They’ve been called brash. Over-ambitious. Maybe a little bossy.

These women leaders are the industry’s disruptors, innovators and you can bet they’re on more than one shortlist for the next big thing. Underestimate them? Go ahead, but do so at your own peril.

Because these 25 women aren’t just participating in travel’s transformation – they’re driving it. From hotel moguls redefining luxury to tech pioneers reshaping how we discover destinations, they represent the future of an industry in constant evolution.

The New Guard is Taking Charge

Across every sector of travel, a new generation of female leaders is making their mark. Hotel executives are turning underperforming brands into global powerhouses through obsessive customer focus. Airline sustainability officers are making the impossible possible – achieving net zero emissions while others still debate feasibility. Venture capital leaders are backing the sci-fi technologies that will define tomorrow’s travel experience.

Destination marketers are changing how entire nations are perceived on the global stage. Tech innovators are transforming simple navigation apps into comprehensive travel discovery platforms used by billions. Marketing executives are proving that storytelling can turn hospitality brands into lifestyle movements.

Breaking More Than Glass Ceilings

These leaders aren’t just breaking glass ceilings, they’re rebuilding the entire structure. In an industry where 55% of workers are women but leadership remains heavily male, they’re proving that diverse perspectives drive innovation, growth, and resilience.

The results speak for themselves. Companies prioritizing gender parity aren’t just performing better socially – they’re delivering record-breaking financial results. As one executive puts it: “The workplace has been designed for men. We need the people at the top to redesign it so it works for everyone.”

From lobbying governments to certify more female guides to creating organizations that tackle travel’s gender gap head-on, these women are changing industry culture from the ground up. They’re investing in sustainable aviation fuel, launching immersive cultural experiences and using data analytics to revolutionize guest experiences.

The Future is Female-Led

What sets this generation apart isn’t just their individual achievements—it’s their collective vision for travel’s future. They’re building an industry that’s more sustainable, more inclusive and more innovative than ever before.

Whether it’s expanding luxury hotel groups across continents, driving international tourism growth for entire countries or creating loyalty programs with hundreds of millions of members, these leaders are operating at a scale that reshapes entire markets.

These 25 leaders represent more than individual success stories. They’re the architects of travel’s future, proving that the industry’s next chapter will be written by those bold enough to challenge convention.

The smart money is betting on their vision of where travel goes next.

Read the full profiles in Skift’s Generation Next 2025 Report.