Gender's role in shaping participation and career opportunities in the tourism industry: A systematic literature review

This study examines how gender influences participation and career opportunities in the tourism industry through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). Despite growing research on gender disparities in tourism, existing studies remain fragmented, lacking a synthesis that connects theoretical perspectives with empirical findings. This study addresses this gap by identifying key research trends, challenges, and directions for future research. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies were retrieved from Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus, ensuring coverage of high-quality, peer-reviewed publications. A total of 21 articles (2015–2024) were selected using Rayyan software to ensure systematic screening and unbiased selection. VOSviewer was used for bibliometric mapping, while thematic analysis was used to identify core themes in gender and tourism research. Findings reveal that gender disparities persist across tourism sub-sectors, with women concentrated in frontline service roles while leadership opportunities remain structurally limited. Six key themes emerged: leadership barriers, work-life balance constraints, sociocultural norms, gender pay gap, limited career development, and ineffective diversity policies. The study also identified a critical gap in intersectionality, as existing research has largely overlooked how race, class, and migration status interact with gender disparities. This study integrates Gender Role Socialization Theory, Structural Inequality Theory, and Diversity and Inclusion Theory to provide a multi-level framework for analyzing systemic barriers to women's career advancement in tourism. By bridging bibliometric and thematic analyses, it offers new theoretical and practical insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders, highlighting the need for structured mentorship programs, transparent promotion pathways, and stronger workplace policies to foster gender equity in tourism employment.