INVESTMENT-LED ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM: LESSONS FOR SDIS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

ABSTRACT

One critical theme in the promotion of tourism projects in South Africa, particularly concerning Spatial Development Initiatives, relates to the importance of promoting the small, medium and micro-enterprise economy (SMME). The activities of the SMME sector within the South African tourism industry remain little researched. The objective in this article is analyse the international literature concerning particularly the experience in developing countries of the impact of investments in the tourism sector and of the potential for SMME development in tourism. It is argued that in promoting investment-led entrepreneurship within tourism. South Africa can learn from the lessons of experience of the SMME economy in the developing world.