Resumo: The gender division in the labour market in rural areas has repercussions on rural tourism. Women participate to a lesser extent than men in the labour market and, when they do, they occupy a greater proportion of temporary or part-time jobs, oriented to the service sector. These characteristics are related to the discontinuity and flexibility of tourist demand, as well as the type of tasks required by the accommodation offer of rural tourism. Through a quantitative study of the owners of rural houses on La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain), it can be observed that women receive a significantly higher percentage of income from rural tourism than men. However, this revenue is not enough to ensure a full income that allows their economic autonomy through rural tourism. The results of this study support gender segregation in the rural labour market. The evidence obtained strengthens the fact that there is a significantly higher presence of women than men exercising rural tourism as their main occupation. Although rural tourism does not substantially alter the prevailing performance model, drawing from experiences acquired by women in the domestic sphere and without reporting a full income, this represents a certain level of progress in their degree of autonomy. These aspects should constitute the basis for public action that promotes the potential for rural tourism development with a higher degree of gender equity.
