The involvement of women in the tourism industry of Bali, Indonesia

Abstract

This article examines gender roles in tourism employment in Bali, Indonesia through two case studies. The first considers the employment of women in tourism in a newly‐emerging destination area in the interior of the island. The second examines the employment of both women and men in selected tourism occupations in two established coastal resorts. While tourism has provided both women and men with greater occupational choices, there is differential access by gender to tourism employment in Bali. Furthermore, in the formal sector, women may be required to have superior qualifications and may be paid less than men in similar positions. At the same time as gaining access to employment outside the home, many women are expected to maintain current roles in religious matters and in the home.