Entrepreneurial Intention: South African Youth’s Willingness to Start Tourism Businesses

Previous studies have recognised entrepreneurship as a tool capable of driving a nation’s economy. This study explored tourism entrepreneurial intention of South African youth, and analysed relationships between entrepreneurship statements on the one hand, and entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial impact on the other hand. A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from simple-randomly selected 220 youth living in Mtubatuba Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate data analyses yield information to address research objectives. Significant proportion of the youth have entrepreneurial intention, these youth want to solve problems, are willing to pursuing their dreams, have internal locus of control, have positive outlook, have the ability to identify opportunities, and above all have strong sense of empathy. South African Department of Labour needs to develop an operational plan to provide business education, entrepreneurial skills, and relevant support that can empower the youth to start their own businesses. This study validates the alignment of entrepreneurship roles to those of making a difference, innovation, leadership, and self-belief; and shares a positive outlook for the South African economy if the enabling political and economic conditions are created.