Cancun hotel Chambermaids and their perceptions of their own working conditions: A cultural perspective of gender in tourism

Abstract

This study addresses the perceptions of chambermaids in Cancun, Mexico, of their own working conditions, from the cultural perspective of gender. To approach this subject, 10 women who work or have worked in the hotel area of this famous tourist destination were interviewed. The data were processed with Atlas.ti qualitative software. The results show that the willingness of these women to withstand harsh working conditions for many exhausting hours, and their tendency to perceive them as acceptable, is a function of their limited formal education, low socioeconomic level, and migratory status, all of which make it difficult for them to compete in the job market. Although these women receive low wages in the hospitality sector, they see the prospect of tips as an incentive.