Women at the top of tourism organizations: Views from the glass roof

Abstract

ABSTRACTTourism is a predominantly a female economic activity. However, it is still men who prevail at the top. Studies on women as managers usually focus on the “glass ceiling,” i.e., the invisible barriers that hamper qualified women from reaching high-level positions. Hence, by leaving women who are “above the glass ceiling” unanalyzed, it is implicitly assumed by researchers that these women are in a position where gender is no longer an issue.To counteract this tendency, this exploratory study focuses on women top-level managers in tourism organizations. It aims to analyze how these women perceive the influence of gendering processes and gender power relations on their own careers and on women's careers in general in the field. It uses a feminist and qualitative methodological approach.The interviewees acknowledge how gender power relations and persisting gendering processes still affect them, even if they have reached a top position. It is concluded that there are lingering gender issues “above the glass ceiling,” and not only on the way to the top. Reaching a top-level management position does not remove the issue of gender from women's professional lives.