Coping with precarity in the tourism performing arts industry: a case study of China's Wa entertainers. Issue 8 (23rd May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Xihao; Round, John; Bao, Jigang
• Is Part Of: Journal of sustainable tourism. Volume 30:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 1937
• Page End: 1955
• Publication Date: 2022-05-23
• Subjects: Precarity -- tactics -- creative work -- tourism labour migrant -- tourism performing arts -- China; Tourism -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 338.479105
• DOI: 10.1080/09669582.2021.1965152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-9582

Abstract

Abstract: This article examines the precarious work experiences and coping tactics of entertainers in China's tourism performing arts (TPAs), who are also tourism labour migrants (TLMs). Focusing on a particular ethnic group, Wa entertainers (WEs), this article aims to highlight how TLMs sustain their careers and fight for decent work. Qualitive methods were applied to investigate entertainers in a neglected sector of the tourism industry. The findings show that entertainers face two main aspects of precarity: labour relations and job attributes. Inspired by the precarious TPA work, WEs develop micro-tactics to resist, namely, they have suitable geographical mobility choices and actively participate in skilling and learning. Thus, WEs become more capacitated to switch smoothly between different jobs to sustain a broader career in tourism-oriented sectors. This article offers critical insights into the capability development of tourism practitioners. It reflects on a vernacular, grassroots redefinition of sustainability with respect to decent work, in which a stable or predictable career pathway may not be the ultimate purpose for grassroots TLMs.