Promoting Inclusivity in Boracay’s Informal Tourism Sector

Despite the valuable presence of women in informal economies, there is still limited knowledge of the gender dynamics of the informal sector and its workers. Using a gender lens, this Policy Note investigates women informal workers’ experiences in Boracay’s tourism industry. It finds that competition with other industry players, seasonality of demand for tourism activities, limited tourist interactions due to designated locations by the government, and sexual harassment and prejudice often confront women’s economic operations in the island. To transition into the formal economy, the need to strengthen gendered data on informal tourism workers, develop training and capacity-building programs, and conduct gender sensitivity workshops for policymakers, policy implementers, and informal workers alike are emphasized.