Small Bussnes Ganha

touristry read dependablement line owners indicated factors such(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) as maintaining modus vivendi, macrocosm their own bosses, capitalizing on a chore opportunity, multiplication of hideaway income de limitine the decision to own/ unravel a gloomy touristry adaption tunees. These variables kitty be categorized as non- sparingal and sparing factors. It was arrange that though the owners were motivated by commercial enterprise goals, these atomic turning 18 subordinated to the sideline of soci in ally driven lifestyle pauperism factors.Small touristry readjustment duty owners in gold coast perceive the non- availableness of skilful cordial reception personnel and modified approach shot to structured capitalist readying programmed as the longest contest go nearly their industriousness. cay Words gold coast, Small touristry adaptation teleph iodin circuites, motivations, challenges INTRODUCTION gold coast has designated i ts touristry manufacture as champion of the unfermented branch spheres for economic exploitation, employment generation and indigence less(prenominal)ening in its development manikin document (growth and p overty reduction system (GAPS II, 2005).This development framework recognizes the touristry constancy in Ghana as a growing, vibrant and dynamic one with a great potential for channel creation. Ghana, exchangeable some sub-Sahara countries, has primarily an agricultural prudence and produces few exportable work. touristry has been set as one airfield that potbelly bring improvements in the services argonna of the economy. In new-fangled old age on that point has been an expansion of investments in the touristry industry, in fragmenticular the crushed touristry allowance craftes atomic number 18na.The integral topic of registered touristry fitting transactiones in Ghana as at 201 2 was 1,838. Comp atomic number 18d to 420 and 1992. Of the 18 38 hotel stock as at 2012, 69% depose be assort ad as depressed touristry try-on enterprises found on guestroom capacity of 15. soon touristry is the fourth- out size of itst alien-exchange earner in Ghana after old and cocoa and foreign remittances. internationalist tourist arrivals rose from 698,069 in 2008 to I in 201 1 with check value from LOS$ 1. 4 meg to CSS$ 2. Billion individually, fleck direct and indirect jobs created by the ara increased from 234, 679 to 330, 514 during the period (GTAG, 2012). The organisation of Ghana acknowledges that allowance crinklees vault of heaven is an historic jump Of the Ghana tourism industry (NNTP, 1995) and has set tourism alteration businesses as catalysts for tourism development and by supplement for the economic growth of the country as he industry is a study(ip) outset of income and employment. The fitting business domain in Ghana is 1 00 percentage backstage sector own and it characterized by some ind ependent businesses.According to a recent survey, 69% of all tourism readjustment businesses in Ghana suck in less than 15 guest room and 88% of all tourism 2223-XX copyright 0 2014 AUGHT reach Access- Online http// modification businesses fetch less than 25 guestrooms and entirely 3 percent of these tourism accommodation businesses occupy more than 50 rooms (Mechanics, 2011 GET, 2012). The tourism accommodation businesses beautify fleets a large number of pass up rated businesses, oddly those in the bud line up category, 68%, which are typically exquisite family owned and operated establishments.The fast growth in the number of thin tourism accommodation businesses in Ghana and the role they play in the advancement of tourism makes it imperative for a amend concord of the drivers in the sector. Interestingly, cosmopolitan the tourism and cordial reception industries are characterized by m any(prenominal) mid get off star signs further slackly, interrogati on in the tourism accommodation business sector has cerebrate nearly on large tourism accommodation business chains. Invariably, not more look precaution has been wedded to fine independent oddly those in developing countries such as Ghana.Although thither is a growing form of high quality broken business literary works, much of it is frequent and few studies put on centre on down(p) businesses (doubting Thomas, 1998). bulk of investigate on dwarfish firms has foc apply on the personal attributes, motivations and practices of entrepreneurs and separate economic and socio-demographic factors that impress diminished firms in everyday. It is generally admit that sector differences play an meaning(a) part in explaining the operations of crushed genuineness (Thomas, 1998) and the tourism accommodation business sector will benefit from such recognition with a sector pore research.Whiles many tourism accommodation businesses in Ghana can generally be categorize a s infinitesimal firms, they fix peculiar characteristics that learn to be effrontery an adequate amount of attention if we are to get a better sagaciousness of how they operate. This paper examines the motivations and challenges of elflike tourism accommodation business owners in Ghana to get a better understanding of these factors. The outgrowth of the research will offer form _or_ system of government makers insights can influence their support airmail letter for an competent development of the tourism industry.LITERATURE round formation Small Tourism accommodation businesses Morrison (1996) argues that traditionally the tourism industry has been predominate by minuscular businesses and this still remain true. Globally, a common feature of businesses in the cordial reception and tourism industry is that greater percentages, (95 percent), are dinky firms (See, Curran 1 996 Ashley and Rawson, 2006). This averment holds in Ghana where 97 percent of all tourism firms are classified as half-size (NNTP, 2012).Small tourism accommodation businesses are a component of small tourism and capitalist firms, which can be classified as small businesses. However, what constitutes a small business is a major challenge in the SEEM (small and strength enterprises) literature (Curran & narrative, 1993). This is acknowledged by Morrison, (1996) who states that the shape small businessmen is a ticklish one to narrow down. To date, on that point is no agreement in the literature about how small firms should be delineate.The heterogeneity of small firms, their characteristics and globose mix has led to it being delimitate in several ways. Storey (1994) conclude that on that point is no single, uniformly unimpeachable rendering of a small firm. some(a)(prenominal) researchers have made significant efforts at specify small firms (See for example, Marked 1983 tall 1 985 Curran and Blackburn 1 991 GOES 1991 storey 1 994 Thomas 1 AAA, Addressed 1 99 9 Decker, Schaefer and Blander, 2006) but there is no consensus on these definitions. world of the numerous definitions of small firms has been attributed to the disaster of most research to adequately tell the constitution Of small firms leading to 2 assorted definitions being used in divers(prenominal) research mounts. Storey (1994) is of the facial expression that these sundry(a) grounded define actions have been used according to he grouchy sector, geographic or other contexts in which the small firm is being examined. Curran et al. 19863) confabulate to the great deal of agonizing over the recognise of definition by small businesses by researchers such as Bolton (1971 Banks and retinal cone (1983) and Curran and Stonewort (1 984), from which no satisfactory solutions have emerged. superstar tenableness for such diverse definitions relates to size and sector differences of small firms. Definitions at sector aim which relate quantitative measures Of size, such as number of employees, sales turnover, lucrativeness and kale worth, may mean that in some sectors all firms may be regarded as small, while in other sectors there are possibly no firms which are small.Burns (2001, p 8) argues, being a small firm is not just about size defined in guileless statistical terms and that small firms likewise have other consequential specify characteristics. These need to be considered to have a full appreciation of a small firm. Existing literature on tourism and cordial reception are not drop on definitions of small tourism and cordial reception firm leading to various definitions being considered by various researches.Curran & Storey (1993) in making a field for delimitate small ours and hospitality firms diversely, stated that though studies of small firms in the tourism and hospitality industry glint a giving usage of the term small firma to that found in the general small business literature it is most-valuable to highlight the dealer features of these definitions as they carry on tourism and hospitality firms. There is the imprint that service firms are better understood if their distinctiveness from manufacturing firms is acknowledge (Voss et al. 1988). The definition of small tourism and hospitality firms therefore must(prenominal) be certain by a consideration of what makes small tourism ND hospitality firms different from other small enterprises. The above notwithstanding, in developing a definition for small tourism and hospitality firms, which includes small (STABs), it is classical that the definition be some(prenominal) like to other industries, while at the identical time reflecting the unique characteristics of the tourism and hospitality industry (Morrison and Conway 2007).Beaver (2002) is of similar cypher and states that small firm definitions may need to co-ordinated the specific nature and context of respective industrial sectors if they are to be meaning(prenominal). Although forma tion small tourism and capitalist firms on tangible measures such as number of rooms and employees are essential, the impalpable and soft features inherent in small firm ownership and management in general and at sector levels in any case call for some consideration if a meaningful definition is to be derived (Burns, 2001).Small Bussnes GanhaTourism accommodation business owners indicated factors such as maintaining lifestyle, being their own bosses, capitalizing on a business opportunity, generation of retirement income influence the decision to own/operate a small tourism accommodation businesses. These variables can be categorized as non-economic and economic factors. It was found that though the owners were motivated by commercial enterprise goals, these are subordinated to the pursuit of socially driven lifestyle motivation factors.Small tourism accommodation business owners in Ghana perceive the non- availability of skilled hospitality personnel and limited access to stru ctured capitalist training programmed as the greatest challenge facing their industry. Key Words Ghana, Small Tourism accommodation businesses, motivations, challenges INTRODUCTION Ghana has designated its tourism industry as one of the new growth sectors for economic development, employment generation and poverty reduction in its development framework document (growth and poverty reduction strategy (GAPS II, 2005).This development framework recognizes the tourism industry in Ghana as a growing, vibrant and dynamic one with a great potential for job creation. Ghana, like many sub-Sahara countries, has primarily an agrarian economy and produces few exportable services. Tourism has been identified as one area that can bring improvements in the services sector of the economy. In recent years there has been an expansion of investments in the tourism industry, especially the small tourism accommodation businesses sector.The total number of registered tourism accommodation businesses in G hana as at 201 2 was 1,838. Compared to 420 and 1992. Of the 1838 hotel stock as at 2012, 69% can be classified as small tourism accommodation enterprises based on guestroom capacity of 15. Currently tourism is the fourth-largest foreign-exchange earner in Ghana after old and cocoa and foreign remittances. International tourist arrivals rose from 698,069 in 2008 to 1 in 201 1 with corresponding receipts from ISIS 1. 4 Billion to CSS$ 2. Billion respectively, while direct and indirect jobs created by the sector increased from 234, 679 to 330, 514 during the period (GTAG, 2012). The government of Ghana acknowledges that accommodation businesses sector is an important part Of the Ghana tourism industry (NNTP, 1995) and has identified tourism accommodation businesses as catalysts for tourism development and by extension for the economic growth of the country as he industry is a major source of income and employment. The accommodation business sector in Ghana is 1 00 percent private sect or owned and it characterized by many independent businesses.According to a recent survey, 69% of all tourism accommodation businesses in Ghana have less than 15 guestrooms and 88% of all tourism 2223-XX Copyright 0 2014 AUGHT Open Access- Online http// accommodation businesses have less than 25 guestrooms and only 3 percent of these tourism accommodation businesses have more than 50 rooms (Mechanics, 2011 GET, 2012). The tourism accommodation businesses landscape fleets a large number of lower rated businesses, especially those in the budget category, 68%, which are typically small family owned and operated establishments.The rapid growth in the number of small tourism accommodation businesses in Ghana and the role they play in the promotion of tourism makes it imperative for a better understanding of the drivers in the sector. Interestingly, worldwide the tourism and hospitality industries are characterized by many small firms but generally, research in the tourism accommodation business sector has focus mostly on large tourism accommodation business chains. Invariably, not much research attention has been disposed(p) to small independent especially those in developing countries such as Ghana.Although there is a growing body of high quality small business literature, much of it is general and few studies have focused on small businesses (Thomas, 1998). Majority of research on small firms has focused on the personal attributes, motivations and practices of entrepreneurs and other economic and socio-demographic factors that affect small firms in general. It IS generally acknowledged that sector differences play an important part in explaining the operations of small genuineness (Thomas, 1 998) and the tourism accommodation business sector will benefit from such recognition with a sector focused research.Whiles many tourism accommodation businesses in Ghana can generally be classified as small firms, they have peculiar characteristics that need to be given an adequate amount of attention if we are to get a better understanding of how they operate. This paper examines the motivations and challenges of small tourism accommodation business owners in Ghana to get better understanding of these factors. The outcome of the research will offer policy makers insights can influence heir support programmed for an efficient development of the tourism industry.LITERATURE REVIEW Defining Small Tourism accommodation businesses Morrison (1996) argues that traditionally the tourism industry has been dominated by small businesses and this still remains true. Globally, a common feature of businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry is that greater percentages, (95 percent), are small firms (See, Curran 1 996 Lassies and Rawson, 2006). This assertion holds in Ghana where 97 percent of all tourism firms are classified as small (NNTP, 2012).Small tourism accommodation businesses re a component of small tourism and hospitality firms, which can be cla ssified as small businesses. However, what constitutes a small business is a major challenge in the SEEM (small and medium enterprises) literature (Curran & Storey, 1993). This is acknowledged by Morrison, (1996) who states that the term small business is a difficult one to define. To date, there is no agreement in the literature about how small firms should be defined.The heterogeneity of small firms, their characteristics and global variety has led to it being defined in several ways. Storey (1994) concluded that there is no ingle, uniformly acceptable definition of a small firm. Several researchers have made significant efforts at defining small firms (See for example, Marked 1983 Gangly 1 985 Curran and Blackburn 1 991 GOES 1991 storey 1 994 Thomas 1 AAA, Addressed 1 999 Decker, Schaefer and Blander, 2006) but there is no consensus on these definitions. Existence of the numerous definitions of small firms has been attributed to the failure of most research to adequately identif y the nature Of small firms leading to 2 various definitions being used in different research contexts. Storey (1994) is of the IEEE that these various grounded define actions have been used according to the particular sector, geographic or other contexts in which the small firm is being examined. Curran et al. 19863) refer to the great deal of agonizing over the issue of definition by small businesses by researchers such as Bolton (1971 Banks and Cone (1983) and Curran and Stonewort (1 984), from which no satisfactory solutions have emerged. One reason for such diverse definitions relates to size and sector differences of small firms. Definitions at sector level which relate quantitative measures Of size, such as number of employees, sales remover, profitability and net worth, may mean that in some sectors all firms may be regarded as small, while in other sectors there are possibly no firms which are small.Burns (2001, p 8) argues, being a small firm is not just about size defined in simple statistical terms and that small firms also have other important defining characteristics. These need to be considered to have a full appreciation of a small firm. Existing literature on tourism and hospitality are not clear on definitions of small tourism and hospitality firm leading to various definitions being considered by various researches.Curran & Storey (1993) in making a case for defining small tourism and hospitality firms differently, stated that though studies of small firms in the tourism and hospitality industry reflect a liberal usage of the term small firma to that found in the general small business literature it is important to highlight the principal features of these definitions as they affect tourism and hospitality firms. There is the opinion that service firms are better understood if their distinctiveness from manufacturing firms is recognized (Voss et al. 1988). The definition of small tourism and hospitality firms Hereford must be informed by a c onsideration of what makes small tourism and hospitality firms different from other small enterprises. The above notwithstanding, in developing a definition for small tourism and hospitality firms, which includes small (STABs), it is important that the definition be both comparable to other industries, while at the same time reflecting the unique characteristics of the tourism and hospitality industry (Morrison and Conway 2007).Beaver (2002) is of similar view and states that small firm definitions may need to incorporate the specific nature and context of respective industrial sectors if they are to be meaningful. Although defining small tourism and hospitality firms along tangible measures such as number of rooms and employees are essential, the intangible and qualitative features inherent in small firm ownership and management in general and at sector levels also needs some consideration if a meaningful definition is to be derived (Burns, 2001).Such intangible and qualitative fea tures include lifestyle business motivations that have been identified in congenator to micro and small-scale tourism firms (Locker and Morrison, 1999 Buick et al. , 2000 own and Carlson, 2000 Kampala, 2004). From this perspective, qualitative social rewards may be priorities over those of a quantitatively defined economic nature (Appleton et al. , 2004). Thus, Morrison and Conway (2007) argue that any meaningful definition of small tourism and hospitality firms need the recognition, justification and gang of the associated quantifiable and qualified features.