Reassessing the Journeys of Migrant Entrepreneurs in the Hospitality Industry: A Case Study of Selected Countries

Author(s) : Eirini Daskalaki

Source : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34067-3_8

Abstract:

“More and more skilled migrants are entering Western and non-Western countries to search for job opportunities and some end up becoming entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry. This happens because the hospitality industry creates various employment opportunities across different departments, and aspiring migrant entrepreneurs stand more chance of exploiting business opportunities. However, such opportunities are short lived as they often encounter socio-cultural, financial and business challenges during their adjustment in their host countries, and have to deal with a variety of prevailing behaviours, attitudes and conditions. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews from selected countries—Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates—this chapter presents and analyses the lived experiences of migrant entrepreneurs, exploring their motives and circumstances, as well as influences on their decisions to become entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry. It further describes their career journeys and how they cope with the prevailing issues in the sector. The chapter concludes that migrant entrepreneurs have the power to define economic behaviour and economic activities, and the capacity to influence the economic performance and development of their host countries in both positive and negative ways.”