Mujer, desarrollo rural y turismo. Análisis de casos en comarcas rurales andaluzas

Abstract

This paper analyzes the role of women in rural tourism, based on an analysis of cases in several rural regions of Andalusia. From a structured survey to owners of tourist accommodation, we performed a comparative analysis of gender based on the ownership and management of these accommodations, thus identifying the role being played by women in this sector. This has allowed us to demonstrate the extent to which women participate in this activity and, therefore, in the economy of rural areas. Therefore, we can conclude that, for rural counties analyzed, as stated in the literature, rural tourism is set to one of the economic activities that most potential can have when promoting the inclusion of women in social and economic life in rural areas, demonstrating the value and reflects the “invisible” work that historically have been playing. However, this activity, like many others made by rural women, seems to be playing, in certain aspects, the traditional role they have played in traditional rural societies, which may represent a significant barrier and limitations for own personal and professional development as well as for rural development in these areas, in general.