CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Cultural Diversity - An analysis of influence of ethnicity, gender and age on employment in the tourism / hospitality industry in China and in Australia

Cultural Diversity - An analysis of influence of ethnicity, gender and age on employment in the tourism / hospitality industry in China and in Australia

Introduction

In the case of China and Australia, a comparison of the influence of ethnicity, gender and age on employment in the tourism / hospitality industry is an analysis worthy topic since both countries boast a rapidly developing tourism / hospitality industry; proof of which can be found in the fact that both countries hosted the Olympics in the last decade. In order to analyse and shed light on the influence of ethnicity, gender and age on employment in the tourism / hospitality industry in China and in Australia; this discussion will compare literatures between two nations on ethnicity, gender and age, and employment in order to identify the differences and similarities. In order to do so adequately, the discussion will attempt to engage in an analysis that helps to discuss the most influential characteristic(s) in the respective countries.

Discussion & Analyses

Employment trend in the tourism / hospitality industry is a unique industry area since it tends to vary significantly across different countries. In essence, the degree to which the country relies on the tourism / hospitality industry has a major impact on the employment in that industry (Pearce, 2007). This factor not only influences the rate of development in the tourism / hospitality industry but also the employee turnover. A country that relies heavily on the tourism / hospitality industry to fuel the economy (such as France) can be expected to have a complete infrastructure that prepares individuals for the industry. Educational institutions in such countries offer courses and degrees in tourism / hospitality. In comparison, a country in which the economy does not (or is not in a stable enough position to) rely on the tourism / hospitality industry can be expected to be only optimally equipped for the functioning of the tourism / hospitality industry (Santos & Varejão, 2006). The education system will not provide training and development opportunities for individuals to train for the tourism / hospitality. As a result, the minimal attention given to the tourism / hospitality industry will lead to a scenario in which the tourism / hospitality industry will provide very selective opportunities with a promise for return on investment; thereby stunting the investment made in the tourism / hospitality industry and negatively influencing the subsequent talent that the industry manages to attract (Moore & Jie Wen, 2009).

Age

In China, the factor of age has a minimal influence on employment trends in the tourism / hospitality industry since individuals consider the employment industry to be a feasible business and / or employment option. As a result, young talent is frequently attracted to the tourism / hospitality industry and business ventures are often found to be run by young entrepreneurs (Chhetri, Corcoran & Hall, ...