Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Can Jeopardise Economic Development of Tourism Destinations
There is a statement that lifestyle entrepreneurs can jeopardise economic development of tourism destinations. Just as Dewhurst and Horobin (1998: 33) state that lifestyle entrepreneurs ‘may not be capable of long-term survival: this in turn could serve to jeopardise seriously both the economic health and social fabric of those communities, resorts and regions which are becoming increasingly reliant upon tourism and hospitality related activities’ . As far as I am concerned, I totally do not agree with this opinion. Hence, in this essay, I will present that lifestyle entrepreneurs can play a critical role in the economic development of tourism destinations and provide the relevant concrete theories and examples to support my opinion.
Lifestyle entrepreneurs are classified as those ‘who are primarily motivated by the need to succeed at living in a certain quality of life by maintaining an income which allows them to survive’ (Deakins and Freel, 2006) and ensure that the business provides their family with a satisfactory level of funds to enable enjoyment of their chosen lifestyle (Rimmington et al, 1999: 13). The tourism and hospitality industries are dominated by small business and the vast majority of the entrepreneurs are lifestyles (Middleton, 2001). In a Cornwall study, one third of tourism entrepreneurs were lifestyle motivated (Shaw and Williams, 2004). Moreover, many researches clearly demonstrate that lifestyle factors are predominant motivators in the tourism and hospitality sectors (Andersson, Carlsen, & Getz, 2002; Ateljevic & Doorne, 2000; Getz & Carlsen, 2000; Shaw & Williams, 1998). Examples of such lifestyle entrepreneurs have been identified as adventure tour operators in New Zealand (Ateljevic and Doorne, 2000), surfers in Cornwall (Shaw and Williams, 2004), arts and crafts producers and retailers in Bornholm, Denmark and bed and breakfast (B&B)owners in Canmore, Canada (Getz and Peterson, 2005). In many cases, we can see that lifestyle
Lifestyle entrepreneurs are classified as those ‘who are primarily motivated by the need to succeed at living in a certain quality of life by maintaining an income which allows them to survive’ (Deakins and Freel, 2006) and ensure that the business provides their family with a satisfactory level of funds to enable enjoyment of their chosen lifestyle (Rimmington et al, 1999: 13). The tourism and hospitality industries are dominated by small business and the vast majority of the entrepreneurs are lifestyles (Middleton, 2001). In a Cornwall study, one third of tourism entrepreneurs were lifestyle motivated (Shaw and Williams, 2004). Moreover, many researches clearly demonstrate that lifestyle factors are predominant motivators in the tourism and hospitality sectors (Andersson, Carlsen, & Getz, 2002; Ateljevic & Doorne, 2000; Getz & Carlsen, 2000; Shaw & Williams, 1998). Examples of such lifestyle entrepreneurs have been identified as adventure tour operators in New Zealand (Ateljevic and Doorne, 2000), surfers in Cornwall (Shaw and Williams, 2004), arts and crafts producers and retailers in Bornholm, Denmark and bed and breakfast (B&B)owners in Canmore, Canada (Getz and Peterson, 2005). In many cases, we can see that lifestyle