Examining the Relationship between Tourism and Gender Equality: Evidence from Asia

Abstract

This study analyzes the relationship between tourism and gender equality using panel vector autoregression and vector error correction models estimated by the generalized method of moment. This methodology is based on panel data from 36 Asian countries between 2006 and 2019. The other three variables including the economy, employment, and education are also analyzed. The results show that there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between tourism and gender equality. In the short run, tourism is not the Granger cause for gender equality; however, tourism significantly contributes to gender equality in all regions in the long run. Furthermore, a heterogeneous causality between tourism and gender equality is found across the regions. Tourism’s positive effect on gender equality does not depend entirely on economic empowerment. All the economy, education and employment mostly contribute to realizing gender equality, but this contribution is not decisive. The findings and policy implications are finally discussed.