Factors that Affect Women’s Economic Participation in Tourism Sector

Abstract

This study examines the factors that affect the economic participation of women in the tourism sector, and the factors lead to promote women’s desire to work in the tourism sector or not, and whether they continue to work in it or withdraw. In order to achieve these goals the study aims at analyzing the factors influencing women’s economic participation in this sector. The study adopted the qualitative methodology. In-depth interviews and focus groups discussion were used to collect data using the qualitative approach. The study found that women in Jordanian society, despite their adherence to the mechanisms of modernity and their involvement in new fields in the domains of education and employment, are still in a state of absence in the tourism sector. Patriarchy and Patriarchal culture are dominating the issue of women's work in this sector. The study also found that the main reason behind women’s willingness to work or remain working in the sector is the flexibility of work that harmonizes with the domestic life of women. Whereas the dominance of the negative symbolic patriarchal system carried by members of the society towards the tourism sector is one of the main reasons that limit the sustainability of women's work in tourism. The study recommended the need for adopting encouraging work policies in the sector to provide better opportunities for women work in tourism.