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Explore the gendered practices embedded in global and national tourism firms and institutions, and their impact on workers and suppliers in Kenya. Discover implications of economic and social upgrading/downgrading on female workers and artisan suppliers along the tourism value chain.
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A Gendered Tourism Global Value Chain Better Work Conference October 27, 2011 Washington, D.C. Economic Upgrading Lessons from Kenya Michelle ChristianDuke University
Tourism global value chain Follow tourist’s “footprint” Activities in outbound and inbound markets Each segment large and micro firms Multiple “distribution channels”
Outbound Country Inbound Country Intl. Distribution Intl. Transport Regional Distribution Regional Transport Lodging Excursions Tourist Travel Agent International Air Carrier National Travel Agent National Air Carriers Luxury Hotels Activities Tour Operator Cruise National Tour Operator Ground Transportation Services Large Hotels Local Guides Global Distribution Systems Local Tour Operator Small Hotels National Parks, Monuments Natural Assets in Tourist Destinations Flora/Fauna, Environment, Historical Sites, Identity Groups Independent Destination Management Organization Retail
Tourism lead firms • Coordination, logistics, bundling capabilities; control marketing, information, direct access to international tourists • Global lead firms, tour operators (TUI, Kuoni, Rewe, Mark Travel Corporation); cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean); hotels (InterCon, Marriott, Hilton); airlines (United Continental, Lufthansa ); global distribution providers (Sabre, Travelport) • Growth of regional lead firms
Inbound Country Regional Distribution Regional Transport Lodging Excursions Gender Composition Categories Few women National Travel Agent National Air Carriers Luxury Hotels Activities Many women but job segregation National Tour Operator Large Hotels Local Guides Ground Transportation Services Many women National Parks, Monuments Local Tour Operator Small Hotels Retail, Restaurant Destination Management Organizations
Gender and the global economy Move analysis to a framework of gendered practices along the value chain • Feminization of labor • Perceptions of “men’s work” “women’s work” • Economic utility – gender wage gap, flexible labor • Visceral feelings and ideological undertones to justify status quo gender inequality • GVCs embedded in gendered economies • Labor structures • Economic rents are gained • Facilitate private governance relationships • Implications and outcomes of upgrading
Mombasa, Kenya Hotel product and functional upgrading/downgrading Implications and consequences for female workers Implications and consequences for female artisan suppliers
Gendered practices along the tourism global value chain in Mombasa
Gender consequences to labor casualization S = service chargeH = housing allowanceA = annual wage increase U = union participation
Key Findings Gendered Tourism Global Value Chain Michelle Christian mmc22@soc.duke.edu There are gendered practices embedded in global firms, national firms, and institutions that create gendered constraints to and consequences from upgrading Hotel economic upgrading/downgrading in Kenya created gendered consequences for workers and artisan suppliers Social upgrading for permanent female workers at upgraded hotels; social downgrading for female casual workers at upgraded and downgraded hotels; all female artisan entrepreneurs face upgrading constraints
Recommendations Gendered Tourism Global Value Chain Michelle Christian mmc22@soc.duke.edu : Global Buyers – Tour Operators, Tour Operator Initiative : National NGO monitoring – example Fair Trade Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) : Tourism Development Plans
Better Work for hotel sub-sector Gendered Tourism Global Value Chain Michelle Christian mmc22@soc.duke.edu • Opportunity • Market for sustainability • Private initiatives, e.g., Tour Operator Initiative • National initiatives, e.g., Fair Trade Tourism South Africa • Challenges • Branded hotel sensitivities • Tour operator and travel agent support • New monitoring indicators • Monitoring overload