Physical Appearance and the Role of Gender in Tourism: A Comparative Analysis of Male and Female Employees in the Context of Erotic Capital

This research examines how the concept of "erotic capital" - widely recognized in social sciences but often viewed negatively - is softened by adjectives like "presentability", "physical beauty", and "extroverted" within the labor-intensive tourism sector. It investigates how this concept commodifies both female and male employees and how businesses implement discriminatory policies based on it. Central focus is on how male and female employees perceive erotic capital, their similar or different experiences, and the benefits and harms they associate with it. The methodology consists of a qualitative, phenomenological approach to examine participants' perceptions of erotic capital deeply. Data collection involved semi-structured, in-depth interviews with open-ended questions aligned with research goals. Descriptive analysis was preferred for data. The findings demonstrate that erotic capital operates as a complex and ambivalent form of capital in the tourism sector, and its effects vary according to gender. Women are more frequently subjected to expectations of grooming and objectification, while men benefit from certain advantages yet face scrutiny based on their appearance.