Essay Example on Women in Tourism: Challenges & Opportunities

Source: Gavhane. G.D (2020). Employment Opportunities and Challenges in Tourism and Hospitality sectors. Our Heritage, 68(11), 509-516. https://archives.ourheritagejournal.com/index.php/oh/article/view/3653

Summary

Discrimination is a key challenge facing the tourism industry, and managers should be keen on the operations. For instance, women were found to be the key contributors to the economy at 50%, yet they earn less adding up to 10% of the income. Contrary to men, women work in businesses and families, thus having a workload (Gavhane, 2020). According to United Nations World Tourism Organization, women who were semi-skilled and unskilled, were found to work within the vulnerable sectors within the industry. Within these vulnerable sectors, such women were exposed to poverty, sexual harassment, poor maternal deaths, among others. Financial flexibility is a challenge as the jobs are located at a far distance away from home. A lesser number of women is found within the managerial positions compared to men who are dominating. For instance, within Europe, women within the scientific fields sum up to 29%, while within European Union women take only 32% of the managers in various companies (Gavhane, 2020).

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New Things I Learned

According to Gavhane, it clear that the discriminatory element is connected to many other things such as the level of education, gender, culture, among others. More so, women are more vulnerable compared to men. Women work extremely hard in providing labor and services, but they earn less compared to the income they make. Due to the many responsibilities imposed on women, such as parental responsibilities and other family responsibilities, women are forced to leave the business industry. Leaving the industry is contributed to the fact that the industry does not support baby care facilities. People with disabilities are less recognized within the tourism industry as their numbers within the industry are less, and they are rarely promoted. Again, the article is evident in the contributions made by the tourism sector, which may be direct, indirect, or induced. Examples of direct contributions include transportation, travel, and tourism contribution as well as recreation. Generally, the total due is directed to employment and the country's Gross Domestic Production.

How it Impacts the Hospitality Industry

Discrimination may be seen to have negative impacts on employees but contribute positively to the finances of the tourism industry. Less skilled women avail one, cheap labor, and they produce large income within the industry yet less pay. This is a positive impact on the industry. Negatively, overworking employees can lead to their poor health and as well as breaking the family structure due to less attention impacted on it. Furthermore, the industry may negatively paint their image due to the failure of employing the disabled. The common phrase that disability is not inability should be enacted. Not only are the employees affected, but even tourists. Disabled tourist finds it difficult traveling within various facilities and destinations due to lack of supportive facilities.

Additionally, the industry's financial state is affected, considering some of the women in the managerial positions may decide or forced by circumstances to leave the industry, yet more resources were spent through them. For instance, when an individual in the administrative position goes, a new employee will be required; thus, some training can be done on them, and this is costly in terms of cost and time. Improving the conditions, especially those of disabled and reduce discrimination, would improve their financial income. Some tourists are so definite and cannot visit areas that have been associated with discrimination in one way or another. Therefore, discrimination has affected the tourism industry both positively and negatively.