism Australia Business Events, Anna Cesarone, CEO of Doltone House, and Sydney barrister and President of the NSW Young Lawyers Society, Renee Bianchi, to the stage.

Some statistics from the 2012 Australian census:
• Women held 3.0% of chair positions in the ASX 200, and 2.6% in the ASX 500.
• Women represented 3.5% of CEOs in the ASX 200, and 2.4% in the ASX 500.
• Women accounted for 9.2% of directors in the ASX 500.
• On average, women working full-time earn 17.5% less than men working full-time.6
• Female graduate salaries are 90.9% of male graduate salaries.
• Average superannuation balances for women are 42.1%less than men.
• 55.7%of people aged 65 years and older receiving the aged pension are women.
• 87.8% of women aged 20-24 have attained year 12 qualifications or above, compared to 84.1% of men in the same age bracket.
• 39.2% of women aged 25-29 have achieved a bachelor degree or above, compared to 31.8% of men of the same age.
• 5.1% of women aged 15-64 have attained a postgraduate degree, compared to 4.9%of men in the same age bracket.

Accor Hotels is leading the way in this area with the launch of its Strategic Leaders Development Program in 2014. An ambitious target has been set by Accor Australia to increase its number of women in senior leadership and executive positions, from 27 per cent to 50 per cent by 2018. In just 18 months following this commitment, the number of females in general manager roles at Accor has increased to 36 per cent.

So what needs to happen for the rest of the industry to support women into senior positions?

Sponsored by Doltone House, The Vanity Group and Booking Boss, guests will receive a two course lunch with wine, as well as a goodie bag.

This event is open to men and women working in travel and tourism to create an open forum for positive discussion and networking.

Event details:
Tuesday 8 March 2016
12 noon for a 12.30 start
Manhattan Room, Doltone House Hyde Park, 181 Elizabeth St Sydney
Tickets are $89 and available online here.