The Effects of Tourism on The Economic and Social Life of Rural Women
Synopsis
This study examines the effects of tourism on the economic and social lives of rural women, focusing on those living in the Ören neighborhood of Milas district in Muğla. Within the scope of the research, face-to-face surveys were conducted with 102 women alongside in-depth interviews with 10 women, resulting in the acceptance of all eight hypotheses. The findings reveal that the tourism sector provides rural women with new employment opportunities, granting them economic independence, boosting their self-confidence, and expanding their social networks to enhance their participation in social life. Women prefer tourism over agricultural activities due to its financial returns, opportunities for socialization, and less physically demanding nature. Additionally, tourism increases the added value of local products such as olives, olive oil, and handicrafts, generating supplementary household income. On the other hand, participation in tourism has not altered women's domestic responsibilities or traditional gender roles, as women continue to be predominantly employed in low-skilled positions such as kitchen work and cleaning, which serve as extensions of household chores. Consequently, tourism plays a highly strategic and positive role in empowering rural women socio-economically and improving their quality of life.
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