A new mentoring programme, called SHINE, has been launched by the Tourism Society, aiming to increase the number of women in the sector’s executive positions.

The initiative follows a survey, undertaken by the society, which revealed the lack of female role models in the boardroom could be depriving the travel industry of talented females.

With no female CEOs in the FTSE 350 travel, leisure and tourism companies, SHINE aspires to address the issue using mentoring as a tool to develop employees in the sector.

Flo Powell, spokesperson for SHINE, said: “By obtaining membership to the scheme, individuals will become members of the Tourism Society and be able to take part in seminars and workshops organised by SHINE.”

“We are in the process of collecting a database, which will allow SHINE to put its members in touch with a mentor most suitable for the members’ needs. They will then receive career advice – whether it is guidance on how to advance in their chosen field or assistance on how to branch to another – in a personal environment,” she said.

According to the survey by the Tourism Society, women’s careers are progressing slower than their male counterparts’.

The report concluded that this is due mainly to the dominance of male executives in the sector, poor mentoring, poor networking and lack of self-confidence. Details: www.tourismsociety.org