Women in tourism: gender (in)equalities in university teaching and research

Abstract

This research examines the situation of women in the academic field of tourism in four higher education institutions in Guayaquil and its surrounding area by looking into open and subtle gender inequalities. The study uses quantitative indicators to identify the percentages of men and women who hold teaching, research and leadership positions in the field of tourism. These results are complemented by qualitative analysis of oral testimony from nine female lecturers from across the four participating institutions, which discuss in greater depth the themes of access to academic jobs, discrimination in the workplace, work-life balance, gender stereotypes, and career progression. Results indicate that while there is a higher number of female than male academics in teaching (53%) and research (67%), female academics are underrepresented in relation to the percentage of female tourism students (75%). While the participants did not perceive any discrimination in terms of access to jobs or career progression, the managing of different roles for those who are also mothers is influenced by gender stereotypes and leads them to making career sacrifices in search of harmony between their personal and professional lives. Finally, it emerged that there is a societal perception that tourism is a female profession.