DETERMINANTS OF GROWTH OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN TOURS AND TRAVEL INDUSTRY IN NAIROBI, KENYA

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine the determinants of growth of small and medium enterprises in tours and travel industry in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to establish how managerial skills influence growth of small and medium enterprises in tours and travel industry in Nairobi, Kenya and to examine how entrepreneurial skills influence growth of small and medium enterprises in tours and travel industry in Nairobi, Kenya. Census survey method was used to ensure representation from 195 tours and travel firms registered by the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) classification. In this study, growth of SMEs in tours and travel industry was dependent on managerial skills and entrepreneurial skills. The primary data was collected through the use of questionnaires. The secondary data was obtained from published documents such as journals, periodicals, magazines and reports to supplement the primary data. Data was analyzed with help of SPSS version 22. The study established that these variables were very significant therefore needed to be considered in any effort to boost growth of SMEs in tours and travel industry in the study area. The study therefore identified the variables as critical determinants of growth of SMEs in tours and travel industry. The finding revealed that increase in independent variables (managerial skills and entrepreneurial skills) led to increase in growth of SMEs. Managerial skills contributed more to growth of SMEs. Additional studies should be carried out to establish how Kenyan SMEs are fearing own and the challenges they are facing which include infrastructure, environment related problems, diversity of taxes and levies, unfair competition and dumping, marketing related issues, non availability of raw materials and business opportunities and diversification. More should also be done on medium scale enterprise