Exploring exploitation in Southern Africa : gender in the heritage tourism sector

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the place of women in the heritage and cultural tourism (HCT) sector with a particular focus on exploitation. It specifically considers the often-overlooked issue of gender, particularly among those who form the backbone of this industry. The objective was to investigate the potential existence of exploitative practices affecting these women in their daily lives. The analysis makes use of an intersectional methodology to consider the complex and nuanced nature of the situation. It employed an exploratory research methodology using purposive snowballing to examine the well-being of women working in the field of HCT within seven southern Africa countries using semi-structured interviews with service providers operating in both the formal and informal economy. The findings reveal that the industry subtly subjects its female workforce to various forms of exploitation and highlights the concerning reality that, even in the twenty-first century, situations resembling Kafkaesque scenarios can still arise for this vulnerable group. The study emphasizes the need for a fresh perspective that underscores the importance of conducting further critiques to enhance visibility and protection for this vulnerable group in the HCT industry. It also develops a novel diagrammatic wheel of exploitation to highlight and potentially address these issues in the sector.