Nepal Tourism

Tourism is one of the rapidly growing economic activities in the world that open doors equally for both women and men. As tourism industry is mainly based on hospitality attributes, women's active participation in it is substantially valuable. However, women holding up half the sky have showed their very limited presence in tourism. In this scenario, it is necessary to pay much attention to women’s participations.

The study and analysis of women’s participation in tourism industry of Pokhara showed that the history of their participation is just one and half decade old. Since then, there have been growing participations, awareness and decision making capacities of women than earlier. However, their overall  positions  are  far  behind  their  male  counterparts.  Hotel  sub- sector holds the first position for involving the highest number of women workers, which is followed by trekking sub-sector as the second highest jobs creating sub-sector. It is found that women involved in trekking sub- sector of tourism have not only become independent, but also able to financially support their family members with their income. However, they still lacked the access to household as well as business decision making process.

A  majority  of  women,  who  are  involved  as  tourism  entrepreneurs, were found to be satisfied in their businesses. This is because they experienced that it helped them to participate in economic activities with their ownerships. From the perspective of the inclusion of women in tourism industry in Pokahra, it is largely dominated by males in spite of the reality that women’s involvement can be equally more important for the excellence of hospitality services. This chapter brought attention that the sustainable growth of tourism business and women’s inclusive participation are reciprocal for each other's benefits. Tourism businesses’ respective inclusions of women can up-scale the hospitality levels in working environment which can ultimately benefit the industry both immediately and in the long run. This, however, needs the considerable growth in the knowledge, skills and capacity buildings of women in tourism. With the capacity building endeavors, women can also observe a lot professional satisfactions through positive changes on their life styles, economic independencies, habits, and manners. It can be instrumental for not only their awareness building but also promoting tourism in Pokhara and also Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, .

This chapter pointed out various challenges for women involved in tourist business of Pokhara. The patriarchal ideology, with a belief that women cannot handle work and duties as swiftly and skillfully as men can, has still prevailed in tourism in Pokhara. However, in spite of the negative attitude of the society (both family relationships and work environment) toward women in tourism, the honest, diligent and hardworking women have started to experience a significant development in their skill, capability and positions. Additionally, some women have realized a gradual change in the society’s attitude from negative to positive toward their involvement and potentials in tourism in Pokhara.

There is a great concern for gender equality in tourism where adequate, dignified, balanced and respectful presence of women can be developed in a sustainable manner.   All stakeholders like professional tourism associations, tourism entrepreneurs (practitioners), government, Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, Tourism Board, researchers and academicians and women (both as workers and entrepreneurs) themselves need to sit together to identify the most pressing issues and addressing them jointly. The government should play constructive roles to offer equal right, opportunity and capacity building related interventions for women.

Furthermore, the following recommendations should be considered for releasing women from various problems they face:

y      Existing patriarchal mind set in tourism is a barrier to women to enhance their role in hospitality conduct, which needs to be changed with proper sensitization, advocacy and awareness campaigns. It also must convince, encourage and build their confidence for the better opportunity for them in tourism industry;

y      Public  awareness  regarding  the  positive  aspects  of  tourism should be increased.

y      Very few women are involved in tourism. Therefore, women’s contribution to tourism should be appreciated;

y      Women can grasp better opportunity if they have learned skills and taken training before joining this industry;

y      The law against sexual abuse should be implemented effectively (Also the formulation and implementation of code of conduct are desirable.);

y      In  view  of  limited  involvement  of  women  in  tourism,  equal opportunity should be created for women’s proportionate participation; and

y       The negative attitude of the society toward women’s career in tourism should be changed.