Decent work in traditional tourism destinations: tourism Agenda 2030 perspective article
Additional information
Authors
Type
Journal Article
Year
2023
Language
English
Abstract
PURPOSE
Discussing tendencies and shortcomings in the current debate on promoting decent work in hospitality and tourism, this study aims to respond to recent calls for progress on improving employee well-being. It proposes elements of a productivity-based strategy embedded in a circular dynamic linking productivity, service quality, profitability and job quality to enhance tourism employees’ well-being in view of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8 on decent work.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH
Drawing on recent empirical work on gift exchange theory, this viewpoint article presents a possible scenario that should stimulate debate among scholars and local policymakers of how decent work and quality of life can be achieved in traditional tourism destinations. This would fill a gap in the current debate, which focuses on quantitatively marginal alternative forms of tourism, to overcome problems inherent to growth-based tourism.
FINDINGS
This contribution proposes a productivity-based development strategy supported by an incentive regulation policy targeting employers who provide tourist services in mass tourism destinations, promoting job quality to raise productivity and enhance service quality and in the end profitability.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE
This short article proposes a new perspective on promoting decent work in traditional tourism destinations based on gift exchange theory and discusses the scope for research essential to support a development based on the scenario described by a circular model.
Journal
Tourism Review
Volume
78
Number
2
Month
April
Start page number
332
End page number
338
Keywords
Tourism, Employees, Decent work, Well-being, Gift exchange theory, Sustainable development goals, SDGs
