AFTM and SHe Travel Club label have entered into a partnership that aims to encourage a greater consideration of the expectations of female business travelers in hotels.
In light of the growing number of female business travelers in companies, the French Association of Travel Managers (AFTM) and SHe Travel Club label have decided to work together to encourage hotel reservation platforms and actors, as well as travel agencies, to better take into account the needs and expectations of female employees during their business trips. Safety, comfort, services and dining are just some of the criteria that hotel professionals must pay more attention to when welcoming female travelers.
— 52 % of business trips are now made by women (source Condor Ferries).
— 70 % of female employees who travel for business believe that their company should take their safety more into account when booking their hotel (source SHe Travel Club).
— 73 % of women have been harassed or discriminated against while traveling for business (source Concur).
” SHe Travel Club label allows women to travel more serenely around the world. The safety and well-being of women who travel for business must become a hotel selection criteria for companies and travel agencies. Business travels are a determining factor in women’s careers, which is why traveling must be taken into account in gender equality policies and CSR criteria.” Valérie Hoffenberg, Founder of SHe Travel Club.
Paris, Rome, London, Amsterdam, Dubai… More than 300 hotels of all categories, 34 brands in about 40 countries are certified or in process of certification, with the prospect of more than 1,000 hotels in 2023 and 5,000 certified hotels within five years. Partnerships with major hotel groups such as Accor, Louvre Hotels Group, as well as other independent hotels, are deploying in 2023 on a global level.
The label also aims to launch online training modules to respond to the strong and growing demand from hotels which wish to offer an optimal service to their female customers.
—To identify and fight the gender bias and sexist comments within their hotel
— To prepare employees on how to listen to and counsel women, victims of violent or sexist incidents in the hotel or while traveling (transportation, streets).
— Behaviors and actions to better ensure the safety of women guests within the hotel (reception, restaurant, bar, etc.)
“This label is the result of my experience and my observations. It is also linked to my commitment to equality, because I am convinced that traveling is a key symbol in the emancipation of women and that it is fundamental for their career. It is a sign of freedom and inspiration. Raising awareness about the needs of women when they travel is essential to make the world of tourism evolve”, explains Valérie, Founder and President of SHe Travel Club, the new label for the hospitality industry serving women.
Previously, Valérie Hoffenberg was an entrepreneur, before being appointed Ambassador for the Middle East Peace Process. She then founded the Connecting Leaders Club and the Think Tank Marie Claire Agir pour l’égalité.
« The AFTM is proud of this partnership, which is in line with our commitments and the momentum generated more than two years ago, with our white paper on « CSR in business mobility, a reason to exist”. In addition to contributing to a human community more respectful of differences, and by taking into account the diversity of business travelers, we are convinced that this partnership will help to promote gender equality within the business travel industry. » Michel Dieleman, President of AFTM.
About AFTM:
Chaired by Michel Dieleman (Travel Manager, former Director of Travel Management for the Orange World Group), and supported by leading names in the field and reference partners, the AFTM’s main mission is to provide expertise in a complex profession that combines the worlds of purchasing, information technology, human resources and business travel organization.
The AFTM is also involved in the training, knowledge exchange and welcoming of those who are or will be responsible for business travels within French, European or international companies or organizations. At the end of specific training courses, the AFTM delivers the Travel Manager certification, recognized by many user companies. For more information: www.aftm.fr
SHe Travel Club :
“SHe, Safe & happy everywhere” is SHe Travel Club’s promise to all women who travel for personal or professional reasons. The company was born from Valérie Hoffenberg’s studies and from her commitment to equality: although women occupy a major place among hotel guests, their needs are not fully met. SHe Travel Club helps professionals rethink their offer and gives them a label according to 4 key pillars: safety, comfort, services and dining.
For more information: www.shetravelclub.com
