Creation of tourism entrepreneurship in Manabí (Ecuador) in the post COVID-19 era. Profiles, gender, motivations and limitations

Abstract

The entrepreneurial profile has been a focus of research that seeks to identify common characteristics and competencies of entrepreneurs. In this context, this research identifies the segments of tourism entrepreneurs, their motivations, characteristics, and the problems faced by the post-COVID-19 pandemic tourism entrepreneurship sector in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. For this, a questionnaire has been prepared with semi-structured questions that is organized into three blocks that relate the demographic variables, entrepreneurial activity; and post-pandemic reactivation COVID-19; Contrasted aspects through descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. A sample size of 384 surveys to tourism enterprises was determined. The results have identified two groups of entrepreneurs. In the first place, the entrepreneurs who group cultural motivations stand out, and who group 43.5% of the sample, characterized by a family tradition and where cultural aspects stand out. Secondly, we have the entrepreneurs who only consider the work variable, which represent 56.5% of the sample and who are only interested in increasing income and earning a living, because employment is scarce. Undoubtedly, all this means a difference between the values ​​and motivations that lead to starting a tourism business.