Women in transition: Gendered hosts in Karimunjawa Island tourism, Indonesia

Abstract

Karimunjawa Island is one of the many attractive tourist destinations in Indonesia. The central government has designated it as a National Strategic Tourism Area (KSPN), following the positive trend of tourist arrivals and the plan to integrate the area with other tourism destinations. Meanwhile, transformations are also happening in the local community, including changes in sources of livelihood. The most prevalent of this is the increase in women’s participation in the tourism industry, especially how they take on important jobs that lead to increased income at the household level. This study explores the relationship between tourism development and the increase in participation of women in the productive age, the variations amongst different villages on the same island, and the influential factors in this phenomenon. By using statistical data, a quantitative analysis was conducted to uncover the connection between differences in women’s productivity and improvements in village prosperity. The results were then further analyzed qualitatively to uncover the reasons behind the relationship. Interviews with relevant stakeholders unearthed information regarding the reasons for the changes and the underlying motivations that caused it. The study revealed that although the involvement of women in tourism may positively impact household prosperity, the issues of gender inequality in terms of tourism employment persists.