After the Fire: An Assessment of Small Business Preparedness and Recovery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

ABSTRACT

For tourism-dependent communities, disaster recovery preparedness is essential for the retail and hospitality industries because they are often under the greatest threat of natural disasters. Using the National Disaster Recovery Framework, this study focuses on understanding natural disaster preparedness and recovery for small businesses within the tourism community of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Researchers utilized an exploratory qualitative approach and conducted interviews via referrals with small business owners/managers (n = 11). Findings revealed a general, yet critical, lack of disaster preparedness that inhibited a swift and timely business recovery. Fundamental issues point to the need to prepare for unexpected disasters to aid recovery.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural disaster
• small business
• wildfire
• business preparedness
• business recovery