Tourism, employment and development

Abstract

This article looks at the factors determining the quality of tourism employment, through the case study of Maspalomas (Canary Islands). The study shows that labour conditions in tourism depends upon: 1) the position of a touristic destination in the international network of enterprises that manufacture touristic services; 2) the stability of touristic demand; 3) the institutional factors; 4) the extent in which tourism is self-sustained. Furthermore, the study suggests that employment should not be the only factor considered when evaluating the «goodliness» of a model of touristic development. The distribution of tourism benefits through enterprises profits should also be taken into account.