Around 310,000 female workers leave the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry each year, costing businesses £2.8bn in replacement recruitment and initial training, according to a new report from People 1st.

The percentage of women working in the sector has fallen from 61% in 2004/05 to 56% now, while the sector expects to recruit an additional 290,000 managers up to 2017.

On average, 25% of the male workforce in the sector hold management or senior positions, compared to 18% of women. More than half (54%) of women working in the sector are in part-time posts, compared with 46% of men.