Women occupy only a quarter of top positions in U.S. hotel companies

Report highlights lack of diversity in leadership roles within the hospitality industry, despite women comprising the majority of the workforce

The review, conducted by the executive search firm, Heidrick & Struggles, analyzed data from 50 of the largest hotel companies in the US. The findings revealed that only 26% of the highest-paid executives in the industry are women, and women hold just 24% of board seats.

Key takeaways

• The study found that the number of female CEOs in the hotel industry has not increased significantly in recent years. In 2023, only 3% of the top hotel companies are led by women, compared to 2% in 2020. In contrast, women account for over 60% of the industry's workforce;
• The study also found that the lack of diversity is more pronounced in larger hotel companies, with smaller companies exhibiting higher levels of gender diversity;
• The report highlights the need for hotel companies to take a more proactive approach to addressing gender diversity in leadership positions. The authors suggest that companies should set clear diversity goals, measure progress, and hold leaders accountable for achieving these goals.

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