Micro and Small Enterprises Engagement in Pro-poor Tourism: Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

Pro-poor Tourism (PPT) emphasizes sustainability and development issues, particularly the benefits that can be drawn from these. Again, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in tourism have been documented as a remarkable source of employment, and generator of income, which significantly impact the livelihoods of underprivileged local communities. Even though PPT is documented as a substantial approach towards reducing poverty, inadequate attention has been given to understanding the relationship between poor local communities and their challenges while being engaged in tourism MSEs. This study, therefore, investigates the challenges surmounting the engagement of local communities in tourism MSEs to implement the PPT initiative in the context of Bangladesh. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore the comprehensive information of the study. A total of 25 interviews were conducted to collect data using a semi-structured in-depth interview. The findings yielded insights into the challenges faced by poor communities and the process of how to overcome these challenges, such as initial capital investment, deficiency of technical skills and tourism knowledge, administrative exploitation, conservativeness of the society, expensive living cost, and the threats posed by seasonality. The implications for managerial practice and local communities are also discussed.