Conceptual framework on women’s participation in tourism

Conceptual framework on women’s participation in tourism

Tourism is considerably developing as one of the important industries in global economy. The involvement of women is considered to create sustainability in tourism. 

Social aspects and economic aspects as well as changes and problems shape the overall participation of women in tourism. Besides, women involved in this sector are affected more by additional aspects such as work place, participation in decision making, gender discrimination, etc. 

These diverse aspects are presented through the conceptual framework below.

Conceptual framework

Social Aspects

• x      age
• x      caste/ethnicity
• x      religion
• x      marital status
• x      type of family
• x       participation in decision making
• x      satisfaction

Changes

• x     status before entering in to the business
• x      participation  in different institutions and organizations
• x       growth in skill and capacity
• x       changes taken place in everyday life
• x       economic freedom

Social Structure

Tourism Business        Women Participation       Economic aspects

• x       source of income
• x       alternative  work
• x       monthly income

Problems

• x       problems related to tourism industry
• x       family support
• x       gender discrimination
• x       problems faced in the commencing  phase

Source: Adapted from Acharya (2010)

Age, religion, caste, ethnicity, marital status, education, family structure, monthly income, and economic freedom are some of the affecting factors. Young women, for instance, can contribute more to the productive sector than older women can. Highly educated women can play a more important role in promoting their business than women with poor education can. 

Women who make higher income have stronger social and economic influence than those who have lower income. In decision making process of her business, a woman entrepreneur's education plays a crucial role.

Important factors for determining the socio-economic condition of women in tourism business include income, family support, training, professional satisfaction, growth in skill and capacity, changes taken place in every day affairs, problems related to the business, problems faced in the commencing phase, difficulty in language and gender inequalities.

However, it requires good coordination among old and new women tourism  entrepreneurs  to  increase  the  participations  of  women in tourism and to exchange their ideas and experience. Equality in right and opportunity rather than reservation matters for women empowerment in tourism (NTB 2009).