Study of Dimensions and Components of Tourism Entrepreneurship Development using the Grounded Theory Methodology (Case Study: Qeshm Island)

Abstract Tourism industry enjoys assorted capabilities for innovation, entrepreneurship and the creation of job opportunities. The geographic extent and location, diverse and unique tourism resources, and the sovereignty of Free Zone laws could make Qeshm as the leading tourism industry in the country. Despite efforts, Qeshm has not achieved its distinctive position among the tourist destinations, and, tourism entrepreneurship opportunities have not been well exploited. This qualitative study was conducted to identify dimensions and components of tourism entrepreneurship development in Qeshm Island using a data-based theory method, and, 45 tourism experts were interviewed. The obtained data were analyzed in three phases of open, axial and selective coding, and, the factors affecting tourism entrepreneurship were identified. The relation between these factors was demonstrated in the paradigm of tourism entrepreneurship development in the form of socio-cultural factors, human resources, amendments to laws and regulations, economic factors, infrastructures, tourist attractions, and the improvement of sponsors. In the present study, human resources were investigated as the central theme of the process, and, other categories were theoretically connected to it. By providing the dimensions and components of tourism entrepreneurship development in Qeshm, findings of this study in a paradigmatic model could be a basis for the establishment of the tourism ecosystem, and a foundation for creating employment and prosperity of tourism sector in Qeshm Island.