Possibilities and constraints to development of small-scale entrepreneurs that cater for the tourism industry in Ngamiland district of Northern Botswana

Abstract

The objective of my study is to examine possibilities and constraints that small entrepreneurs in handicrafts enterprises in Ngamiland District face in terms of establishment, growth and development of their activities and to discuss measures that could be taken to overcome the constraints that they face. A network-oriented approach is applied and the methodology is quantitative. The study notes that the problems surrounding small handicraft enterprises are linked to poor access to finance and lack of education and training. This has negative consequences for marketing skills and entrepreneurship. Other constraints are competition from cheaper products from neighbouring countries and lack of raw materials. The attitude of the small handicrafts entrepreneurs towards the intervention by the government in the production and marketing of crafts is a negative one. They hold that, government has over the past years failed to provide the necessary assistance and support. At the same time the link between government and NGOs has been noted to be weak and characterized by poor information flow. This study suggests that tourism strategies should effectively address the problems of those activities it seeks to embraces. Therefore, new strategies and policies are needed that will contribute to the ability of the small handicrafts entrepreneurs to increase the control they have over their activities as well as their relation with each other. Networks as a form of social capital are regarded as important in order to afford services that are beyond their reach as individuals, such as marketing and transporting of raw materials. In addition, cultural tourism may help the small entrepreneurs to obtain a better footing in the market.