The Attributes of Successful Tourism-related Entrepreneurs: a Case from South Africa
The Attributes of Successful Tourism-related Entrepreneurs: a Case from South Africa

Summary/Abstract: Previous studies have recognized entrepreneurs as a significant part of the global pursuit for sustaining economic development and social progress in the world. This study therefore explores the entrepreneurial attributes that have significant impact in differentiating between successful and struggling tourism entrepreneurs in South Africa, using Mtubatuba Local Municipality as a case. A structured questionnaire survey was used to collect data. Convenience sampling was employed in selecting 124 tourism-related entrepreneurs in different regions of Mtubatuba Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The results indicate that the entrepreneurial attributes that somewhat differentiate successful entrepreneurs from struggling entrepreneurs are: business drive and enthusiasm, being efficient and effective, and being visionary and having achievement motivation. This study also validates that socio-demographic variables in this study area, tend to be more useful in explaining the reasons for success or struggle among entrepreneurs than behavioural variables. This study recommends that Mtubatuba Local Municipality needs to organize targeted Tourism Development and Tourism Business Management education for the willing population of Mtubatuba Local Municipality, in collaboration with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal. By so doing, equal opportunity can be granted to anyone who wants to start-up and manage a new tourism business.

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