A typology of challenges facing township micro-tour operators in Soweto, South Africa

Post-apartheid South Africa created opportunities for black and marginalized entrepreneurs to venture into township tourism and to contribute towards the growth of the mainstream economy. However, a number of challenges threaten the long-term survival, profitability and growth of businesses, due to some distinct characteristics of the business environment. This study explored the typologies of challenges faced by micro-tour operators in the South West Townships, officially referred to as Soweto, South Africa. The qualitative study design used in-depth interviews to collect data from ten (10) micro-tour operators. Data analysis utilised content and thematic analysis to identify the typologies of the business characteristics and challenges. The original contribution of the research is the discovery of a distinct typology of challenges affecting micro township-based tour operators categorized by three levels of challenges: macro, meso, and micro. These challenges range from the transformation of the tourism industry, discord in entrepreneurship policy intentions and intervention approaches, historic infrastructural challenges, perception of townships’ general economy, and background based on the negative political impact of the apartheid system. The study concludes that the state of micro-tourism enterprises in townships is still underdeveloped as a result of the challenges confronted by these enterprises that hinder their growth and sustainability. The study recommends an inclusive policy framework, consisting of plans for township tourism development in Soweto and South Africa in general. Furthermore, township micro-tour operators in Soweto should formulate a formal sustainable business strategy that outlines the business objectives and its purpose.