How could it be better? seeking solutions to the precarization in the tourism workforce

Abstract

In the tourism industry, businesses have introduced part-time, temporary, and seasonal work arrangements to increase their short-term profits and save on human resources, which are the most significant cost factor. This has led to the formation of a precarious working class in tourism. The question of how to struggle with this emerging problem of precariousness remains unanswered. Strategies to fight against precarious work have become a central focus for academics working in labor and employment and labor organizations. This study aims to reveal the problem of precariousness in the tourism industry and its consequences and offer suggestions. Although there are many studies on the issue of precariousness, there is a noticeable lack of studies focusing on solving these problems in the tourism field. This study addresses this gap by presenting proposed solutions. In the study, a narrative literature review was conducted and a Google Scholar database was used. The concepts of “precarious work”, “precarious employment”, “precarious life”, “precarization”, and “precariousness” were searched and then the concepts of “tourism”, “hospitality”, and “service” were searched together. The study has two main results: (1) The forms of precarious work in the tourism industry and the consequences it creates, and (2) solution proposals to eliminate precarious and adverse working conditions. In this respect, the study aims to contribute to the literature and protect tourism workers' rights.