Equality and Tourism

“What are the issues around participation and equality in the tourism
industry?”
Tourism plays a huge role in the economy of any nation, and it provides lots of job
opportunities, directly or indirectly all across the globe. The most important aspect of tourism
for any country is the income they provide in billions. Numerous societies, exceptionally in
progressing countries, they think tourism is the only way to progression and indeed the sole
means of raising the level of livelihood as an outcome, the tourism industry now integrated
both coastal and mountainside destinations, and even urban areas and big towns. A social
quality along with ecological processes of home community around the planet is suffering
from the activities between entrepreneurs and visitors. Through the economics viewpoint, the
tourism industry creates income and employment opportunities, however most jobs in
tourism sectors are low paying jobs. From a socio-cultural standpoint tourism fosters
harmony by bringing up individuals from much racial, ethnic and ethnic diversity. However,
many communities all around the world have lost their cultural identity due to globalisation.
Tourism sectors also contributed to the establishment of national parks and other highly
protected regions, to save rare specimens of plants and animals. But it has been proven that
visitors or tourists are a concern because of the pollution they produce, and they might also
harm certain endangered specimens of animals and plants. Business owners of the tourism
sector are also responsible for the complete disregard towards regional customs and the
ecosystem.  In this essay it will be discussing the Impact of tourism on society from three
different angles: economic, social and cultural, and environmental. It will also be
exploring the impact increased tourism has on Stakeholders, the emergence of new markets in
the tourism sector. Followed by, the impact of the tourism sector taking into consideration
equality and the positive and negative impacts of tourism on global destinations. 

Tourism and travel industry is the largest industry around the globe. It also boosts social
integration, provides a lot of employment opportunities, encourages industrial growth and
fosters stability. This industry is a source of livelihood for millions of people worldwide. The
tourism sector is the one of the biggest and quickly growing industries around the globe, with
estimated annual growth of 4.8% in the year 2018 exceeding that of the global economy by
4% for the seventh consecutive year (Jaelani, 2020). This indicates that the growth of the
tourism sector was almost 50% larger compared to the international economy. The following
year, it produced 11% of the world’s “Gross domestic product” and recruited almost 300
million personnel worldwide. In the year 2018, foreign visitors reached 1.23 billion with a
rise of 8% over the last year and the fastest growing rate in seven years. It is estimated that by
the year 2025 there will be a 2.4% rise in global tourist arrival, which indicates that almost 6
million people will be travelling via international borders every day (Sofronov, 2018). 

In the year 2018, a total of 3.8 million people visited the United Kingdom, in previous year
39.2 million people visited the UK which is record high. International citizens spent £2.9
billion alone in July 2019, highlighting how important the tourism sector is for the local
economy. In terms of numbers the citizens of America travelled the most as 3.8 million
people visited the UK in the year 2018, accompanied by France. Data on tourism in London
shows how famous the capital city is as compared to other cities of the UK since it received 8
times more tourists as a second most visited city. With 63 % of trips to the UK are related to
vacations, holidays are indeed the primary reason visitors travel to the UK (Condor Ferries,
2021). According to the data of the World tourism organisation, the United Kingdom ranked
7th in the global arrival league in the year 2017.

As expansive and economically significant as the tourism industry is, it stands out for the
diversity of its constituent parts. Stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry can include
anybody owning a bed and breakfast or giving a trip around their region. Global
hospitality companies, shipping companies, shipping ports, airports and airlines industries
generate billions of dollars annually. When researchers analyse the tourism sector in this
perspective, people are able to appreciate not only the enormous economic influence it exerts
on the globe, yet also the potential life-changing consequences it might have on individuals in
various locations (Sofronov, 2018).

Travellers from developing markets are becoming more prevalent, and whenever they do,
they tend to spend more money than visitors from other countries. Like France and Italy don't
appear to have greatly expanded their travel spending in recent years. When it comes to their
ability to spend money and exert influence on the places they visit, these travellers are now
lagging behind those from developing nations like Brazil. Beyond just the BRIC nations,
more people are travelling abroad. Visitors to Britain are increasing most swiftly from
developing nations like Egypt, Argentina, and Hungary (Dredge, 2019). However, in
comparison to the mass tourism outflow from the populous BRIC countries, travellers from
these smaller countries are unable to have the same influence on their destinations in terms of
both visitor numbers and collective buying power.

New difficulties are being faced by the tourism industry. The number of visitors worldwide is
rising, and their flows are changing as new sectors form. The New Markets for Tourism This
new market and sector, together with all of its varied demands, preferences, and customs, are
explored in Drivers, Specifications, and Guidance. Emerging markets are found in regions
with growing economies (such as Asia and the Middle East) and the densest populations (like
India, China, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico) and it is anticipated that additional emerging
origin businesses will join those that have already been identified by the giants (China and
Russian Federation) as significant new arrivals to the tourism industry (Philip, 2020).

Although International mega-events like the world cup and the Olympics, it is seldom used in
reaction to athletic occasions that take place yearly in the same nation. This loophole has
been filled by the recent study conducted by the researchers, which demonstrate that holding
F1 races on a regular basis does, in fact, constitute a dependable tourist attraction, increasing
travel demand in host nations by a median of 7%. The study revealed that organising a street
race may attract more tourists than a track race. Organising a street race is much more
beneficial than arranging a track race like an F1 race (Strom, 2020). Because the impression
that street races have are more unexpected and that it is easier to watch from adjoining
restaurants and hotels without a need to purchase tickets are key factors in their capacity to
draw in more people. Since Tourist experience and behaviour are most explored topics in the
tourism sector. Consumer behaviour implies particular choices, action, concept, or events that
fulfil the requirements and desire of customers. This is engaged with all actions immediately
associated with acquisition, use and disposal of goods and services, such as decision-making
that lead up to those acts (Senbeto, 2020).

Gender analysis is one of the most important and comprehensive activities that the tourism
sector faces.  In several civilizations across the planet, a person's sexuality and the
assumptions that come with it greatly influence how someone's existence is defined. Women
in particular have indeed been subjected to racial standards for just a significant portion of
history. The issue of gender parity has primarily gained traction in popular social debate
during the decade that has passed (Figueroa, 2020). Sexual equality has come a long way
over the years, but there are still many areas where it has to be achieved. In several areas
around the world, the tourism sector consists of the majority of women employees. Global
data of UNWTO (“The World Tourism Organisation”) shows that women include 54% of the
workforce in the tourism sector  as opposed to only 39% in the overall economy. This implies
that advancing gender equity in this field has the potential to transform the lifestyles of
numerous women (Vizcaino, 2020). 
But even while women account for the majority of a sizable portion of the tourist sector,
women are mostly placed in positions with gender pay gaps and low-level positions in jobs.
Surprisingly, researchers discovered that the tourist sector had a considerably smaller wage
difference among women and men than the financial sector (Dashper, 2020). Females in this
profession made a total of 14.9% less revenue than male, relative to a difference of 16.7%
within economic output. Additionally, it revealed that in comparison to other financial
sectors, Tourism sector provides higher managerial opportunities for women. The data
allowed us to conclude that women make up 23% of tourism officials globally. It suggests
that although women experience injustice in the workplace, which is present globally, on
average, it isn't as severe as it is within other industries. This represents a positive idea for
advancing this industry's progress and motivating companies to reconsider existing recruiting
policies towards women and girls (Hutchings, 2020). The wage gap between genders, the
incident of sexism and gender related savagery and other aspects of female and male
existence are all impacted by gender discrimination in the United Kingdom. “The Office of
National Statistics” (ONS) UK reports that in March 2020, average wages for employees in
the tourism sector was 8% lower for women as compared to their male counter path
(Oreffice, 2021).

Based on the area's advantage, tourism might have a distinct impact on global destination and
society. Both beneficial and harmful effects are possible. Some of the beneficial impacts of
tourism are: huge investments are made for conserving the area culture and traditions,
upgrading the public framework plus developing sustainable native facilities designed to
boost tourism sector. These development in return result in improved chance for natives to
take part in various venture, acquire quality schooling, and escort to a higher standard of
living in general (Castela, 2018). Various job possibilities have grown out of the demand for
high-quality service. There is no need for people to dislocate to different areas to find a job. 
Humans merge with visitors and mix with people of many races and backgrounds, promoting
cosmopolitan cultures. Obstructive impacts of tourism are: Every widening constrain
significant changing the physical environment. Even indigenous wildlife and plants might
face fear of extension. Due to the coastline redevelopment, people were imposed to dislocate.
Rising numbers of people may lead to larger demand for land and asset; it may also cause
overexploitation of resources. Sewage treatment issues can occur, and if they aren't
appropriately treated, the scenario might deteriorate (Chang, 2018). The area’s natural system
is affected by contamination carried by increasing pedestrian jam, increased conveying,
increase sound pollution, and imperfect sanitation services. 

Financial concerns have generally become the driving force behind the travel sector. The
business is appealing for many people due to the financial potential, including money, jobs,
and urban regeneration linked to tourism activities. Businesses and locations, however the
economy is crucial, this has made a transition from several other incredibly significant
concerns related to the promotion of the economy. The local society's participation in tourism
activities becomes a crucial viewpoint that this essay aims to present. The debate on the
expansion of tourism could be separated from the local community. It's due to they're
essential to the growth of industry. This particular essay begins with a brief examination of
how the tourism industry has developed and become more accessible to consumers and the
impact tourism has on stakeholders. There is also a brief examination of the emergence of
new markets within the tourism industry to facilitate increasing consumer needs and
motivations to travel followed by the impact of new markets in travel experience and
behaviour. Lastly there is a study of the impact of tourism on gender inequality,
unemployment and gender pay gap with positive and negative impact of tourism on society.
References:

Castela, A., 2018. Impacts of tourism in an urban community: The case of Alfama. Athens
Journal of Tourism, 5(2), pp.133-148.

Chang, K.G., Chien, H., Cheng, H. and Chen, H.I., 2018. The impacts of tourism
development in rural indigenous destinations: An investigation of the local residents’
perception using Choice Modeling. Sustainability, 10(12), p.4766.

CondorFerries, UK tourism statistics 2020-2021: Latest Data. Condor Ferries. Available at:
https://www.condorferries.co.uk/uk-tourism-statistics [Accessed September 22, 2022].

Dashper, K., 2020. Mentoring for gender equality: Supporting female leaders in the
hospitality industry. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 88, p.102397.

Dredge, D., Phi, G.T.L., Mahadevan, R., Meehan, E. and Popescu, E., 2019. Digitalisation in
Tourism: In-depth analysis of challenges and opportunities.

Figueroa-Domecq, C. and Segovia-Perez, M., 2020. Application of a gender perspective in

tourism research: a theoretical and practical approach. Journal of Tourism Analysis: Revista
de Análisis Turístico.

Hutchings, K., Moyle, C.L., Chai, A., Garofano, N. and Moore, S., 2020. Segregation of
women in tourism employment in the APEC region. Tourism Management Perspectives, 34,
p.100655.

Jaelani, A.K., Handayani, I.G.A.K.R. and Karjoko, L., 2020. Development of tourism based
on geographic indication towards to welfare state. International Journal of Advanced Science
and Technology, 29(3s), pp.1227-1234.

Oreffice, S. and Quintana-Domeque, C., 2021. Gender inequality in COVID-19 times:

Evidence from UK prolific participants. Journal of Demographic Economics, 87(2), pp.261-
287.

 Philip pearce, E.,2020. Tourism's new markets. Tourism's New Markets - Goodfellow
Publishers. Available at: https://www.goodfellowpublishers.com/academic-publishing.php?
promoCode=partnerID&partnerID=&content=story&storyID=438 [Accessed September 23,
2022].
Senbeto, D.L. and Hon, A.H., 2020. The impacts of social and economic crises on tourist
behaviour and expenditure: an evolutionary approach. Current Issues in Tourism, 23(6),
pp.740-755.

Sofronov, B. (2018). “The Development of the Travel and Tourism Industry in the World.”
Annals of Spiru Haret University. Economic Series, 18(4), 123-137.

Sofronov, B., 2018. The development of the travel and tourism industry in the world. Annals
of Spiru Haret University. Economic Series, 18(4), pp.123-137.

Storm, R.K., Jakobsen, T.G. and Nielsen, C.G., 2020. The impact of Formula 1 on regional
economies in Europe. Regional Studies, 54(6), pp.827-837.

Vizcaino, P., Jeffrey, H. and Eger, C. eds., 2020. Tourism and gender-based violence:
Challenging inequalities. Cabi.