The effect of self-expression on the empowerment of Iranian women adventure travellers

ABSTRACT

The participation of women in adventure tourism in recent decades is remarkable, and this challenges gender stereotypes, traditional norms, and discrimination against women in some societies. Given their unique and attractive nature, leisure activities, including adventure tourism, can be considered to improve women’s living conditions and to empower them. This study examined the effect of self-expression on Iranian women’s empowerment in adventure trips. For the purpose of this study, 223 adventure tourists were selected as the sample and structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. The findings acknowledged that participation in leisure activities such as adventure tourism can lead to women’s self-expression, which directly affects their empowerment in various dimensions and can improve their social, economic, physical, and political status.

KEYWORDS:

• Empowerment
• self-Expression
• adventure tourism
• women
• Iranian

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marjan Saffari

Marjan Saffari, PhD in Sport Management, is an Assistant Professor at Tarbiat Modares University. Her published research focuses on leisure, tourism, and sport.

Kolsoum Heidari

Kolsoum Heidari is PhD student in Philosophy of Human Kinetics at University of Ottawa. Her research focuses on Leisure, tourism, and park visitors.