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Backpackers: The next generation?
(STEs) play a critical role in tourism development (Page et al., 1999), potentially
offering the first (and only) contact tourists might have with local businesses in
any given region (Thomas & Thomas, 2006). Hawkins notes that STEs offer the
entry point for visitor spending in the local area (Hawkins, 2004). They have
been flourishing since the mid 1990s as a result of the burgeoning interest in and
demand for differentiated tourism products (Poon, 1993; Thomas, 1998). Small
firms play an important role in new product innovation and specialisation
(Carter, 1996). Ateljevic and Doorne (2000a, p. 379) argue that by limiting the
scope of STEs, some owners make a conscious choice to “strike a balance
between economic performance and the sustainability of sociocultural and
environmental values”.
Family businesses can be broadly categorised in one of two ways: as family
centred businesses or business centred families (Singer & Donohu, 1992). In New
Zealand, lifestyle appears important to many of these entrepreneurs. Page,
Forer, and Lawton (1999) find that owners and operators of STEs are attracted to
the business by a combination of factors: lifestyle, enjoyment of the work,
wanting to be their own bosses. In addition, a few saw it as a way of easing into
retirement (Page et al., 1999). Dewhurst and Horobin (1998, p. 30) note that these
entrepreneurs may define success not as much by economic gain as by “the
ability to perpetuate their chosen lifestyle”. Ateljevic and Doorne (2000a)
support that finding, encouraged that it moves the debate beyond the usual
development and business growth as unique success indicators into an
acceptance of social and cultural values as co-equal indicators of success. Shaw
and Williams (2004) further refine the discussion by suggesting that individuals
may be located on a continuum between materialistic and non-materialistic
goals. However, a 2007 study indicates that owners are still most motivated by
wishing to develop a profitable business, be challenged by the work, and be
their own bosses; in that study, lifestyle ranks only sixth in importance (TRREC,
2007a, p. 14).
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