GENDER AND RELIGION IN TOURISM EDUCATION: Experiences of Female Muslim University Students Studying Tourism in the West

• Published in: ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK ON GENDER IN TOURISM: Views on Teaching, Research and Praxis
• Main Author: Abidin H.Z.; Binti Ibnu I.N.
• Format: Book chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor and Francis 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85186818024&doi=10.4324%2f9781003286721-5&partnerID=40&md5=770ca14103da0949e11945a3d1ccc376

This book chapter explores the experiences of female Muslim students studying tourism in tertiary education in the West. While extensive research explores the discrimination and marginalisation of female Muslims in their everyday lives, there is limited study investigating how they experience and perceive their university experience in tourism education. This study contributes to the less researched area of gender, religion, and tourism education. A qualitative approach was adopted, and six female Muslims studying in Western countries were interviewed. The research findings indicate that Muslim women in tourism education, to a certain extent, have had an overall positive experience. Such experiences may be attributed to Islamic teachings and national culture that guides the behaviours and decision-making among female Muslim tourism students. Despite the positive experience, female Muslim students also experience some challenges, mainly due to the limited awareness of teaching staff towards their needs and the lack of representation in the teaching curriculum. This study has practical implications for tourism tertiary education institutions. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Magdalena Petronella (Nellie) Swart, Wenjie Cai, Elaine Chiao Ling Yang, and Albert Nsom Kimbu.