EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN: DETERMINING FACTOR FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM
Abstract
Apstract: Empirical evidence suggests that the empowerment of rural women is an essential predictor of sustainable development in the tourism sector. As primary custodians of cultural capital and local traditions, their indispensable participation in community-based tourism initiatives significantly correlates with the improvement of economic sustainability, the preservation of cultural diversity, and the strengthening of social cohesion. This study investigates the causal relationship between the empowerment of rural women and tourism development, analyzes strategies for the amplification of their participation, and identifies inherent challenges. The central finding of the study implies that the empowerment of women is a key determinant of their inclination towards entrepreneurial activities within the domain of tourism.
References
Chen, Z., & Barcus, R.B. (2024). The rise of home-returning women's entrepreneurship in China's rural development: Producing the enterprising self through empowerment, cooperation, and networking. Journal of Rural Studies, 105, 103156, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2023.103156.
Despotović, A., Joksimović, M., Jovanović, M., & Maletić, R. (2018). Female entrepreneurship in Montenegro: motives and barriers. Agriculture and Forestry, 64 (4), 195-218. https://doi.org/10.17707/AgricultForest.64.4.21
de Groot, J., Mohlakoana, N., Knox, A., & Bressers, H. (2017). Fuelling women's empowerment? An exploration of the linkages between gender, entrepreneurship and access to energy in the informal food sector. Energy Research & Social Science, 28, 86-97, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2017.04.004.
Firstianto, V., Tyas, W.P., & Damayanti, M. (2024). Rurality and popularity of village tourism relation on sumenep village tourism - Indonesia. Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites, 55(3), 1018–1027. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.55304-1276
Gao, J., & Wu, B. (2017). Revitalizing traditional villages through rural tourism: A case study of Yuanjia Village, Shaanxi province, China. Tourism Management, 63, 223–233.
Jiang, Y., Zhu, L., Goulão, F.L., Li, X., Su, L., Chen, L., Li, A. (2024). The bamboo weaving training as a strategy for women's empowerment toward sustainability in rural revitalization: Practices, challenges and perspectives. Women's Studies International Forum, 106, 102975, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2024.102975.
Kitole, A.F., & Genda, L.E. (2024). Empowering her drive: Unveiling the resilience and triumphs of women entrepreneurs in rural landscapes. Women's Studies International Forum, 104, 102912, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2024.102912.
Ling, J.S.R., Wu, B., Park, J., Shu, H., Morrison, M.M.A. (2013). Women’s role in sustaining villages and rural tourism in China. Annals of Tourism Research, 43, 634-638, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2013.07.009.
Ljaljevic, A., Wenzel, H., & Laaser, U. (2023). Women in Montenegro exhibit a high degree of happiness and life satisfaction: Data from the Multiple Independent Cluster Survey 2018. South Eastern European Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.70135/seejph.vi.170
Pécot, M., Ricaurte-Quijano, C., Khoo, C., Vázquez, A.M., Barahona-Canales, D., Yang, L.C.E., Tan, R. (2024). From empowering women to being empowered by women: A gendered social innovation framework for tourism-led development initiatives. Tourism Management, 102, 104883, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2024.104883.
Regmi, R., Zhang, Z., Zhang, H. (2023). Entrepreneurship strategy, natural resources management and sustainable performance: A study of an emerging market. Resources Policy, 86(Part B), 104202, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.104202.
Rashwan, K.A., Mathew, V., Akef, R., & Elbaz, A.M. (2024). Bridging empowerment and entrepreneurship: how ngos foster women's success in Egypt's tourism industry. Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites, 57(4spl), 1991–1998. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.574spl13-1366
Sutrisno, A.D., Lee, C.H., Suhardono, S., & Suryawan, I.W.K. (2024). Empowering communities for sustainable transition: integrating tourism with economic and sociodemographic dynamics in post-mining strategies. Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites, 55(3), 1112–1123. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.55312-1284
Stanovčić, T., Peković, S., Vukčević, J. & Perović, Đ. (2018). Going Entrepreneurial: Agro-tourism and Rural Development in Northern Montenegro. Business Systems Research Journal, 9(1), 107-117. https://doi.org/10.2478/bsrj-2018-0009.
Sahrakorpi, T.., & Bandi, V. (2021). Empowerment or employment? Uncovering the paradoxes of social entrepreneurship for women via Husk Power Systems in rural North India. Energy Research & Social Science, 79, 102153, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102153.
Vujko, A., Tretiakova, N.T., Petrović, M., Radovanović, M., Gajić, T., Vuković, D. (2019): Women's empowerment through self-employment in tourism. Annals of tourism research, 76(May 2019), 328-330, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2018.09.004
Vujko, A., Bojović, R., Nedeljković, D., Jović, M.D., & Todorović, M.J. (2024a). Can organic farming contribute on sustainable women entrepreneurship in rural tourism? An nacional park evidence. Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites, 57(4spl), 1950–1970, https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.574spl01-13xx.
Vujko, A., Karabašević, D., Cvijanović, D., Vukotić, S., Brzaković, P., Mirčetić, V. (2024b). Women’s empowerment in rural tourism as a key of sustainable communities transformation. Sustainability 2024, 16, 10412. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310412
Zhang, Y., Wang, H., Zheng, K., & Yang, W. (2025). Empowering women's entrepreneurship: The role of green knowledge, innovation, and family support. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 10(1), 100639, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100639.
Zhao, Y., Zhan, Q., Du, G., & Wei, Y. (2024). The effects of involvement, authenticity, and destination image on tourist satisfaction in the context of Chinese ancient village tourism. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 60, 51-62, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2024.06.008.