Women’s Empowerment in Rural Tourism as Key to Sustainable Communities’ Transformation

Aleksandra Vujko (), Darjan Karabašević (), Drago Cvijanović, Svetlana Vukotić, Vuk Mirčetić and Pavle Brzaković
Additional contact information
Aleksandra Vujko: Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Singidunum University, Danijelova No. 32, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Darjan Karabašević: College of Global Business, Korea University, Sejong 02841, Republic of Korea
Drago Cvijanović: Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism in Vrnjačka Banja, University of Kragujevac, Vojvođanska 5a, 36210 Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia
Svetlana Vukotić: Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance in Belgrade, University Business Academy in Novi Sad, Jevrejska 24, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Vuk Mirčetić: Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance in Belgrade, University Business Academy in Novi Sad, Jevrejska 24, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Pavle Brzaković: Faculty of Applied Management, Economics and Finance in Belgrade, University Business Academy in Novi Sad, Jevrejska 24, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-19

Abstract: The study focuses on the significance of empowering women, which plays a crucial role in the sustainable transformation of rural communities. It highlights the relevance of rural tourism as both an indicator of women’s livelihoods and a catalyst for meaningful change. Increasingly, women are forming associations that not only foster positive interactions among themselves but also extend their influence to other women within their communities. The research aimed to address two key questions: “What actions would you undertake in the realm of rural tourism?” and “What does the advancement of rural tourism mean for you on a personal level?” To analyze the data, factor analysis was employed to categorize the variables alongside structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings identified six distinct factors and demonstrated the interrelationship among these factors. The findings indicate that women willingly choose to participate in rural tourism, predominantly involving activities related to domestic food and beverages, tourism and hospitality, and the production and sale of souvenirs. This addresses the first inquiry. The responses to the second inquiry identified factors such as empowerment, independence, and development. This supports the initial hypothesis H, which posits that rural tourism acts as a measure of women’s empowerment, resulting in significant changes within the rural communities in which these women reside. The research outcomes are relevant to all rural regions in Serbia and its vicinity, where women’s roles are often marginalized and a transformation is essential.

Keywords: women’s empowerment; sustainability; rural tourism; community transformation; Serbia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:23:p:10412-:d:1531430

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