Entrepreneurship in tourism

ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN TOURISM

Definition

According to the businessdictionary.com, entrepreneurship is “the capacity and willingness to develop, organize and manage a business venture along with any of its risks in order to make a profit.”

Meaning of cottage industries

A cottage industry is defined by collinsdictionary.com as “…a small business that is run from someone's home, especially one that involves a craft such as knitting or pottery.” This definition suggests that the employees in this sector work from their own homes or from someone else’s home. They mainly use their own tools, mostly not industrial machines. Some examples of cottage industries include, but are not limited to, leather works, ceramics and pottery, bread making, tie and dye, hair-weaving, painting, cloth weaving, raffia weaving etc.

ITEMS PRODUCED IN COTTAGE INDUSTRIES

Leather products

The leather industry is a very important industry in the tourism sector. Though certain states are noted for the production of raw leather and the end products of leather, it is also found in other communities as cottage industries. Some of the products produced in the leather industry include shoes, bags, wallets and belts. These leather products are displayed in shops patronized by tourists. It is a source of income for the locals and they can be said to be an economic contributor to the destination country.

Pottery products

Another essential aspect in cottage industry is the production of pottery. The main source of raw material is clay which is abundant in Nigeria especially and many parts of the world too. In this industry, cooking pots are produced, water pots and flower pots are also produced. A more advance form of production includes that of floor and wall tiles. The production of floor and wall tiles, for example, helps in the finishing work on buildings such as hotels, motels, restaurants, monuments etc. Some tourists also may decide to take home some pottery products as souvenirs.  

Beads products

Beads form part of the culture of the people of West Africa and elsewhere. It is an important cottage industry. Beads are used to create ornaments for sale. Some of the items produced from beads include, earrings and necklaces. Some very popular beads are Jamaica beads and Ghana beads.

Clothing

Clothing is another important aspect of the cottage industry. They are items that people wear on their body. Fabrics are locally produced in African tourist destinations usually with cotton cultivated locally though some of the fabrics are also imported. Tourists are interested in buying such locally produced clothing and taking them back where they came from. Some of the clothing items one can get on the Nigerian clothing market include clothes, adire, kampalla etc. and other accompaniments like akwa-ocha, aso ofi, aso oke, akwete etc.

Cane and raffia products

Cane and raffia are used in the production of chairs, beds, ward drops, coat hungers etc. The production of these items also forms an important cottage industry. Tourists are fascinated by the range of items produced in this sector. 

ALSO READ:
Service delivery in tourism
Types of tourism - domestic and international

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