Entrance into Tourism Entrepreneurship: A UK Case Study

Abstract

The paper reports a study of entrance into tourism entrepreneurship in two areas of the UK. It focuses on the take-up of small businesses in tourism and examines issues of skill accumulation, capital acquisition, motives and impacts. The research supports findings from previous studies in terms of relative ease of entry to the industry and there is clear evidence of ‘way of life’ motives. In the context of human capital, the study shows limited reliance upon past experience. There is evidence of general contentment with the impacts on personal and working life but the findings indicate that a certain trade-off process takes place.