New York City — Women are the majority of professionals in key business travel industry roles – comprising 74% of travel buyers and over half of travel supplier (62%) and travel management company (TMC) staff (55%) – yet remain underrepresented in senior leadership and report lower satisfaction with career growth, compensation and work-life balance.
That’s according to new research from the GBTA Foundation, the cause-related arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and carried out for WINiT (“Women in Travel”), a program dedicated to helping women thrive in their travel industry careers. Conducted with WINiT partner Corporate Travel Management (CTM) and unveiled today at the annual GBTA WINiT Summit at Civic Hall in New York City, the report − titled “Breaking Boundaries: Women and Advancement in Business Travel” − underscores the need for more leadership development programs and inclusive policies to close persistent gender gaps in the industry.
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 organizations create environments where all professionals can grow, lead and contribute to a stronger industry. Delphine Millot, Managing Director for the GBTA Foundation
It’s time to turn representation into real opportunity. Fostering an environment where women can rise to leadership roles is not just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic advantage for our industry. By prioritizing inclusive policies and supporting professional development, the business travel industry has the chance to drive meaningful change. Anita Salvatore, CEO North America, at CTM
Key takeaways from the study, which surveyed over 650 global industry professionals, include:
A Paradox in Representation
Women are prevalent in the business travel industry, with the aforementioned 74% of travel buyers, 62% of supplier professionals and 55% of TMC staff identifying as women in the survey.
But when it comes to senior leadership, representation does not translate equally into leadership roles. While 85% of lower-level buyer roles (manager and below) are held by women, only 68% of senior-level buyer positions (director and above) are filled by them.
A Hidden Gap in Career Outlook
Although women make up a significant portion of the business travel industry, the report found that they were less likely than men to feel fulfilled in their careers.
For example, when asked whether they agreed or disagreed on questions related to topics like career growth, compensation and work-life balance, only 28% of women travel buyers “strongly agree” they have a good work-life balance compared to 43% of men, and just 23% of women agree they are “happy” with their compensation, versus 57% of men.
Among suppliers and TMC professionals, 44% of women feel valued by their company, compared to 57% of men, and only 24% of women are satisfied with their company’s parental leave policy, compared to 40% of men.
Unmet Safety Needs for Women Travelers
Among all travel buyers, 62% believe women face greater risk than men while traveling for business, yet only 27% say their company’s travel policies specifically address female traveler safety.
Additionally, only 55% of travel managers feel women’s voices are adequately represented in shaping travel programs, while 23% say they are not, and another 23% are unsure.
Equity Initiatives: Progress and Setbacks
While 39% of suppliers and 34% of TMCs report having formal programs to develop women and minority leaders, only about 25% have hiring or appointment targets for women or minority executives. On a positive note, 43% of supplier/TMC companies support community initiatives focused on women and girls, reflecting a broader commitment to social responsibility.
It’s clear that while women have made remarkable strides in shaping and strengthening the business travel industry, our work is far from finished. That’s why WINiT’s mission—to close advancement gaps and champion true gender equity—has never been more vital. Real progress demands more than intention; it requires bold investment, collective action and a shared commitment to lasting change. Bev Heinritz, Director, Foundation Programs at the GBTA Foundation
The study was conducted as part of the GBTA Foundation’s Path to Parity initiative dedicated to accelerating gender equity in the business travel industry by identifying barriers, promoting inclusive leadership, and driving systemic change through research, advocacy and actionable solutions.
The full report is available for download on the GBTA Foundation web page here. GBTA members can also access the full report in the GBTA Member Hub.
Research Methodology
The findings are based on a global online survey of 654 global travel professionals representing 42 countries that was conducted in September 2025. Of the respondents, 67% identified as female and 33% male. Additionally, 11% of all respondents classified themselves as an underrepresented minority.
About GBTA
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s premiere business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global travel business and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information visit gbta.org.
About the GBTA Foundation
The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA’s global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information visit gbtafoundation.org.
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