Chapter 9: Women Leadership in the Jordanian Hospitality Sector: Obstacles and Future Opportunities^*

Statistics in Jordan show that the contribution of women in the national workforce represents only 11.5% (Department of Statistics, 2018). This indicates a very low percentage of women contribution in the economic activities compared to that of men. Meanwhile, female unemployment rate in Jordan is three times larger than the percentage of men unemployment at about 25% (Department of Statistics, 2018). It is noticed throughout the statistics of women employment that the largest sectors for women in Jordan are mainly education (41%) and health services (16%), with 14% of women work at other general governmental services. In the meantime, the percentage of women employment in the Jordanian tourism sector is still around 9% from the total workforce in tourism and hospitality services (MoTA , 2018), with a very low number of women in the top management level in tourism organizations in Jordan.