Female Entrepreneurship in Small Tourism and Hospitality Firms in Poland

• Published in: Academica Turistica 2024, Vol.17 (1), p.3-22
• Main Authors: Zapalska, Alina M., McCutcheon, Robin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1855-3303; 2335-4194
• DOI: 10.26493/2335-4194.17.3-22

The paper examines characteristics, strategies, and the business environment of ten small firms within the tourism and hospitality industry in the southern region of Poland. The qualitative analysis is based on online surveys and Zoom interviews with ten female entrepreneurs regarding economic, sociocultural, and environmental factors contributing to the firms’ success. The results indicate that female entrepreneurs developed resiliency to overcome market challenges during their first years of operation, the financial crisis of 2007, and the COVID-19 pandemic. They faced numerous difficulties that hindered their business growth and the most significant barrier included limited availability of low-cost financing. Their strategies focused on transformation aimed towards sustainability, public involvement, conservation, education, and green efforts, which contributed to the firms’ growth. Recognizing market characteristics and the needs of their local communities, employees, and customers as well as cultural preservation and environmental sustainability have been critical to the firms’ growth and entrepreneurial success.