Small Tourism Businesses Research Articles

Application of the Technology Acceptance Model and the Technology–Organisation–Environment Model to examine social media marketing use in the South African tourism industry

Background: In tourism, globally there is a growing interest in social media marketing research. However, most previous research on social media marketing has focused on large tourism enterprises such as chain hotels, leaving out small tourism businesses such as travel agencies and tour operators. Objective: The aim of this research was to establish factors that influence attitude towards the use of social media marketing by travel agencies and tour operators in South Africa. Method: The study adopteda quantitative approach through the use of questionnaires. Data used in the analysis were collected from 150 travel agencies and tour operators by means of a structured questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis and one-way ANOVA were used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that managerial support and managers’ level of education are the two main internal factors which influence attitude towards the use of social media marketing. Pressure from competitors, perceived benefits and perceived ease of use were found to be the most prominent external factors which influence the use of social media marketing. The results also revealed that technical knowledge moderates the relationship between attitude towards social media marketing and the level of social media marketing usage. Conclusion: The study concludes with these recommendations: Management of travel agencies, tour operating businesses and the South African government should support the use of social media marketing by small tourism businesses through providing training and workshops on social media marketing for the employees to acquire the required skills.

Entrepreneurial Motivation and Destination Evolution

ABSTRACTThis study aims to understand the small tourism business owner’s entrepreneurial motivation in different stages of destination development. Using a qualitative approach, 46 entrepreneurs who owned guesthouses in the Old Town of Lijiang, China, were interviewed. The findings suggest that business orientation was dominant in the predevelopment stage and that the livelihood motivation was a main cause of business orientation, whereas lifestyle orientation was obvious in the early development stage and most of the lifestyle-oriented owners had been tourists who enjoyed the place. However, the percentage of business orientation increased when the tourism area entered into a rapid growth stage, as more entrepreneurial investments were established. Therefore, this study identifies a pattern of small tourism business owners’ entrepreneurial motivation in different stages of destination development. An interactive view that connects tourism entrepreneurship and destination evolution is applied.

Role of Government and Private Organizations in the Development of Micro Tourism Businesses in Peripheral Rural Areas in Nigeria

Micro and small tourism businesses are important component of tourism destinations. Their development is an effective way of empowering and revitalizing local communities in developing countries. Government and private agencies plays significant roles in stimulating their growth. In recognition of this, this study investigates the role of government and private agencies in supporting the development of micro tourism businesses in the local communities of Obudu mountain resort using a qualitative case study research strategy. The interviews with fourteen (14) proprietors of existing micro tourism businesses and ten (10) management staff of selected government and private organizations reveals that much has not been done to provide the needed support. The owners of tourism businesses lamented that they haven’t enjoyed any government support in terms of easing their start-up through funding. They also express their displeasure with the unfavourable conditions attached to granting loans by micro finance banks, and considers it as anti-poor. We concluded this paper by stressing the need to review existing policies to the ones that guarantee easy accessibility of funds to tourism entrepreneurs in rural areas as a necessity to strengthen pro-poor tourism initiatives.

Opportunity recognition for small businesses in medical tourism in Taiwan

Medical tourism has become an investment focus for many Asian countries. For example, India, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, and Malaysia have governmental projects to foster this emerging industry, and successfully attract millions of medical tourists each year. Medical tourism consists of diverse industries that can provide abundant opportunities of new businesses. Currently Taiwan is trying to catch up in this trend by making national development policies, setting up institutions, modifying laws and regulations, and encouraging investment of private sector. The purpose of this study is to analyze the status quo of international medical tourism in Taiwan, and identify several opportunities for small businesses to catch and to participate in forming a solid medical tourism industry for Taiwan.

Methods for innovative enterprise management tourism industry as an important composition of economic growth

Тhe peculiarities of tourism enterprises in Ukraine, stressed the importance of state support of small tourism businesses, and also the feasibility of using innovative management business tourism industry are considered in the article.

Rural tourism as a promising trend of small business in Georgia: Topicality, capabilities, peculiarities

Abstract The article analyses prospects for the development of small tourism business in Georgia, in particular in rural settlements – so-called “rural tourism” (agritourism, farming tourism) which is a fast emerging sector of small entrepreneurship. Capabilities and conditions for the development of rural tourism are examined for different regions of Georgia. As it is noted, there are distinguishing characteristics in each region (natural environment, economic level, traditions of economic management, rules for family farm arrangement, rituals and customs, etc.) which differ regions from each other. Careful consideration is given to the objects which are of interest for agritourists in rural settlements in Georgian regions: Kakheti, mountainous area of Georgia (Svaneti, Racha-Lechkhumi, Mtskheta-Mtianeti), Achara, Guria, Samegrelo, Imereti, Shida and Kvemo Kartli, as well as to the issues of readiness for their acceptance. It is emphasized in the article that the development of rural tourism in the country will promote economic growth in the regions, ensure employment of local people, improve their well-being, and, what is most crucially for mountainous regions, solve pressing demographic problem (depopulation of villages, ageing of population, young people's migration to urban areas, etc.).

The Roles of Formal and Informal Institutions in Small Tourism Business Development in Rural Areas of South China

Taking a livelihood perspective to study tourism has become popular in recent years, but as an essential part of livelihood analysis, institutional processes have not yet received enough attention. This study focuses on the influences of formal and informal institutions on small tourism businesses in rural areas. A case study was conducted in Hong Kong, and the entitlements framework was adopted as an analytical tool. Based on qualitative data generated from field study, this paper describes how different groups of residents rely on institutions at multiple levels to gain assets and make legitimate effective use of them through operating small tourism businesses. Results indicate that the interaction between formal and informal institutions is mediated by a variety of organisations, particularly implementation authorities at the frontline, and determines residents’ access to assets and the tourism market and subsequently, affects their start-up and operation of small tourism businesses. Informal institutions play a vital role in creating a favourable situation for local residents. However, this role may not satisfy small business owners who are non-local residents.

Antecedents and consequences of managerial behavior in agritourism

Drawing from contingency theory and the concept of entrepreneurship, this study investigates the viability of small-scale agritourism business. Specifically, this paper identifies the antecedents (i.e., external environment and internal conditions) and consequences (i.e., financial and non-financial benefits) of managerial behaviors (i.e., innovation, pro-activeness, and aggressiveness) that exist when operating an agritourism business. Based on responses from the USDA census of agriculture, the results of this research reveal the heterogeneous effects of antecedents that contribute positively and negatively to managerial behavior. The varied influences of managerial behavior on different types of business performance are identified. Also, theoretical implications of the development of agritourism studies as well as managerial implications for owners, consultants, and policymakers related to the small tourism business in rural areas are provided.

Entrepreneurial design of quality initiatives in small tourism business

Entrepreneurial design of quality initiatives in small tourism business

“You know that's a rip-off”: policies and practices surrounding micro-enterprises and poverty alleviation in South African township tourism

ABSTRACTSupporting the development of small tourism businesses has been seen by policy-makers as a valuable means of alleviating poverty in South African townships. This perspective has been endorsed by several “responsible” tourism businesses and academics. Following a literature review, this paper reports the findings of an empirical study that examined the practices of 80 micro-business owners and the factors that shape their behaviour in two South African townships. In spite of significant visitor numbers, it finds that their narrow social networks, the imbalances of power between them and intermediaries such as travel agencies and tour operators, ideas of Ubuntu and Umona, and complex family and ethnic ties all represent barriers that prevent them from developing their businesses and sharing in the material gains available through tourism. This analysis has important implications for local policy-makers and those advocating responsible tourism. For the former, it suggests a cessation of current initiatives in favour of greater regulation and alternative forms of investment. For the latter, it implies a need to reassess the utility of advocating responsible tourism to consumers in a context where they do not understand the dynamics which fashion what is on offer or the implications of their choices.

The Relationship Between Paternalistic Leadership and Business Performance in Small Tourism Businesses: The Moderating Role of Affective Organizational Commitment

The economic value of small businesses, their role in the global markets and the advantages of being a small business in competition are subjects that are great interest of both practitioners and researches; and do not lose effect and importance. The performances of small business, which are managed directly by their owners, seem to be related to the success level of owner-managers. This study proposes a model that researches the relationships among the paternalistic leadership behaviors of the owner-manager of small tourism businesses (STB), the affective commitment of the employees to the organization, and business performance. Within the context of this research; data will be collected from the employees of the STB's rustling in Fethiye (Mugla, Turkey), where is an international tourism destianation; through a structured questionnaire. The frequency analysis on demographics and vocational features of the respondents and descriptive statistics will be completed through SPSS 21. In order to understand whether demographic and vocational features of the respondents effect T-Test and variance analysis will be used. Through testing the research model via structural equation model, this research attempts to reveal not only the direct effects of paternalism on affective organizational commitment and performance; but also the mediator effect of affective organizational commitment on paternalism's effect on performance. This research is expected to add in theoretically to the tourism literature in the concept of tourism development regions; through its approach on economics, entrepreneurship, small businesses, locality and management theories. In addition, it will provide the policy makers, planners, entrepreneurs and local authorities with important clues to be used in settling and managing future development strategies of destinations.

Putting social impact assessment to the test as a method for implementing responsible tourism practice

The discourse on the social impacts of tourism needs to shift from the current descriptive critique of tourism to considering what can be done in actual practice to embed the management of tourism's social impacts into the existing planning, product development and operational processes of tourism businesses. A pragmatic approach for designing research methodologies, social management systems and initial actions, which is shaped by the real world operational constraints and existing systems used in the tourism industry, is needed. Our pilot study with a small Bulgarian travel company put social impact assessment (SIA) to the test to see if it could provide this desired approach and assist in implementing responsible tourism development practice, especially in small tourism businesses. Our findings showed that our adapted SIA method has value as a practical method for embedding a responsible tourism approach. While there were some challenges, SIA proved to be effective in assisting the staff of our test case tourism business to better understand their social impacts on their local communities and to identify actions to take.

Is small beautiful? Understanding the contribution of small businesses in township tourism to economic development

The increased importance attached by policy-makers to the anticipated developmental effects of tourism in developing countries has been insufficiently examined by academic researchers, particularly in the context of the contribution of small firms in urban areas. This deficiency is addressed by providing a review of existing research followed by an analysis of interviews with 90 tourism business located within and outside the townships of Langa and Imizamo Yethu, Cape Town, South Africa. The findings reveal tensions between the different actors involved in township tourism. While the involvement of small, locally owned, businesses is beneficial, it is limited by conflicts of interest, lack of trust, limited social networks and little attachment to the township locality. The discussion highlights the complexity of tourism's role in economic development, which has significant implications for local policy-makers.

Factors Influencing Small Tourism Business Performance: The Case of Central Kentucky, United States

The purpose of this research was to provide additional insight into small tourism businesses in the United States by empirically examining the relationships among business owner/managers’ personal values, marketing strategies, and perceived business performance. Data for the research were collected in the Bluegrass Region of Central Kentucky, United States. Face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire were conducted with the owner/managers of small tourism businesses, such as art galleries or studios, restaurants, historic attractions, museums, perform/visual art centers, unique gift/souvenir shops, and small accommodation facilities. Results showed that personal values of small business owner/managers could influence their selection of marketing strategies. Further, a market-oriented strategy was significantly related to perceived performance of small tourism business on product success and intangible assets (i.e., customer satisfaction and business reputation). The research provides theoretical implications for future academic inquiries, practical implications and business implications for potential investors in small tourism businesses in the United States.

Development of small businesses in tourism in the Lake Skadar National Park

The subject of paper is a study of the possibilities for the development of small businesses and enterprise in the region of the Lake Skadar National Park, with an emphasis on a marketable tourism product. In a time of transition such as this, progress in the economy and therefore in tourism is highly dependent on the creation of a range of tourism products that are attractive both to the major consumer segments and to the niche market. Their successful promotion is intended to secure economic growth and a higher standard of living for the local population. The basic methodological approach has been secondary research, based on existing bibliographical sources. Primary research has included field visits, surveys of the local population, interviews with relevant representatives of small businesses and of the National Park and analysis of the results collected. The findings point to a need for change in the economic structure in favour of the development of small business and enterprise and for their networking with the objective of creating competitive products, facilitating employment and securing access to the market. In order to breathe life into this as yet underdeveloped region, potential sources of financing need to be secured and greater initiative on the part of the national and local government is needed. The cluster model is also considered herein as a way of halting economic and social decline in the local population, especially in terms of connecting the more developed southern region with the undeveloped north. Since the discussion concerns business development in an area that is under a special protection regime - which requires continual monitoring of carrying capacities - a priority in future development must be the sustainability of the natural and economic system in this region.

Business Environment and Survival of the Tourism Inductry

This study is to determine the impact of environment on business performance with the specific objectives of determining the effects of socio-cultural, political and economic environment on business performance. A sample of 57 respondents was selected from some small tourism businesses in Awka. The ChiSquare test of independence and descriptive statistics were use to analyze the responses. It was observed that political and economic environment have significant impact on business performance while the socio-cultural environment does not have a significant relationship. it is therefore recommended that the government should help entrepreneurs to start new tourism business and protect them to continue the business, the government can stimulate private business development and employment growth by fostering an enabling economic environment Keyword: business environment, tourism, small business, political environment, socio-economic environment

E-Commerce and Small Tourism Businesses in Developing Countries: Drivers versus Boundaries of Adoption

The uptake and adoption of e-commerce by small and medium-sized enterprises is still relatively low and slow. Whilst travel agents are typically classified as small and medium tourism enterprises, there has been a persistent threat of disintermediation in the global travel and tourism market particularly in developing countries. Approximately 59% of travel agents in Egypt were found to be operating without even a website. This study aims to identify the drivers motivating travel agents to adopt e-commerce and to discover the boundaries inhibiting agents in adopting technology. Drivers and boundaries perceived by adopters of high level e-commerce are examined. A stratified sample of category A travel agents in Egypt has been surveyed and results show that drivers strongly influencing adoption decision are suppliers' pressures and competitors' pressures. Aspects of boundaries factors found include resources limitations, internal and external business environments, and adopted-technology attributes are affecting the adoption of e-commerce amongst travel agents.

Regional Environment of Destination and the Entrepreneurship of Small Tourism Businesses: A Case Study of Dali and Lijiang of Yunnan Province

Small tourism businesses play vital roles in tourism destinations. However, an understanding of the extent to which the destination where the business is located influences decisions made by tourism entrepreneurs has not received the attention it deserves. Based on 173 questionnaires and 50 interviews in Dali and Lijiang, and using factor analysis, the author explores the effect of regional environmental factors on the entrepreneurship of small tourism firms. Seven factors were derived with a cumulative variance of 66.8% explained. Tourism attractiveness, including the natural and human environment as well as regional economics, drives the macro-location of small tourism firms and is the most important influence factor, followed by information and communication factors. The market potential and accessibility, which are keys to success, are also important factors that entrepreneurs considered. The family background provides support for entrepreneurs. Also, emotional supports among entrepreneurs with shared values, hobbies, and experience are crucial for lifestyle entrepreneurs to start a venture. However, the influence of financial environment, government policy, and labor conditions are not perceived to be significant to the entrepreneurs.

Business performance of small tourism enterprises: a comparison among three sub-sectors of the industry

Although numerous studies have evaluated the performance of small tourism businesses (STBs), most of them have neglected to take into account the unique characteristics of various sectors within the industry and limited the study within a specific type of location. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the knowledge pool on STBs through an analysis of differences in performance among three sub-sectors of the industry in an urban setting. The study attempts to understand the unique characteristics of each of these types of STBs and differences in their operation patterns by comparing their performance. The findings revealed that food and beverage ventures and tourist attraction ventures performed better than accommodation businesses on a considerable part of the variables while food and beverage ventures had the highest mean scores. The study indicates the significance of dividing the industry into sub-sectors for evaluating the business performance.

Small business management and environmental engagement

Small firms in tourism are characterised by informal approaches to management, allowing their owners to meet a variety of often overlapping business and personal goals. Environmental certification schemes generally require members to subscribe to formal environmental management systems (EMS), even when aimed at small business operators. This paper examines in detail the managerial approaches of a small group of owner-managers who are operating within the approximately 3000-member Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) available in the UK and Ireland. The findings suggest that the type of environmental practices adopted most willingly reflect the formality of management within the business and the owner-managers’ various backgrounds, values, reasons to be in business, expectations from acting and their understanding of the “environment”. It finds that the “Plan-Do-Check-Review” approach of most EMS does not easily relate to the complex motivations and needs of the world of small business. The paper concludes that environmental engagement is more likely to be fostered if owner-managers’ managerial approaches and assumptions are better understood and that shared visions for environmental engagement are encouraged through informed dialogue. Both economic benefits and the fostering of “feel good” factors should be stressed if small tourism businesses are to adopt EMS programmes.