Glass Ceilings and Glass Elevators as Gender Segregation in Female Employment in the Tourism Sector

Abstract

There is no need to highlight the importance of women as religious and cultural history is full of roles that women have played in religious, cultural, as well as business activities. Starting from Hazrat Khadija R.A., Muslim women are always admired and well-known for their acts and responsibilities. Although due to some adopted cultural, familial, political, and social barriers, professional growth of women is always hindered. Similar is the case in the Islamic world where women have to encounter several barriers in their professional growth. However, growth in the tourism industry is a special case due to the perception attached to the industry and working practices. The situation is not getting improved not only due to cultural and religious barriers but also due to inability of the educational sector to train and groom women as employees and entrepreneurs. Therefore, this chapter has been written specifically with reference to the hurdles that Muslim women are experiencing in their professional growth with special emphasis on barriers in the tourism industry.