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Empowering female entrepreneurs and women in leadership positions in the tourism sector goes far beyond economic success: it fosters social equality, gender justice, and cultural diversity within the industry. Women pave the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and ethically responsible future.
Even today, female travellers are shaping the tourism industry and driving change. They prefer safe destinations, seek unique experiences, engage with art and culture, travel sustainably, and value comfort as well as regional organic cuisine. The growing trend of solo travel strengthens women's independence while contributing to a more diverse tourism landscape.
Globally, one in eleven jobs is linked to tourism, with women making up as much as 70% of the workforce in this sector. However, they face significant challenges: limited career advancement opportunities, low wages, work conditions that make balancing family life difficult, seasonal job insecurity, and sexual harassment. Women remain underrepresented in leadership roles, yet they are the ones bringing creativity, sustainable concepts, and social initiatives to the tourism industry. They develop innovative business models, advocate for fair working conditions, and actively drive change.
As women push for a more equitable and sustainable tourism industry, they must also navigate broader challenges such as climate change and overtourism, which make the need for fundamental transformation more urgent than ever.
This year’s International EWMD Conference will take place in Zell am See - a destination that directly reflects both the challenges and opportunities of modern tourism. With 2.8 million overnight stays per year, tourism plays a crucial economic role in the region, making sustainable solutions essential. Since 2018, Zell am See has been a Climate and Energy Model Region and is one of the first CO₂-neutral tourism regions in the Alps.
A truly inspiring setting for a conference dedicated to transformation - led by women shaping the future of travel.
Conference Focus Areas
Women as Travelers – Travel patterns, priorities, and the industry’s response to this demographic.
Women in Tourism: Facts and Figures – Workforce distribution, employment trends, and gender disparities.
Women Shaping the Industry – Key areas of female leadership, industry trends, and long-term developments.
Future Prospects – The state of tourism in Salzburg, Austria, Europe, and worldwide, with a focus on climate change and overtourism.
Preliminary Program (all program details will be permanetly updated in our conference app which will be available to all registered participants after payment and by end of May).
PROGRAM OUTLINE
LOCATION
Friday, September 19th
6:30 pm
Get Together & Conference Registration
Ferry Porsche Center
Food & Drinks
Saturday, September 20th
8:30 am
Conference Registration & Coffee
Ferry Porsche Center
Coffee
9:00 am 4:00 pm
Conference Women & Tourism: Welcome, Keynote, Presentations, Lunch, Discussion, Plena
Ferry Porsche Center
Coffee breaks
Lunch
6:00 pm
Conference Night
Villa Crazy Daisy
Food & Drinks & Music & Dance
Sunday, September 21st
10:00 am 12:30 pm
Best practice excursions, Tourist tours, t.b.a.
Zell am See
12:30 pm
Farewell Lunch
Steinerwirt
Lunch
Fees and Registration
The registration will be open from April 1st - July 31st
Members: Early Bird from April 1st - May 31st: € 280.--
Members: regular. After April 1st - July 31st: € 360.--
Non Members: April 1st - July 31st: € 410.--
This conference is organized as a Green Event, following the standards of Greeneventsaustria.at
Location
Setting: In-Person Ferry Porsche Congress Center Brucker Bundesstrasse 1a Zell am See, Sa 5700 AUSTRIA
Venue
The EWMD International Conference will take place in Zell am See, a picturesque town in the Salzburg region of Pinzgau. Zell am See is a popular year-round destination to visitors from around the world, offering something for everyone. In winter, guests can enjoy a variety of snow sports, while summer brings opportunities for hiking, golfing, and swimming. With around 2.8 million overnight stays per year, tourism is by far the most important economic factor. The town therefore offers a wide range of accommodations – from hotels and holiday apartments to cozy guesthouses – as well as a diverse culinary scene with restaurants and cafés.
However, this thriving tourism industry also faces significant challenges due to climate change. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns have led to glacier melt, uncertain snow conditions for winter tourism, and increasing floods in the summer, as well as dry spells.
The Ferry Porsche Congress Center provides the ideal setting for the conference. Equipped with the latest seminar technology and centrally located just a few steps from Lake Zell, it offers a stunning view of the surrounding mountains – especially Kitzsteinhorn, a 3,203-meter high glacier in the Hohe Tauern mountain range.