Ecotourism and Women : A study about Sub-Saharan Women and Ecotourism

Abstract: Ecotourism is seen as an outcome of environmental movements and uprisings that demonstrated the sustainability limitations of mass tourism. Ecotourism has five key principles which are to encourage community participation, empower vulnerable groups, stimulate environmental conservation, preserve local culture, and deliver economic benefits for the area. It is important with involvement of the community in ecotourism. The involvement of women in ecotourism is important, since women establish a large proportion of the sector and depend on tourism for their own and their families survival. Tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the fastest growing sectors, and a driving force for socio-economic development in the region. Women engage with ecotourism in different ways in the Sub-Saharan African region. Most of the women’s roles in ecotourism are linked to societal gender norms in the Sub-Saharan region. The study points out the importance of gender, empowerment, and intersectionality being considered for ecotourism. This, in order for ecotourism to fulfil its main purpose.