Women represent about 74 per cent of corporate travel buyers globally, but they fill only 68 per cent of senior-level buyer (director and above) roles, according to new research by the Global Business Travel Association Foundation (GBTA).
The research, which was published at the GBTA WINiT Summit in New York last week, also found that around 85 per cent of lower-level manager and below buyer roles are held by women.
The findings are based on a survey conducted with WINiT partner Corporate Travel Management in September, which generated responses to at least one question from 654 global travel professionals from 42 countries. Two thirds of the respondents identified as female, with 33 per cent as male.
The study, called "Breaking Boundaries: Women and Advancement in Business Travel", also found that 62 per cent of supplier professionals and 55 per cent of travel management company (TMC) staff responding to the survey identified as women.
Among respondents working for travel suppliers and TMCs, women are most likely to work for hotels - 58 per cent of female respondents worked for a hotel or accommodation company compared with 28 per cent of men.
Women are also less likely to work for travel technology companies, with just 8 per cent of female respondents employed by a technology, distribution or online booking tool provider compared with 30 per cent of male respondents.
For buyers and suppliers alike, women are less likely than men to have positive career attitudes, according to the findings. About 23 per cent of female travel buyers said they "strongly agree" that they were happy with their compensation, compared with 33 per cent of male travel buyers.
The percentages were closer for those working with travel suppliers and TMCs: 27 per cent of women and 29 per cent of men were happy with their compensation.
There was also disparity regarding opportunities for growth and advancement within respondents’ organisations. Only 14 per cent of female travel buyers said they "strongly agree" they have those opportunities versus 22 per cent of male respondents. For suppliers and TMC professionals, the responses were nearly even, at 28 per cent for women and 29 per cent for men.
About 28 per cent of female travel buyers strongly agree they have a good work-life balance, compared with 43 per cent of men. On the supply side, those responses were 31 per cent for women and 36 per cent for men.
In terms of the perception of management support for travel buyers, the gap between women and men is lower but still exists. About 43 per cent of female travel buyers "strongly agree" that they feel supported by their manager compared with 48 per cent of men. For suppliers and TMC professions, those figures were 55 per cent for women and 58 per cent for men.
Delphine Millot, managing director at the GBTA Foundation, said: “Talent and innovation thrive when everyone has access to leadership pathways, supportive policies and inclusive cultures.
“Showcasing research like this allows the GBTA Foundation to drive that change by helping organisations create environments where all professionals can grow, lead and contribute to a stronger industry.”