the role of tourism in natural resource management in the okavango ...

One of the most noted impacts of tourism on employment opportunities is the
creation of a new division of labour between the sexes and within the household.
Young women now have the opportunity to secure jobs in tourist services such as
hotels or in the production of crafts and souvenirs for the market (Schneider, 1993).
2.8.2 Negative Economic Impacts of Tourism
Even though tourism can bring significant economic benefits to host destinations,
governments and local communities, it is also associated with negative
consequences (Schneider, 1993).
The tourism industry is seasonal and therefore employs people on a temporary or
part-time basis (Schneider, 1993). Tourism employees are usually laid off work
during the low season. As a result, the tourism industry cannot provide secure,
meaningful jobs for many local residents, and their bargaining power for better
wages and conditions is reduced (Blank, 1989; Williams and Shaw, 1991). The
residual effects of underemployed or unemployed people for the remaining 'non­
peak' seasons create an economic drain on the town's welfare support systems
(Schneider, 1993). In addition to tourism employment being seasonal and part-time,
the industry creates low-quality and low paid jobs that do not help workers,
especially women, escape their cycle of poverty. Also, tourism employment offers
few or no benefits, provides very little advancement possibilities, and requires only
low level, or no entry skills (Martha, 1993). This criticism is particularly relevant for
small rural communities, where tourism is often the economic mainstay and major
employer (Blank, 1989; Martha, 1993).
In determining the contribution of tourism to the creation of employment, the type
and stage of the tourist destination needs to be considered. The number of jobs
available, their nature and who is employed will vary throughout the growth, decline
and rejuvenation of the tourist resort. Large international hotels and resorts,
generally, create more jobs than smaller local ones, pay higher wages and generate
more foreign exchange. However, they also tend to import more, have less linkages
with the local sector, and provide few entrepreneurial opportunities for the local
community (Harrison, 1992).
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