This book provides a varied collection of recent research relating to small businesses in tourism. In doing so it reflects the eclecticism of interest and method associated with this under-researched and under-theorised area of investigation. Topics range from the potential contribution of small firms to achieving social or economic goals to understanding more about business performance and growth. As is common in tourism research, disciplinary boundaries are routinely transgressed in the interests of gaining greater illumination. Insights from a variety of countries are offered, sometimes as a result of trans-national collaboration initiated specifically for this book.

This book provides a varied collection of recent research relating to small businesses in tourism. In doing so it reflects the eclecticism of interest and method associated with this under-researched and under-theorised area of investigation. Topics range from the potential contribution of small firms to achieving social or economic goals to understanding more about business performance and growth. As is common in tourism research, disciplinary boundaries are routinely transgressed in the interests of gaining greater illumination. Insights from a variety of countries are offered, sometimes as a result of trans-national collaboration initiated specifically for this book. Shows the eclecticism of interest and method associated with this under-researched and under-theorised area.

• Explores both entrepreneurial theory and practice applied to the tourism and hospitality industry, by investigating some key theoretical concepts and grounding them in practical real life scenarios; • Moves back and forth between strategy and operations to illustrate the link between the two areas and explain how both perspectives are necessary for entrepreneurial success; • Creates an enthusiasm about the field by not only discussing some of the major challenges and opportunities but by providing the knowledge and skills required to start a small business and drastically improve the chances of sustaining it successfully.

The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Tourism presents a collection of readings that represent an essential and authoritative reference on the state-of-the-art of the interdisciplinary field of tourism studies. Presents a comprehensive and critical overview of tourism studies across the social sciences Introduces emerging topics and reassesses key themes in tourism studies in the light of recent developments Includes 50 newly commissioned essays by leading experts in the social sciences from around the world Contains cutting-edge perspectives on topics that include tourism’s role in globalization, sustainable tourism, and the state’s role in tourism development Sets an agenda for future tourism research and includes a wealth of bibliographic references

This unique text focuses on the application of global marketing principles specifically for small tourism businesses around the world and provides the building block for effective and practical marketing plans.

The family business is a global phenomenon, and is particularly prominent in tourism and hospitality. In many cases, the family business was developed for the purpose of facilitating personal and family goals. For example, in rural areas, farmers can use tourism as a way to generate additional income, thereby remaining in the area and retaining family property. Running a bed and breakfast establishment is a way to mix family and work. Lifestyle, locational and autonomy motives are the norm, but profit and growth-oriented entrepreneurs are also found within family businesses.This book is the first academic treatment of family business issues within the tourism and hospitality industry. It provides comprehensive assessment of ownership, management and family-related concerns across the entire business and family life cycle. Many new international case studies of real family businesses are used to illustrate key points. The book will be of significant interest to researchers and students in tourism and hospitality, small business and entrepreneurship studies, as well as to owners and potential investors in family businesses.

The development of tourism has historically been characterised by enterprising individuals. Small businesses are the backbone of the tourism and hospitality industry. However, entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial process have long been marginal topics within tourism scholarship. This is a critical, yet accessible, introduction to the subject. Structured into twelve chapters, this book takes an intuitive step-by-step progression through entrepreneurship in tourism: context, theoretical perspectives and definitions; the entrepreneurial process from concept to reality to growth, policy context and future directions. Featuring learning outcomes, ‘reflective practice’ activities and a range of international case studies that encourage critical thinking and practical applications, this is essential reading for anyone studying tourism degree programmes at undergraduate and graduate level.

Innovation is essential to remaining competitive in the tourism industry, especially for new enterprises. Community-based tourism is not only innovative but also a responsible tourism initiative that lessens the negative impacts of economic activity and increases the positive impacts of the sector. This type of tourism works with respect for the environment and generates innovations in products, services, and processes. Moreover, from a social innovation perspective, it explores businesses, initiatives, and ideas that can add value to tourism. Entrepreneurs looking to remain successful need to improve their knowledge of this valuable industry. Innovation and Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Community Tourism is a critical reference source that examines the latest empirical research findings in innovation in the community tourism network and its contribution to the development of the territory. The book also investigates the dynamic capacities related to small tourism entrepreneurs in the coastal space. Highlighting themes that include female entrepreneurship, marketing, and marine tourism, this book is ideal for entrepreneurs, small business owners, tourism and hospitality professionals, academicians, researchers, and students who are looking to improve their understanding of community tourism development.

Small businesses are the backbone of the tourism and hospitality industry and, depending on which statistics one uses, represent somewhere between 75 to 95 percent of all firms globally in this sector. The number of entrepreneurs has dramatically and uniformly increased globally over the last ten years. Divided into four sections, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in the Hospitality Industry takes an intuitive step-bystep progression through each stage of the entrepreneurial process: context, theoretical perspectives and definitions; Concept to reality; The business plan; Growth and the future. Ideal for students at any level, the chapters of this book invite you to ponder upon your reading through a series of ‘reflective practice’ activities. These, along with case studies, clearly defined chapter objectives, reflections, role-play activities and experiential exercises, allow you to both think actively about themes, concepts and issues and then apply them to a number of suggested scenarios. Perfect preparation for the up-and-coming entrepreneur!

The book represents a state of the art review of key research on small firms in tourism in relation to European integration. It is, therefore, an essential resource for those engaged in research relating to tourism SMEs in transitional economies throughout the world. In addition, it is an essential purchase for the increasing number of students studying modules on small businesses as part of their final year undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. One of the key features of this book is its clear focus on breaking new ground by reporting recent research and theorising on small firms in tourism. In many cases, the analysis provided by contributors will carefully relate small business behaviour to issues of wider concern to tourism academics and policy-makers. It is also distinctive for its overt emphasis on contrasting European experiences. These characteristics contrast with the existing literature on small firms in tourism and hospitality, particularly in Europe. Previous literature achieved their aims by providing valuable syntheses of existing literature. Now that such 'taking of stock' has been undertaken, there is a demand for more overtly research-based texts that are nevertheless accessible to a wide audience. This book does exactly that.