Women's Employment in Tourism Sector in Turkey, Issues Faced, and the Effect of Glass Ceiling Syndrome on Women Workforce in Tourism

Abstract

After the Second World War, there has been a significant increasein the income of individuals worldwide. The increase in income hasproportionally brought about more work, tiring working conditions andthe fatigue of the working life. These factors along with ecologicalcomponents, employees’ need for rest, the spread of mass media, andthe advancement of technology have been influential in the developmentof tourism. As a matter of fact, these developments have been growingand growing every year. The number of tourists has increased everyyear giving rise to increased international tourism revenues. Tourismmovement on a world scale is in an ever increasing trend. According tothe data of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 673 millionpeople participated in the tourism movement in 2000, while the saidparticipation increased to 1.046 million in 2010. According to theestimates of the same Organization, the number of people participatingin the tourism movement on a global scale will increase to 1.602 millionin 2020. In parallel with this mobility, it has been estimated thatapproximately 2 trillion dollars of international tourism income will begenerated in 2020 (www.unwto.org, 23.03.2011). The growth of tourismand the increase in the number of investments in tourism point to agrowing employment potential. The choice of seasonal employment inmany destinations of tourism offers opportunities especially for twogroups in terms of job opportunities; women and young people. The aimof this study was to focus on employment and especially femaleemployment in the tourism sector, which is an ever growing trend,called smokeless industry in economies of countries, and which is the star of service sector. Problems in female employment and especiallyglass ceiling syndrome have been examined through literature review.