Entrepreneurial Engagement of Women in Selected Tourism Areas in the Philippines

This study analyzed the entrepreneurial engagements of women in 2 selected tourism areas in the Philippines. Specifically, it examined the respondents’ profile and their business; assessed the women’s enterprises as to employment generation, promotion of sociocultural authenticity of host community, support to agricultural and coastal endowments of the area, and economic empowerment of women. The women’s engagement in tourism-related enterprises may be a manifestation of a sense of ownership, themselves being born and growing up in the locality. They expressed a sense of pride especially in receiving outsiders whom they regarded as visitors of their home community. They articulated that their livelihood helped promote their way of life, place, resources and products. Most women’s enterprises in Tigaon were highly dependent on tourism. Although the same may be said of Caramoan, the women there were more enterprising and possessed some level of business resilience as they had set up other enterprises to get by while tourists were not around. More entrepreneurs from Caramoan than Tigaon came across tourists from other regions and abroad. The women’s engagements were isolated from the mainstream of the tourism industry. Their businesses were struggling amidst strong and stable competition from big capitalists who owned the resorts, hotels and food businesses. Data revealed that the livelihood activities of women were still very small and minimal. Consequently, the enterprises had insignificant and negligible generation of employment. The gender-based issues faced by the respondents were those that relate to reproductive work such as tight household budget, home concerns, sickness in the family and too much work. Tourism development in both communities should give preferential option for small entrepreneurs. The women may organize themselves to enhance social capital.