'Tourism, water, and gender' An international review ofan unexplored nexus

Abstract

[eng] This international literature review of the tourism-water nexus identifies agender gap. Tourism development can affect water supply both quantitativelyand qualitatively. Many regions will face considerable problems of water avail-ability and quality, affecting their tourism sector and increasing competitionwith local residents, and other industries especially agriculture. This interna-tional review of literature explores the tourism-water nexus, comparing andcontrasting literature published in English, Chinese, and Spanish. Securingaccess to safe water for continued tourism development is a common themeand the vast majority of work has focused on hotels including water pricing,water-saving practices and innovative management methods. In all continents,struggles are apparent, and the unsustainability of tourism is having impactson water quantity and quality. This article identifies significant gaps in the literature including climate change, the energy-water nexus, and the links withthe Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, studies from a genderedperspective are minimal and the potential for areas of further gendered studieswithin the tourism-water nexus are highlighted including intersectionality,water insecurity and sanitation, tourism and gender based violence, and additional unpaid care work.