WTM Africa 2027 will place greater emphasis on professional skills development for women in tourism through an expanded Women in Tourism (WiT) programme, which will run alongside the event from 7 to 9 April 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
Announced during Women’s Month, the programme will focus on helping women across the tourism industry strengthen their professional skills, build confidence and develop networks that can support their career growth. The organisers say the initiative is intended to give women practical tools to take on greater responsibilities and contribute to the future direction of the sector.
Although women’s representation on tourism and hospitality boards has improved over the past decade, senior leadership positions remain largely out of reach for many. According to figures cited by WTM Africa, the global share of board seats held by women in tourism and hospitality doubled from 16% in 2013 to 33% in 2025. However, women account for only 42% of mid-management positions and just 7% of CEO or chair roles, according to a study by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director for Travel, Tourism and Sports at RX Africa, said the industry needed to maintain its focus on creating opportunities for women as demand for inclusive leadership continues to grow across travel and hospitality.
“As demand accelerates globally for inclusive leadership in travel and hospitality, we’re working to ensure that the effective upliftment of women in tourism remains a priority,” De Jager said.
De Jager, who was named Mentor of the Year at the 2026 Women in MICE Awards, believes that improving women’s representation in leadership requires more than opening doors to senior positions. She argues that professional development, mentorship and continued support are equally important in preparing women to succeed once they reach those positions.
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“Women have an enormous role to play in deciding our industry’s future, but leadership is not only about the positions we hold. It is also about having the confidence to use our voices, share our ideas, and recognise the value we bring,” she added.
One of the planned highlights of the 2027 programme is an interactive workshop titled “Empowering Female Leadership in Tourism”. The session will address strategic decision-making, adaptive leadership, personal and corporate branding, mentorship and professional networking. These areas are intended to help participants strengthen their leadership abilities while building the professional connections needed to advance within the industry.
The workshop will follow the Women in MICE Breakfast, which will bring together women working in meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. The breakfast will also provide a platform to introduce new categories for the 2027 Women in MICE Awards, with further details expected to be announced closer to the event.
WTM Africa 2027 will take place from 7 to 9 April at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, bringing its Women in Tourism programme alongside the wider travel trade gathering. The focus on skills development reflects a growing recognition that improving women’s access to leadership requires attention not only to representation but also to the training, professional support and networks that help them progress.
