Decent work in the South African tourism industry: evidence from tourist guides

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Periodical article

Title:	Decent work in the South African tourism industry: evidence from tourist guides
Authors:	De Beer, Andries Rogerson, Christian M. Rogerson, Jayne M.
Year:	2014
Periodical:	Urban Forum (ISSN 1874-6330)
Volume:	25
Issue:	1
Pages:	89-103
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	tourism working conditions
Abstract:	Within tourism scholarship in general and in African tourism in particular, there is little research relating to employment conditions in the tourism industry. In South Africa, this knowledge gap is remarkable in light of the vital role of tourism in national government strategies for employment creation and of the emphasis given to promoting 'decent work'. This article uses a mixed methods approach to examine work conditions of South African tourist guides. The findings reveal the majority of tourist guides are in precarious or vulnerable forms of temporary short-term work, much of which is outside of existing labour regulations. The largest share of tourist guides are white males with limited careers spent in tour guiding. Many guides are retired or semi-retired from other professions and often engaged in the activity for lifestyle rather than economic motivations. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]