How Does Tourism Reduce Social Inequality

Tourism contributes to and reflects social inequality but, crucially through its exploitation of ways which tourism can be a means to reduce social inequality or reduce its impact. Tourism has always been a site for and a contributor to social inequality (Morgan & Pritchard, 1999 p. 216) While tourism expands at a rapid pace, the gender inequalities become more evident along with the need for more complex understanding of them. Inequality is experienced differently in relation to cultural context, social class, gender, ethnicity, age and disability. Sex tourism demonstrates gender inequalities through sex tourism and the exploitation of women in foreign countries. The equality faced through sex tourism can create dual economies in the local

According to the Philippine Women’s Research Collective (1985, p. 8) reports that sex tourism is the third largest source of foreign exchange in the Philippines. An estimate of 70-80 percent of male tourist travelling from Japan, the United States, Australia and Western Europe to Asia are strictly for the purpose of sexual entertainment (Gay, 1985, p. 34) This demonstrates that due to the lack of job opportunities available for women that provide health, financial security and equal pay to that of men, are so small that women in developing countries must resort to sexual exploitations as a source income to support themselves and their families. Therefore, tourist use their financial advantages over local communities and take advantage of their women. When one member of a family alone cannot provide enough support, families will also sell their young daughter to sex trafficking in order to cut down family costs. The gender inequalities these young girls face effect the rest of their lives, whereas the young boys in the family are able to receive a minimum wage job to help assist around the house without effecting his life. These family behaviours demonstrate how human rights and child rights are violated by tourism

Citizens can be punished under this law even if the conduct they engaged in was legal in the country where it occurred. For example, if an individual traveled to a country that had legalized prostitution, and while they were there they paid a child for sex, that individual could still be convicted under this statute. The penalty for this provision is up to 30 years in prison.” (The United States, Department of Justice)

When this behaviour is not acceptable in the United States why does it make it alright for citizens of developing countries and different social class?

Empowerment is viewed as a critical aspect of gender equality, and suggests that a society where women are able to enjoy the same opportunities as men, in all aspects of life. One major way of promoting gender inequality is empowering women to identify and correct power imbalances and providing women with the independence to manage their own lives. The empowerment is important to sustainable development and understanding of human rights for all. By empowering women in different aspect of life, women can increase power and control of the economic, education, natural resources and political empowerment in