Socio-Economic Status of Women Participating in TourismIndustry (A Case Study of Women of Lakeside-6, Pokhara)

Abstract

Socio-Economic Status of Women Participating in TourismIndustry (A Case Study of Women of Lakeside-6, Pokhara) Tourism can be a key to the success and sustainability of the socio-economic empowerment of women in Nepal. So women’s involvement in the tourismsector should be kept in mind as it is a fast growing industry and there are manyopportunities for women within it. The general objective of this study is to find out the “Socio-economic status ofwomen participating in Tourism Industry of Fewa Lakeside of Pokhara city”. Thespecific objectives of this study are: to prepare a demographic profile of women workingin tourism industry, to analyze the socio–economic status of women participating intourism industry and to identify the problems faced by women involved in tourismindustry. This study is based on the “Gender Perspective.” The field of this study is theFewa-Lakeside, located in the ward no 6 of Pokhara sub-metropolitan city, which is oneof the largest tourist destinations in Nepal. The universe of this study is about 660 variousbusiness spots on the main road side of Fewa Lakeside. This universe has covered thearea from the Kharare Chowk on the North to Fishtail Gate on the south of Main Street ofLakeside. For the sample size, 70 informants were selected purposively. The first samplewas selected on the basis of first come first business spot where women were involvedand others were selected then by selecting each 10th business spot from the previous spotwhere women were involved. Both primary as well as secondary data were used as theraw materials for research. Questionnaire schedule, observation and interview techniqueswere adopted for the collection of primary information and data. Secondary data werecollected from various tourism related offices, organizations, published books, articlesand internet websites. The analysis of data was performed by using popular computer software SPSS (11.0). Various tables, figures, charts and statistical techniqueswere usedfor the analysis and presentation of the data. Among the total 70 respondents, the economically active age group (25 to 40 yrs)women were involved in tourism industry. In the study area there was the dominancy ofmigrated people. Among the respondents, most of them were found to be Hindu andBrahmins. Women who were involved in tourism industry were somehow literate. It wasfound that majority of married women involved in tourism industry. Among therespondents, most of them were from nuclear family. The participation of women withhigh fertility was found to be comparatively low. The main income source of respondents' family was tourism. Most of therespondents involved in this sector were as family member because their malecounterpart proprietor of this business. Women from family business spent more hours intheir working place. Most of the respondents rented house for their business and most ofthem realized that the house rent was too much. Most of the respondents were notsatisfied with their present business/job because of low income in recent year, longworking hours and over load to work. This study shows the sufficiency level of income ofthe respondents that is generated from their business/job which is still low, so they had tomanagethe required economy from other sources like bank loan and previous stock. Inthis study some respondents wanted to close their business because of heavy loss inbusiness. Women's involved in tourism industry, were found socially and politicallybackwardin the study area. Among the respondents, most of them were motivated in tourism industry formaking money. The major problem faced by them was economic problem. Thus, womenrealized difficulties to play dual roles: household work and business/job together. Mostof the respondents agreed that there was high gender discrimination in this field. Most ofthem realized that they had to work longer hours than men and felt that they had feweropportunities in various fields. They were paid low salary and even faced sexual harassment or assault from tourists as well. People had both positive and negativeinsights towards women involved in this sector. Hence, women had very less decisiverole in and outside the home.