Tourism Entrepreneurship among Women in Goa: An Emerging Trend

Transcription

1 Tourism Entrepreneurship among Women in Goa: An Emerging Trend 1.INTRODUCTION: Prof. Smita Sanzgiri G.V.M.S G.G.P.R. College Of Commerce And Economics, Ponda Goa In India, the entry of women in business is relatively a new phenomenon. However, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor has confirmed the increase in female start up rate across the globe. Research in the area has proved that it is the spread of education and the enhanced level of awareness about business opportunities which has made the women entrepreneurs venture into business. The local tourism industry tends to get developed based on the historical, cultural,natural and recreational assets of the region. A boost to the local tourism thus leads to the economic development of the region. In order to make the economy grow stronger,a proper integration has to be achieved between entrepreneurship and tourism. It becomes essential to identify factors favourable for creation of tourism entreptreneurship ecosystem. Tourism entrepreneurship works towards the community empowerment.however tourism sustainability demands major attention.it is but essential to understand the process of tourism in its right perspective, securing right information about the tourists visiting the area, the required quantum of investment that is essential for successful development of tourism. Only then, high quality entrepreneurship can be built in the tourism industry. 1.1ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Due to the high growth potential, women owned SMEs in developing countries are of particular interest (IFC Report 2011). Women enterprise is usually inclined towards smaller firms and they do make significant contribution towards the development of economy. Out of the formal SMEs in emerging market, nearly 8 to 10 ml (31% to 38%) are with female ownership. The proportion of women is 30 % to 32% of micro enterprises, 30% to 36% of small SMEs and 17% to 21% of medium sized enterprises. The human capital accompanied by formal education and required business skills is an indicator of an enterprised economy. However lack of proper education and lack of developed skills often impact the growth potential. Thus it is of vital importance to develop entrepreneurial potential through various training programmes and to evaluate the effectiveness of those programmes. Needs Analysis Survey of different regions specific to different needs can also be targeted. Processing the goods and services from women owned enterprises with the government assistance can lead to an increase in their contribution to economic development. Equalising the workforce participation rate among men and women can also add to the empowerment of women. Country like U.K. could increase its GDP per capita by 0.5% per year by equalizing the rate. According to a study of 59 economies by GEM, women are creating business at a greater rate than men specially Ghana, Nigeria and Thailand. The start up rates are nearly equal in Brazil, Ecuador, Uganda and Switzerland. Thus women create jobs, contribute towards innovation and work towards increasing the GDP of various economies. > RJSSM: Volume: 04, Number: 09, January 2015 Page 252

2 1.2TOURISM IN GOA: AN OVERVIEW As far as India is concerned, it ranks 38 th among the countries in the world in terms of foreign tourists arrivals. It is the 3rd among countries with fastest growing tourism. The rate of domestic tourists has also increased twofold. Goa has emerged to be the ideal tourist destination over the years. Travel Leisure India and South Asian Travel Magazine has given Goa the honour of being the Best Tourist Centre. As compared to 2012, there is 12% increase in the tourists in Goa during the year Goa offers varied business opportunities in tourism with regard to manufacturing,trading and service. Wide range of resources, cultural diversity and peace loving local people add to the beauty of the region. Women of Goa are into tourism entrepreneurship catering to the demands of domestic as well as foreign tourists. Most of them are into handicrafts, consumable items, food processing, crosshe and service enterprises.the items manufactured have demand from specific outlets like hotels, departmental stores, Aparant,exhibitions,trade fairs outside Goa. 2. LITERATURE REVIEW: The decreased employment opportunities, the motive of creating additional family income and the need for professional activity has made rural women utilize their knowledge and skill. (Anthopoulo 2006) Shah (1995) and Chandra (1997) reveal certain diverse characteristics of women entrepreneurs. It is found that women entrepreneurs emerge from business as well as non business background and are found to be engaged in traditional as well as modern entrepreneurial activities. Small and micro enterprises have been found relatively beneficial to women because of several opportunities offered to earn extra income and increase the status. (Gibson 2001) Bouquet (1982) and Garcia Ramon et al.(1995) have discussed farm tourism activities of women in UK AND Spain and their increased recognition they have earned through their work and the increased scope to interact with the tourists. The economic development is sought to be achieved by making the female labour join the local economies. Various reforms and initiative have also supported the growth of entrepreneurship among women.(kazakopoulos & Gidarkou 2003) There is a research evidence which shows that required education and economic independence always leads to improved self-esteem among women. 3.OBJECTIVES: I) To determine the socio demographic profile of women entrepreneurs in Goa. II) To understand the tourism entrepreneurial opportunities for women in Goa. III) To study the perception of self employed women about tourism and level of empowerment. IV) To suggest measures for introducing high quality entrepreneurship among women. 4.METHODOLOGY: The present study has covered the profile of 150 women entrepreneurs who are engaged in manufacturing, trading and service enterprises. The sample was randomly selected and a questionnaire was administered to understand the socio economic profile and likert scale consisting of 12 questions was used to assess the perception of women entrepreneurs with regard to social and economic empowerment and the impact of tourism on their status. Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 79% indicated the reliability of questionnaire. Data analysis was done using the SPSS. > RJSSM: Volume: 04, Number: 09, January 2015 Page 253

3 Table 1 Respondents surveyed Variables Categories Number Percent Age % % % 50 & above 21 14% Education Primary 18 12% S.S.C % Secondary % Graduation % Post Graduation % Marital Status Married % Single 33 22% Widow 03 2% Type of Business Manufacturing 54 36% Trading 33 22% Service 63 42% Monthly Income Upto % % % Above % Yearly Sales Manufacturing % Upto 8 Lakhs Trading % Upto 5 Lakhs Upto 10 Lakhs 63 42% Table 2 Perception about the level of satisfaction Statements N Mean S.D. Generation of substantial income Earned recognition due to work High demand for local product due to tourism Market for products generated because of tourism Made me totally independent Family support has helped to take up venture Tourism has helped to increase standard of living Tourism has given boost to economy of the region Tourism industry has empowered women > RJSSM: Volume: 04, Number: 09, January 2015 Page 254

4 Able to take independent decisions Increased level of confidence Increased income has led to family growth FINDINGS The socio economic profile included the details about age, education, monthly income,marital status, type of business and annual sales. Majority of respondents were in the age group of years (38.66%), whereas (26%) were in the age group of years. As far as education was concerned, nearly % had completed secondary school and an equal percentage were found to be graduates. The monthly income of 34% was above rupees. Most of the respondents, which accounted for 76 % were found to be married with 22% being single. Almost, 42 % were into service, 36 % into manufacturing and 33 % into trading enterprises. Their yearly sales ranged from 8 lakhs for manufacturing enterprises and upto 10 lakhs for service enterprises. As far as the perception of respondents was concerned, family support was considered important with a mean score of 3.51 followed by increased demand and the market for local product because of tourism, relation of income with the overall growth of family and strengthening of the economy because of tourism with a mean score of The respondents are of the strong opinion that tourism has empowered local women with a score of 3.13 (Table 1). Low the standard deviation, the statements are found to be more consistent as compared to the statement with higher SD. Increased demand for local products (SD 1.096),the family support (SD 1.105) and the perceived increased ability (SD 1.12) to take independent decisions because of economic empowerment depict lower values. 5.SUGGESTIONS: I) To conduct Needs Analysis Survey to understand in particular the training needs. II) To expand research to understand the need requirement. III) To increase the level of investment in communication and infrastructure. IV) To empower the local community to make informed and appropriate decisions. V) To utilize and manage human resource for successful development of tourism and sustaining tourism entrepreneurship. 6.CONCLUSION It is indeed essential to support the efforts of all the small businesses and the entrepreneurial ventures which are encompassed in the tourism industry of the region.some economies do thrive in any uncertain conditions while some others have to struggle. Proper models need to be designed so that which can assist in planning entrepreneurial activity and foster a culture which can bring about creativity and continous innovations in the region. REFERENCES: Hisrich R.D and Brush C. G (1986): The Women Entrepreneurs: Starting Finance and Managing a Successful New Enterprise, Washington, D.C. Health & Co. Lalita Devi (1982): Status and Employment of Women in India, B.R. Publication Corporation, New Delhi. Lynch, P. and Johns, N. (2004) International Tourism Networks, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management,16, 3, > RJSSM: Volume: 04, Number: 09, January 2015 Page 255

5 Meethan, K. (2003) Mobile cultures? Hybridity, tourism and cultural change. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change 1 (1), pp Michael, E. (2003), Tourism Micro-clusters, Tourism Economics, Morrison, A. and Thomas, R. (1999) The Future of Small Firms in the Hospitality Industry, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 11, 4, Middleton, V. T. C. & Clarke, J. R Marketing in travel and tourism. 3rd edition. Oxford: Butterworth- Heinemann. - bib69up Lynch, P. and Morrison, A. (2007) The Role of Networks, in Michael, E. (ed.), Micro-Clusters and Networks: The growth of tourism, Elsevier, London Michael, E. (2003), Tourism Micro-clusters, Tourism Economics, 9, 2, Morrison, A., Lynch, P. and Johns, N. (2004), International Tourism Networks, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management,16, 3, S.P.Bansal & Jaswinder Kumar(2011),women empowerment &self sustainabilitythrough tourism: A case study ofself employed women in handicraft sector in KulluVally of Himachal Pradesh,Himachal Pradesh University Journal. > RJSSM: Volume: 04, Number: 09, January 2015 Page 256