Analysis of the entrepreneurial experience of young local tourism creators to improve local settlement in the era of local extinction: A phenomenological approach focusing on the regional specialized tourism

The purpose of this study is to examine the entrepreneurial experiences of young local tourism creators and uncover the essence of their experiences. Applying Giorgi's (1985) analysis method, this study tried to provide a comprehensive description of both individual and collective experiences through two key research questions: What are the emotional meanings of (1) the entrepreneurial limitations and difficulties that local tourism creators face (RQ1), and (2) the role of local governments (RQ2)? Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with young tourism entrepreneurs having less than 7 years of experience, and were analyzed using Giorgi et al.'s (2017) 5-step procedure. For RQ1, analysis yielded 125 meaning units, condensed into 19 transformed meaning units, 6 sub-themes, and ultimately 3 overarching themes. Participants made efforts to develop tourism brand narratives aligned with local characteristics despite the difficulties they experienced in establishing new markets and attracting customers in their areas. They reported feeling isolated in facing these obstacles yet demonstrated a profound sense of responsibility. Regarding RQ2, analysis produced 94 meaning units, refined into 14 transformed meaning units, 5 sub-themes, and 2 primary themes. Participants expressed complex, multifaceted perspectives about their relationships with local governments and showed clear expectations for governmental support to foster sustainable growth. These study findings establish a foundation for future studies on the entrepreneurial experiences of local tourism creators and offer valuable insights for developing policies to support expand local settlement.