Contribution of informal sector women entrepreneurs to the tourism industry of Ethekwini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal South Africa: barriers and issues

Abstract

Informal sector entrepreneurs, particularly women, are providers of livelihoods in many poor and marginalised communities, especially in developing countries, including South Africa. These entrepreneurs are linked largely with the tourism industry by exchanging their goods, services, skills and knowledge with the industry. They are, however, prohibited from trading in some designated areas. This prohibition is closely related to the nature of the sector and types of business activities performed. This article aims to establish whether women entrepreneurs from the informal sector contribute significantly to the tourism industry and thus to the economy of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Focus-group discussions, interviews, observations and content analysis were used to collect data from these entrepreneurs and leaders in the eThekwini Municipality. The findings suggest that the tourism industry is a crucial sector in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in terms of its contribution to the economy and is closely supported by informal sector entrepreneurs. However, even though these women entrepreneurs are regarded as contributing significantly to the tourism industry in this Municipality, their contribution is limited by a variety of reasons ranging from a lack of business skills and knowledge and the nature of their businesses to the by-laws of the municipality. A proper understanding of the importance of the informal sector entrepreneurs to the tourism industry and the revision of by-laws to accommodate issues involving these entrepreneurs will give this sector an opportunity to strengthen the tourism industry and thus the economic base of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.