Migrant tourism entrepreneurs in peripheral Norwegian settings

Abstract

In rural areas where entrepreneurial activity among locals remains low, migrant tourism entrepreneurs may play an important role by contributing new ideas and vitality in the tourism sector. Previous studies on small firms in tourism has presented conflicting evidence with respect to motivations, indicating that a preoccupation with lifestyle may conspire against business motivation, service quality standards and profitability among such operators. In this study of migrant tourism entrepreneurs in peripheral Norwegian settings, semi-structured interviews were conducted with owner-operators of eight businesses, including both Norwegian and international informants. Human capital and motivations pertaining to the migration, business start-up, and the choice of the tourism industry were mapped. Their cooperative practices and actions taken to become part of their local communities were also inquired into. Migrant tourism entrepreneurs were found to be heterogeneous. Higher education, tourism sector experience, and previous business ownership was found among respondents. While there were cases of informants migrating for the sake of becoming self-employed, a majority were motivated by a desire for rural living. Some respondents were “tourism professionals” and greatly enjoyed tourism work. Not all respondents were highly driven in their business efforts, and pluractivity was found to be an important factor. The migrant entrepreneurs in this study preferred informal cooperation, and largely adapted to the cooperative practices of their locations. Business owners categorised as “professional managers” were found to have a stronger business focus and cooperated motivated by self-interest. Informants differed greatly with respect to actions taken to become part of their local communities.