Investigating the sustainability of small to medium tourism enterprises in Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the sustainability of Small to Medium Tourism Enterprise (SMTE) in Windhoek, Namibia. The study adopted a qualitative approach, guided by a case study design with special focus on SMTEs as the subject matter required an in-depth inquiry. The population of the study was drawn from a wider range of tourism organisations, associations, and government bodies such as Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), and Emerging Tourism Enterprises Association (ETEA), tour operations, travel agencies, souvenirs shops, lodges, and guest houses. The study used face to face interviews to collect data which was analysed using thematic analysis. Correspondingly, data revealed the challenges faced by SMTEs in achieving growth and development in Windhoek; lack of business plans, poor costing and pricing, lack of management skills, inability to manage growth, poor financial management control, lack of access to finance and lack of training. The researcher recommended that the SMTEs should seek for professional’s experts who can assist them with creating fundable and concrete business plans, invest in training and development of its staff members to improve financial management and other aspects that need improvement in the organisation, and must have the option of appointing experienced managers to lead their organisations. Recommendations for further studies include a study on the effectiveness of Small, and Medium Enterprise (SME) policies in Namibia in relation to challenges such as access to funds, access to land and access to high costs of utilities. This is very important because it assists policy makers to evaluate the viability of SME policies.