Many rural areas around the world face economic challenges, partly due to their peripheral locations and also because of their declining economies. With the rise of globalisation and urbanisation, many people who lived in rural areas before, have decided to move to urban centres, either for the better infrastructure that cities have, or in search of the employment opportunities that industries in cities offer. Furthermore, this means that many rural regions and towns are facing dislocation and decline (Stolte 2000:111).
One response to the decline of traditional rural industries, such as agriculture and mining, has been the emergence of tourism orientated entrepreneurial activities (Stolte 2000:111). Indeed, many people indigenous to rural areas see tourism as a chance for them to stay and live in their region or town, without reducing their standard of living.
The motives of the entrepreneurs in rural areas are various; meaning that not all of them become entrepreneurs because they are concerned about unemployment. Moreover many entrepreneurs see rural tourism as an opportunity to live a certain lifestyle, and many even move from urban areas to rural areas seeking the opportunity to develop ideas and fulfil their dreams.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Defining an Entrepreneur
3. The characteristics and the environmental context of entrepreneurship
4. Examples of rural entrepreneurs in New Zealand
5. Prosperity through tourism entrepreneurship in rural New Zealand
5.1 Whalewatching in Kaikoura
5.2 Roadside spectacle in Tirau
6. Issues related to the entrepreneur in the rural environment
7. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay investigates the vital role entrepreneurs play in rural development by examining how individual innovation and leadership can counteract economic decline and revitalize rural communities.
- The definition and core characteristics of entrepreneurs in a modern context.
- The influence of the socio-economic environment on entrepreneurial success and failure.
- Case studies of tourism-led regeneration in Kaikoura and Tirau, New Zealand.
- The social and physical impacts of tourism entrepreneurship on rural communities.
- Strategies for balancing business objectives with community and environmental preservation.
Excerpt from the Book
Prosperity through tourism entrepreneurship in rural New Zealand
Kaikoura on the north east coast of the South Island is a stunning example of entrepreneurship and rural development. Until the 1980’s Kaikoura was only seen as a stopping point for rail passengers and motorists on State Highway 1, for either a tea break or maybe an overnight stay. With the depression and economic decline of the 1980’s, Kaikoura began to suffer economically. The depression caused a high unemployment rate, especially among the local Māori population, who lost jobs from the restructuring of the railway system. In addition, the town was affected by changing transportation preferences, in that there was a decrease in trains stopping, and that modern car travellers were more able to travel larger distances (Horn et al 1998:11).
Out of this situation there grew the necessity to establish new means of employment, and as such, a solution was sought, and found, by local Iwi, in the form of Whalewatching. In this case, the local Iwi adopted the role of the entrepreneur, led by group leader Bill Solomon, who had the original idea. The Iwi developed their natural resources, in the form of the marine mammals that inhabit the sea off the coast of the town, into an attraction (Lewis et al. 1996).
Despite some starting problems and issues in the community, whalewatching is now booming and visitor numbers are growing each year. Indeed, not only the whalewatching is gaining economic success, but also the wider community is growing, as accommodations and restaurants boom as well, due to the multiplier effect. The transition from dependence on railways to tourism, is best illustrated by the evolution of the railway station into the so-called whaleway station, which is now used as the visitor centre (Lewis et al. 1996).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Discusses the economic challenges facing rural areas due to globalization and urbanization, identifying tourism entrepreneurship as a key response to rural decline.
2. Defining an Entrepreneur: Explores historical and modern definitions, emphasizing innovation, risk-taking, and the creation of new business opportunities.
3. The characteristics and the environmental context of entrepreneurship: Analyzes the essential traits of entrepreneurs and the reciprocal relationship between the individual and their operating environment.
4. Examples of rural entrepreneurs in New Zealand: Introduces the New Zealand context, highlighting how entrepreneurial spirit is embedded in local culture and driven by necessity.
5. Prosperity through tourism entrepreneurship in rural New Zealand: Examines specific case studies in Kaikoura and Tirau, detailing how tourism transformed these towns from economic depression to thriving destinations.
6. Issues related to the entrepreneur in the rural environment: Examines the potential for social and environmental conflicts arising from entrepreneurial activities in small, tight-knit communities.
7. Conclusion: Summarizes the essay's findings, affirming that entrepreneurs act as critical agents of rural development by influencing social and economic change.
Keywords
Entrepreneurship, Rural Development, Tourism, Innovation, New Zealand, Kaikoura, Tirau, Economic Decline, Risk Management, Community Conflict, Regional Prosperity, Entrepreneurial Characteristics, Ecotourism, Socio-economic Impact, Business Leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research examines the role and impact of entrepreneurs on rural development, specifically within the tourism sector in New Zealand.
What are the central thematic fields covered in the work?
The work covers entrepreneurial theory, regional economic challenges, tourism as a catalyst for rural regeneration, and the social dynamics between entrepreneurs and local communities.
What is the main research question or goal?
The primary goal is to investigate how individual entrepreneurs impact the rural environment and to define their specific contribution to rural development.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The paper utilizes a literature-based theoretical approach combined with empirical case study analysis of two specific New Zealand townships.
What topics are addressed in the main body?
The main body covers the definition of entrepreneurship, the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs, case studies of tourism transformation, and the resulting community conflicts and benefits.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include entrepreneurship, rural development, tourism, innovation, and community impact.
How did Kaikoura specifically use its local resources to transition to tourism?
Kaikoura leveraged its natural marine life, led by the local Iwi, to transform the town from a neglected railway stop into a booming destination for whale watching.
What unique challenges did the entrepreneur Henry Clothier face in Tirau?
Clothier faced the challenge of regenerating a town suffering from economic decline by creating unique "roadside spectacles" and attracting non-local business investment, which initially created social tension with "newcomers."
- Quote paper
- Achim Munz (Author), 2002, The Role of the Entrepreneurs in Rural Development - New Zealand -Tourism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/6676
